CHOPARD WATCHES IS TIMEKEEPER FOR WORLD'S MOST PRECISE AND CHALLENGING RACES!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

WORLD FAMOUS DRIVER MARK WEBBER AND KARL-FRIEDRICH SCHEUFELE PRESIDENT AND OWNER OF CHOPARD WATCHES. MARK WEBBER IS SO TALL I WONDER HOW HE CAN FIT HIS LONG LEGS INTO THE CAR

KARL-FRIEDRICH SCHEUFELE PRESIDENT OF CHOPARD WITH MARK WEBBER, AMBASSADOR OF CHOPARD

ROMAIN DUMAS AND HIS TEAM FINISHED SECOND AT SILVERSTONE

THE PORSCHE PILOTS

SUPERFAST CHRONO PORSCHE 919 EDITION

MARK WEBBER AT CHOPARD MANUFACTURE

BRENDON HARTLEY AT CHOPARD FACTORY IN GENEVA. HE LOOKS SO CUTE AND YOUNG AND BABYFACED BUT PACKS A WHALLOP WHEN HE DRIVES

CHOPARD AMBASSADORS BRENDON HARTLEY AND MARK WEBBER

BRENDON HARTLEY, KARL-FRIEDRICH SCHEUFELE THE PRESIDENT OF CHOPARD AND ROMAIN DUMAS

BRENDON HARTLEY, TIMO BERNHARD AND MARK WEBBER
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A very promising first round at Silverstone for Porsche to defend the constructors’ title

Chopard enters its third season as official timing partner of Porsche Motorsport

On April 17^th 2016, Chopard started its third year as the official timing partner of the leading WEC team: Porsche Motorsport.

At the Six Hours of Silverstone 2016, the season’s opening round, the two new Porsche 919 Hybrid cars led by Chopard’s ambassadors, Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Romain Dumas

campaigned again for victory on the renowned circuit of the British Midlands after a very successful year 2015 which ended up with a double title in the pilots’ and constructors’ championship.

30,000 kilometres of testing allowed Porsche to significantly further develop the Porsche 919 Hybrid to fulfil the new WEC 2016 regulations.

Porsche began the seasons with strong expectations. The Porsche 919 Hybrid led by Romain Dumas reached the second position in the LMP1 race

but finally got the victory thanks to a disqualification of Audi.

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A very promising first round at Silverstone for Porsche

to defend the constructors’ title

Chopard enters its third season

as official timing partner of Porsche Motorsport

Silverstone – United Kingdom

On April 17^th 2016, Chopard started its third year as the official timing partner of the leading WEC team: Porsche Motorsport. At the Six Hours of Silverstone 2016, the season’s opening round, the two new Porsche 919 Hybrid cars led by Chopard’s ambassadors, Mark Webber, Brendon Hartley and Romain Dumas campaigned again for victory on the renowned circuit of the British Midlands after a very successful year 2015 which ended up with a double title in the pilots’ and constructors’ championship. 

30,000 kilometres of testing allowed Porsche to significantly further develop the Porsche 919 Hybrid to fulfil the new WEC 2016 regulations. Porsche began the seasons with strong expectations. The Porsche 919 Hybrid led by Romain Dumas reached the second position in the LMP1 race but finally got the victory thanks to a disqualification of Audi.

The FIA WEC championship started this weekend with a very strong and encouraging beginning during the 6 Hours of Silverstone. After Silverstone racetrack saw rain and snow on the previous days, on Sunday the race start was in bright sunshine with the two 919 Hybrids lining up third and fourth on the grid for the first of nine World Championship rounds.

After a thrilling six hour race, Neel Jani finished second in the Porsche 919 Hybrid N°2 that he shares with Marc Lieb and with the Chopard ambassador, Romain Dumas. Audi’s car, which arrived first, got disqualified and gave the victory to Porsche. 

By doing the fastest lap of the race, Neel Jani proved the competitiveness of the innovative hybrid race car. Porsche also suffered from a significant accident when the number 1 car of reigning World Champions Timo Bernhard, and Chopard ambassadors, Brendon Hartley and Mark Webber crashed after two hours. The pilot walked away unhurt even if he had a spectacular accident.

This race has been very demanding for the brand new Porsche 919 Hybrid. The team learned a lot on the new motor created to defend its constructors’ title. Fritz Enzinger, Vice President of LMP1 at Porsche, summarized the ambitions of the team: “This is a great start to the season. The spectators can look forward to some very exciting racing. In Spa-Francorchamps, we will attack again.”

