ROLEX CELEBRATES
100 Years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans: 24 for 24
Episodes 1-24
Rolex wrote:
"Geneva, 1 June 2023 – One hundred years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans has come to this moment. The culmination of a century of technological advancements, extraordinary human endeavour and heroic performances, which Rolex has supported as the Official Timepiece since 2001. In just over a week’s time, from Saturday 10–Sunday 11 June, the oldest and most prestigious endurance race will celebrate its centenary at Circuit de la Sarthe in north-west France, witnessed by an expected record-breaking crowd of 300,000 people. With renowned manufacturers returning to the sport, all attempting to cover the greatest distance in this ultimate race against time, global interest in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has never been stronger."
ENGRAVED OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA PRESENTED TO THE
WINNERS OF THE CENTENARY EDITION OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS 2023
Le Mans, in France, is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year, and Rolex decided to pay homage to this time-tested miracle of motorsport racing. Many famous Formula 1 (F1) champion racers have worn Rolex Daytona models at Le Mans, as we see below on F1 legend, Michael Schumacher in 1993.
Formula 1 Racing Legend, Michael Schumacher rocking his stainless steel Daytona [Reference 16520] back in 1993
Rolex—as a speed machine—along with airplanes and the automobile have grown up together on parallel tracks that often intersect. This is a timeless tale of Man and hid machines:
We learn about Rolex's Conquest of speed in my article named "The Complete History of The Rolex Daytona", as well as in Nick Gould's amazing "Rolex's Road to Daytona...Rolex Racing Champions: The Evolution of The Rolex Racing Revolution."
The King of Cool
@ Le Mans
Steve McQueen made a famous movie that debuted in 1971 named Le Mans at which time he famously wore his Rolex Submariner [Reference 5512] as seen in the photos below on his right wrist.
ROLEX & Le Mans
Rolex just dropped a magnificent series of new videos that pay homage to and showcase their long standing relationship with Le Mans, which can be seen below:
In the first episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a series presented by Rolex and Warner Bros. Discovery about an event like no other, we take a look at the “toughest challenge in motor sport”, with Tom Kristensen, the most successful driver in the race’s history, narrating.
In episode 2 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we take a look at the numbers behind the toughest challenge in motor sport.
In the third installment of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a series building up to the 2023 edition of the race, we hear from legendary British driver Jenson Button as he explains to us his long-standing admiration for the race.
In the fourth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the so-called Mr. Le Mans, Tom Kristensen, talks about the very special nature of the world’s oldest active endurance racing event.
In episode 5 of the series building up to the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the race’s most successful driver, Tom Kristensen, explains how tough it is to drive through the night.
In the sixth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we hear from Sir Jackie Stewart, one of the icons of motor sport, as he recalls his favorite memories of the race.
In episode 7 of ’Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Tom Kristensen relives what many consider the greatest edition of the race – the 2008 event.
In the eighth episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, Jamie Chadwick, three-time champion of the all-women W Series, explains why the 24 Hours of Le Mans is “the one everyone wants to win”.
In the ninth installment of ‘Le Mans: 24 For 24’, the preview series of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, we take a look at some of the trailblazing women of the legendary race who are helping break down barriers in what has traditionally been an industry dominated by men.
Join us for a very special episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 For 24’ as we take you on a lap of Le Mans ahead of the 2023 edition of the race.
In the 11th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, we hear from Sir Jackie Stewart as he recalls the 1965 edition of the legendary race. It is interesting to note Sir Jackie Stewart bought his own yellow gold Rolex Day-Date after he won his first big race, and later became a Rolex brand ambassador.
Anny-Charlotte Verney has competed in 10 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans – a women’s record. In episode 12 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, she speaks of her passion for the race co-founded by her grandfather.
In the 13th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series that previews the legendary motor endurance race, we look at the incredible atmosphere that surrounds Le Mans.
In the 14th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, a video series produced in partnership with Rolex that delves deep into the iconic race, we hear from some of the trailblazing women of Le Mans as they discuss the level playing field within the race and the rise of all-women teams.
Between 1997 and 2013, Tom Kristensen won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a record nine times, including six in a row (2000 to 2005). In episode 15 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the Danish driver explains how no single victory stands out for him and that he “learned a lot from all of them”.
In episode 16 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series building up to the centenary edition of the legendary race, we look at the iconic rivalry between Ford and Ferrari, one for the ages.
Episode 17 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’ takes a close look at the incredible career of Henri Pescarolo, a true legend of motor sport’s oldest, most prestigious endurance race.
Episode 18 of ‘Le Mans 24 for 24’ retraces Mark Webber’s experiences at Le Mans. The Australian driver was fortunate to escape a spectacular crash in 1999 and has also narrowly missed out on the top prize.
In episode 19 of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, legendary British driver Derek Bell relives some of his most memorable moments in the iconic endurance race.
Derek Bell is pictured below with The King of Cool, Steve McQueen at Le Mans in 1970.
In the 20th episode of ‘Le Mans: 24 for 24’, the video series building up to the centenary edition of the legendary race, Mark Webber, Jamie Chadwick, Leena Gade, Henri Pescarolo and Jacky Ickx discuss the thrilling feeling they get from the start of 24 hours of Le Mans.