Representing the vintage version of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique was created in 1998 to mark the 700^th anniversary of the Grimaldi family’s accession to the throne of the Principality. Raced along the same route through the streets of Monaco, it is reserved exclusively for classic racing cars, making it unique in its kind. Although initially intended as a one-off event, it created such a stir that its organisers decided to repeat it every two years.

Over the years, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique has become a favourite meeting place for devotees of classic cars and attracts collectors from around the world, especially the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy. Every two years, it brings together over 200 vehicles, all of which were legends in their time, including models by Bugatti, Delage, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Maserati and Ferrari, as well as Formula 1 cars built before 1979 by brands such as Brabham, Lotis and Williams.

In keeping with the spirit of this extraordinary race, Chopard presents the 2010 edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chronograph. Equipped with a mechanical self-winding chronograph movement chronometer-certified by the COSC – a sure token of reliability and precision – this sophisticated watch has all the attributes one would expect from a high-performance mechanical timepiece. Protected by a 42.50 mm-diameter case in steel or 18-carat rose gold and water-resistant to 50 metres, the self-winding movement has a 48-hour power reserve which drives the hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, a date window and a chronograph function with a central seconds hand along with 30-minute and 12-hour counters. The case-back bears a special “Grand Prix de Monaco Historique” engraving.

This Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chronograph 2010 is as aesthetically and technically daring as the “speed machines” that inspired it. Its subtle silver-coloured dial is adorned with a concentric guilloché motif and luminescent hour-markers enhanced by a minute circle in black and orange on the steel version and black and blue for the gold version, as well as a black anodized aluminium bezel incorporating silver and orange or blue markers.

The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chronograph 2010 is available in steel either on a black perforated barenia strap complete with orange stitching, or on a steel bracelet, as well as in 18-carat rose gold on a perforated black barenia strap with blue stitching – a luxurious version in a limited edition of 250. In both cases, the wristband security is enhanced by a Chopard-engraved folding clasp in steel or 18-carat rose gold.