With a racing history starting in 1947, the Silverstone race track is known for being a historical technical race. Teams consider Silverstone to be one of the fastest circuits on the current calendar. Having been built atop an old airfield, the Silverstone circuit is a technically difficult track, but a favorite amongst drivers. 

The track is a mixture of high and low speed corners with some long straights, making it physically exhausting for the drivers. Overtaking is notoriously difficult. Silverstone is a race where every second counts to start off the WEC season in the best way.

Porsche and Chopard: timing, precision and performance - a Superfast Chronograph

For the third year, Chopard is proud to be the Official Timing Partner of Porsche Motorsport. Perfectly in line with the spirit of Chopard’s Superfast watch collection, this prestigious partnership is an extension of the company longstanding commitment to automotive sports. 

In 2014, Chopard became “Official Timing Partner” of Porsche Motorsport for the German racing team’s grand comeback to endurance competition. That same year, to celebrate this exclusive partnership, Chopard launched a new Superfast chronograph inspired by the Porsche 919 Hybrid competing in the World Endurance Championship LMP1 category: the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition.

The Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition is entirely in tune with WEC racing. This imposingly sized chronograph with its 45 mm-diameter case and flyback function beats to the pace of a mechanical Chopard 03.05-M calibre, chronometer-certified by the COSC. 

This engine and its oscillating weight may be admired through a sapphire crystal engraved with the inscription “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport”. Inspired by the new Porsche 919 Hybrid, the stripes on the dial evoke the racing car’s rear diffuser. 

Likewise, the “919” appearing in a red rectangle inside a 9 o’clock subdial is identical to the number of the Porsche racing cars. Finally, the rubber strap is inspired by slick tyres serving to negotiate bends at extremely high speeds.

This sophisticated and powerful Superfast chronograph proclaims a highly exclusive nature that is a perfect match for the legendary Porsche cars, since the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition from Chopard is produced in a strictly limited 919-piece series.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, concluded: “2015 has been amazing for the partnership between Chopard and Porsche Motorsport with incredible results. I had the chance to attend some of the WEC races and we are very proud to be part of the success of Porsche Motorsport in WEC as Official Timing Partner of the team. 

Chopard ambassadors Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley won the World Champion title and Romain Dumas had a successful season.

Our company shares several values with Porsche such as the quest for performance and excellence. Both in car- and watch-making we all pay attention to the smallest details. We are ready to accompany Porsche Motorsport as official timing partner for a third season in WEC. We believe in the team for reiterating their outstanding series of victories in 2016.”

The FIA World Endurance Championship will continue on 7^th May 2016 for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

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Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition

Welcome back !

As part of its collaboration with Porsche Motorsport as Official Timing Partner, Chopard presents the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition dedicated to the new Porsche 919 Hybrid. 

This sophisticated COSC chronometer-certified flyback chronograph, picking up the design codes of the racing car, is issued in a 919-piece limited edition.

An encounter between two pioneering and avant-garde companies can yield some amazing results. Celebrating the partnership between Chopard and Porsche Motorsport in the FIA World Endurance Championship – which is welcoming back the German manufacturer after a lengthy absence – the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition is set to make a noteworthy debut.

The partnership agreement between Chopard and Porsche Motorsport once again turns the spotlight on the sophisticated nature of the Superfast collection, a watchmaking icon from Chopard. Every inch as outstanding as Porsche racing cars, the models in the Superfast collection embody a wealth of superlatives while featuring the distinctive codes of motor racing. 

They are also a test bench for constantly pushing limits and implementing new procedures or innovative materials. Exactly how Porsche sees motor racing, as a “Lab for our visions”.

A sophisticated timepiece with exclusive finishing

The new Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition is entirely in tune with this approach. This imposingly sized chronograph with its 45 mm-diameter case and flyback function beats to the pace of a mechanical Chopard 03.05-M calibre, chronometer-certified by the COSC. 

This ‘engine’ and its oscillating weight may be admired through a sapphire crystal engraved with the inscription “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport”. Inspired by the new Porsche 919 Hybrid, the stripes on the dial evoke the racing car’s rear diffuser. Likewise, the “919” appearing in a red rectangle inside a 9 o’clock subdial is identical to the number of the Porsche racing cars. 

Finally, the rubber strap is inspired by slick tyres serving to negotiate bends at extremely high speeds.

This sophisticated and powerful new Superfast chronograph proclaims a highly exclusive nature that is a perfect match for the legendary Porsche cars, since the new Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition from Chopard is produced in a strictly limited 919-piece series reserved for those who are quick off the mark!

