Gstaad Classic Audemars Piguet 2011 Edition

The Manufacture in Le Brassus has shown a longstanding interest in motor sports. Actively involved in Formula 1 motor racing through its ambassador-drivers Sébastien Buemi, Jarno Trulli, and since November 2010 Michael Schumacher, Audemars Piguet is also official timekeeper of historical competitions such as the Tour Auto, the Spa Classic and the Gstaad Classic Audemars Piguet.

The latter is the only classic rally in Switzerland to feature time trials on around 100 km of closed roads. The winding mountain roads provide perfect playgrounds for gentlemen drivers with a penchant for thrills and performances. This year’s edition of the prestigious event will host some one hundred teams, at the wheel of GT and sports cars dating from the late 1930s to the late 1970s. The programme is similar to that of the first edition: three days of rally driving in the Swiss Alps, with a different loop each day – starting and ending in Gstaad – interspersed with special trials on closed roads.

So as to combine sport and comfort, each evening is organised in an exclusive location and participants are accommodated in the finest hotels of Gstaad, including in particular the Grand Hotel Park housing the Audemars Piguet boutique. It is within this privileged showcase, as well as in Audemars Piguet’s Geneva boutique, that the Jules Audemars Gstaad Classic2011 is presented to informed collectors.

The 250 future owners of this wristwatch will doubtless be won over by its vintage look: the classic aura characteristic of the Jules Audemars collection, cleverly enhanced by a sporting spirit through its association with the Gstaad rally. In this model, the elegant round case traditionally distinguishing Jules Audemars watches is combined with colours and materials inspired by the automobile world. The 1920s style dial legends a decidedly vintage touch that contributes to a chic and sporty, classic and yet contemporary aesthetic. The hand-sewn chestnut brown leather strap with lozenge-shaped overstitching evokes fine car upholstery, while the titanium used for the case is greatly appreciated in the automobile industry because of its inherent combination of sturdiness and lightness. The chronograph start/stop pushpiece is made of pink gold so as to be immediately identifiable by the driver who is entirely focused on his performances.

In order to provide this watch with a worthy jewel case, the presentation box reserved for the 50 future owners of the Jules Audemars Gstaad Classic2011 in Switzerland is inspired by a classic car travel trunk, entirely lined in chestnut brown leather and featuring tone-on-tone stitching as well as straps fastened with metal buckles.