British luxury watch maker Christopher Ward expands their Motorsport collection with 4 new COSC-certified chronometers designed to celebrate the winning drivers from the inaugural Grand Prix races in France (1906), Italy (1921), Belgium (1925) and Great Britain (1926).
The design of these new additions to Christopher Ward’s Motorsport range places powerful emphasis on the drivers and their stories. A series of design details highlight the skill and achievements of these drivers and share the fascinating stories behind each race. In addition, the new models also carry a number of technical advances too.
For the first time in the C70 family, all the new models are COSC-certified chronometers and the back-plate of each watch has also been re-modelled to incorporate, beneath museum-grade sapphire crystal, a ceramic flag of the relevant host nation, alongside the race date. In addition, each watch case features a recessed plate on the side – a device that has proven hugely successful with the recent C70 D-Type 3527GT releases – displaying the names of the driver/s of each race alongside their winning times.
The four models are offered on a premium quality Italian leather strap including Bader deployment or with a stainless steel bracelet option. Each of the four Grand prix models is available in a Limited Edition of only 500 pieces worldwide and this chronometer is certain to become a sought-after collector’s piece. From Szisz’s 1906 win near Le Mans in the world’s first Grand Prix to Brooklands 1926, from Goux’s stunning Italian victory in the mighty 3Litre Ballot to the tragic story of the legendary Ascari, this new collection evokes the inspirational heritage of Grand Prix racing.
C70 British GP 1926 Chronometer
Two Frenchmen, Robert Senechal and Louis Wagner, drove their equally French Delage 155 to victory in the first ever British Grand Prix in 1926. On an overcast day at the famous Brooklands track in Surrey, the Delage was brought home in a time of 4 hours and 56 seconds; a time that is etched onto a plate on the case side of this stunning chronometer.
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Although the victory was a French one, the British Racing Green colours of this watch, including a ceramic Union Flag beneath museum-grade sapphire crystal on the back of the case, signify the importance of the event (and venue) that was the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation.
C70 Italian GP 1921 Chronometer
On 4th September 1921, at Brescia, Frenchman Jules Goux drove his 3 Litre Ballot to victory at the first ever Italian Grand Prix. The car, commissioned by Edouard Ballot was a technological advancement designed specifically to win Grand Prix races – aiding Goux to the flag in a time of 3 hours, 35 minutes, 9 seconds.
The C70 Italian GP 1921 Chronometer is another technical advance and celebrates the remarkable blend of man and machine that sparked the Italian flame of passion for motor racing, with the Italian flag resplendent in ceramic on the case back.
C70 French GP 1906 Chronometer
Covering a juddering 769 miles on a specially created but poor quality circuit near Le Mans, the inaugural French Grand Prix was designed to produce a French winner. A Renault 90CV was first past the flag (black, not chequered) but the winning driver was Hungarian, Ferenc Szisz.
The pitted road was hazardous and the innovation of Michelin detachable rims was a factor but Szisz was a clear and deserving winner (his 45,000 Francs prize the equivalent of £325,000 today).
His name and winning time of 12 hours, 14 minutes and 7 seconds, are proudly displayed on a recessed plate on the case of this stunning chronometer. The French, however, inevitably get the last word; the Tricolor is elegantly displayed in ceramic beneath museum-grade sapphire crystal on the case back.
C70 Belgian GP 1925 Chronometer
The name ‘Ascari’ is synonymous with motor racing and carries huge poignancy. Italian driver, Antonio Ascari, father of twice world champion Alberto Ascari, guided his Alfa Romeo P2 to a famous victory at the inaugural Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps on June 28th 1925. Four weeks later he was dead – fatally injured during the 23rd lap of the French Grand Prix at Montlery on 26th July (Alberto too died aged 36, in 1955, also in a race crash).
Remembered as a driver for his daring skilfulness behind the wheel, Ascari won the race in a time of 6:42:57; a time faithfully recorded alongside the great driver’s name on a recessed plate on the case. The yellow, red and black of the Belgian flag are strikingly used on the dial and hands and in tricolour form in ceramic beneath museum-grade sapphire crystal on the case-back.
Technical details
Swiss made chronometer
Special limited edition of only 500 pieces worldwide
Movement
Calibre: ETA 251.264 COSC
27 jewel Swiss quartz movement and COSC Certification
Chronograph dials with split minutes/seconds/ 1/10th seconds
Thermo-compensated
Case, dial and strap
Case: 316L, Marine-grade stainless steel case with screw-in crown
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 11.8mm
Weight: 87g
Water resistance: 10ATM
Convex sapphire crystal
Multi-layered precision dial
Tachymeter
“Winning Race Time Plate” on case side
Back-plate includes ceramic disc of host nation set under museum-grade sapphire crystal
Individual serial number
Premium quality Italian leather strap, including Bader deployment
Unique engraved individual serial number
Deluxe box and owner’s handbook