Technical Details

Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Edition

Case:

·      Stainless steel

·      Total diameter                                                              45.00 mm

·      Thickness                                                                     15.18 mm

·      Water resistance                                                           100 metres

·      Screw-locked crown with black rubber-clad steering wheel motif

·      Glareproofed sapphire crystal

·      Open case-back bearing engraved “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport” inscription

·      Steel bezel with tachometric scale secured by eight PVD blackened steel screws

Movement:

·    Mechanical self-winding chronograph                               Chopard 03.05-M

·    Total diameter                                                              28.8 mm

·      Number of jewels                                                45 jewels

·      Power reserve                                                     60 hours

·      Frequency                                                           28,800 vph

·      Chronometer-certified (COSC)

Dial and hands:

·         Opaline silver-toned dial with red inner bezel ring transfers

·         “919” logo in the 9 o’clock counter

·         Metallic black hour and minute hands and hour-markers, enhanced with Superluminova

·         Arrow-tipped red sweep-seconds hand

·         Red hour and minute counter hands

·         Metallic black seconds counter hand

Functions and displays:

·         Central display of the hours, minutes and seconds

·         Small seconds at 6 o’clock

·         Date window between 4 and 5 o’clock

·         Chronograph: seconds with flyback function, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock,

     12-hour counter at 9 o’clock

·         Tachometric scale

Strap and clasp:

·         Black rubber strap (slick tyre tread motif)

·         Polished steel folding clasp

Ref. 168535-3002 – 919 pieces limited edition

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Mark Webber

An exceptional ambassador for Chopard

After enlivening F1 tracks for more than ten years, Australian Porsche Motorsport driver, Mark Webber, becomes Chopard’s new ambassador. 

The watchmaking company is looking forward to his arrival, thus strengthening its long established relationship with the world of classic racing, which is today accentuated through a partnership with Porsche Motorsport, the team to which Chopard is the official timing partner.

Chopard welcomes a prime new ambassador, Mark Webber. The charismatic Australian pilot, member of the Porsche Motorsport team and former Formula 1 driver, is now flying the colours of the Geneva-based manufacture.

A champion’s life

After a number of successes in Australia on two and four wheels, Mark Webber was determined to make his Formula 1 dream come true. The transition happened naturally thanks to Formula 3000. His Formula 1 career started with Minardi in 2002. In 2009, while he was at Red Bull Racing, he had his first win at the German Grand Prix. 

After twelve seasons in Formula 1, thirty-six podium finishes, eleven pole positions and nine Grand Prix victories, Mark Webber joined the Porsche Motorsport team in 2014 to accompany the German car maker in its big return to competition in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Distinguished sportsman and great competitor, Mark Webber set himself even tougher objectives such as winning this year’s World Endurance Championship with Porsche Motorsport as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

He shares with Chopard this perpetual drive for precision and mechanical achievement.

The quest for performance

This partnership between the driver and Chopard is entirely in tune with the agreement signed in 2014 with Porsche Motorsport. Brought together through common values including the constant quest for performance and excellence, Porsche Motorsport and Chopard have sealed a partnership based on shared passions. 

Highly reliable and innovative, the exceptional mechanics produced by the workshops of both Porsche Motorsport and Chopard have made their mark on their respective universes and remain benchmarks among fans of automobile sports and watchmaking alike. 

For Chopard, the partnership with Mark Webber is the logical continuation of its passionate commitment to motor racing and the development of its Superfast collection.

A passionate partnership

 “What I appreciate most about Chopard” emphasises Mark Webber “is the true passion that this company in the forefront of watchmaking has for automobile sports as well as the family nature of the business. 

There are no smoke screens; with Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, I am dealing with a true enthusiast and connoisseur of motor car racing and mechanics. I am proud to be part of the Chopard family henceforth.”

 “Being associated with one of the most prestigious watchmaking manufacturers is a great honour for me” confirms Mark Webber 

“To my mind, this partnership has real substance. In competition, time is our best friend or our worst enemy and the precise measurement of time is one of our major concerns. Partnering with Chopard and the Superfast collection, which consists of elegant, very precise watches inspired by racing, is therefore completely natural.”

For Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, this association is exceptional in more ways than one. “Since the very first time we met, we sensed Mark Webber’s strong interest in Chopard and the watches we produce. He clearly recognised the similarities that exist between our two professions. 

"I know we share the same values of excellence and the same passion for automobile sports. Being able to rely on a driver as experienced as this is a veritable honour for us. We look forward to sharing this adventure.”

Superfast watches: avant-garde partners

Always on the leading edge of Chopard collections, Superfast watches are a faithful companion to Mark Webber in the achievement of his greatest automobile feats, and are precise, reliable partners for every race. 

