The Race Of Champions is to motor racing what Louis Moinet is to traditional watchmaking: both draw on the conventions of their respective worlds, to which they seek to add an extra, very special touch.

It’s therefore only natural for the two to have now become partners. On the one hand, there are clear and obvious similarities between their fields: precision, attention to detail, and innovation. At the same time, joining forces in this way offers up a whole new perspective.

Louis Moinet has chosen to link up with the Race Of Champions in particular because the contest adds a unique dimension to motor sport. By bringing together all types of driver (rally, F1, etc.) at the same venue, on the same day, with the same cars, the ROC is quite simply an opportunity to award a prize to the fastest driver in the world. This year, the 16 contestants include Sebastian Vettel (four-time winner of the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship), Felipe Massa (who has clocked up 11 Formula One Grand Prix wins), David Coulthard (who has won a further 13), and Petter Solberg (three-times World Rally Champion), not to mention Jenson Button.

“After almost thirty years of existence, the Race Of Champions has now firmly established itself as a legend in the eyes of the public at large, as well as being an event that the drivers themselves really enjoy,” explains Jean-Marie Schaller. “Their official racing seasons are over, so the ROC is an opportunity for all these outstanding sportsmen to meet up and compete for the glory of a final lap. The event is a festive occasion, conceived by the public for the public. It embodies the fundamental vocation of motor sport – delighting in an amazing display of mechanical prowess. And that’s precisely how we see watchmaking.”

For this, its first association with the event, Louis Moinet has come up with a limited edition of 29 “ROC” timepieces – one for each year of the event’s existence. Housed in a black PVD steel case, the automatic two-pusher chronograph combines steel and carbon fibre with a sapphire caseback featuring the race’s insignia, engraved on the rim. In a further nod to the event, the piece’s oscillating weight is designed to resemble racecar brake discs. The orange tachymeter bezel and “Race Of Champions Watch” hands are easily readable for drivers, as are the white counters, contrasting nicely with the black background.

For more details, visit : http://www.raceofchampions.com