Like Porsche racing cars, the models in the Superfast collection maintain the codes inherent to the world of car racing. In the same way as the Porsche 919 Hybrid, they provide a testing ground for Chopard, enabling it to push the boundaries of its watchmaking skill, to implement new processes or to incorporate the use of innovative materials.

The Superfast watches are simultaneously modern and imposing, free from any restraints, featuring clean lines resulting in a resolutely virile design. A multitude of elements – like the racing steering wheel on the rubber-clad gold crown, the grooves engraved on the sides of the lugs and the pushers reminiscent of cooling fins, or even the screws on the bezel inspired by those found on wheel rims – are all nods to the world of automobile racing. 

Equipped with a Manufacture movement with engine-inspired finishes, they are designed for devotees of fine watchmaking who will be capable of taming the inevitable sense of raw power that they produce.

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Brendon Hartley

 A youthful avant-garde ambassador for Chopard

Having racked up a number of wins on WEC tracks over the past two years, Brendon Hartley, the young New Zealand professional racing driver competing in the Porsche Motorsport team, is Chopard’s new ambassador. 

The brand is delighted with his arrival that reinforces its longstanding ties with the world of motor racing in general, along with its role since 2014 as official timing partner of Porsche Motorsport.

Chopard welcomes a well-known new ambassador: Brendon Hartley. This young man from New Zealand, a member of the Porsche Motorsport team and a promising up-and-coming driver with an ever more impressive track record, will now be flying high the banner of the Geneva-based Manufacture.

Performances worthy of a champion

After an encouraging start in the world of Formula 1 motor-racing as a test driver for the Red Bull team and subsequently for Mercedes AMG Petronas, he began a new career in endurance racing. 

Since 2012, he has taken part in the greatest races on the circuit: the European Le Mans series, the Bathurst 12 Hour, the 24 Hour at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He was eager to attract the attention of a major manufacturer and has indeed been recruited by Porsche, the most titled racing stable in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

He admits to be living a “waking dream”. A brilliant sportsman and a great competitor, Brendon Hartley is setting himself ever-higher goals such as that of winning this year’s World Endurance Championship with Porsche Motorsport. He shares with Chopard the same tireless quest for precision and for mechanical feats.

Aiming for perfection

This partnership between the young driver and Chopard is entirely in line with the latter’s increasingly close ties being steadily woven with Porsche Motorsport since 2014. United by values such as the relentless pursuit of performance and excellence, Porsche Motorsport and Chopard have signed a partnership based on these shared passions. 

Both extremely reliable and consistently innovative, the exceptional mechanical marvels that emerge from the workshops of Porsche Motorsport and Chopard have made an indelible imprint on their respective worlds and remain benchmarks among connoisseurs and devotees of motorsports and watchmaking. 

This cooperation with Brendon Hartley is a logical follow-on from its passionate commitment to motor racing and to the development of its Superfast collection.

For Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, this association with Brendon Hartley is exceptional in several respects: “I met Brendon Hartley during World Endurance Championship races. I immediately sensed that he had a genuinely competitive mindset and an extreme passion for motorsports. 

"Naturally fascinated by fine mechanisms of all kinds, Brendon Hartley clearly recognised the similarities between our professions. We share the same values of excellence and risk-taking. Being able to have such a young, talented and determined driver among our ambassadors is an authentic chance and a true honour. We are looking forward to experiencing this adventure together.”

Superfast watches: front-runner partners

Firmly in the vanguard of the Chopard collections, Superfast watches accompany Brendon Hartley in achieving his finest motor-racing feats, serving as accurate and reliable partners throughout each competition. 

Like the Porsche endurance cars he drives in these races, the models in the Superfast collection pack a powerful punch with a variety of superlative technical features, while also featuring signature design codes picked up from the motor-racing world. 

Like Porsche 919 Hybrid cars, they are a test bench for Chopard, enabling it to perpetually push the boundaries of its watchmaking skills, to implement new procedures and to use innovative materials.

Superfast watches are modern, generously sized and more than happy to flaunt the sharply clear-cut lines of a resolutely virile design. A wealth of distinctive elements – such as the racing car steering-wheel on the rubber-moulded gold crown, the grooves engraved on the sides of the lugs and pushers reminiscent of racing-engine cooling fins, or the bezel screws inspired by those on car-wheel rims – are as many nods to the world of motorsports. 

Powered by a Manufacture movement with engine-style finishes, they are intended for passionate devotees of fine watchmaking who are capable of handling the inevitable feeling of power they procure.