The fact that Rolex is sponsoring the upcoming Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix won’t come as a surprise to many. Steeped in a history of sporting excellence, Rolex is synonymous with high flying achievers, so it’s only natural that these two iconic brands joined forces. Whilst this may be the third consecutive year that the luxury watchmaker has sponsored this particular race, Rolex’s involvement with motor racing can be traced much further back in time.
Testing their mechanisms against aviation, deep-sea diving and of course, motor racing, Rolex made it their priority to ensure each timepiece was built to handle the unrelenting challenges faced by great sporting men and women.
Its first defining moment as an iconic timepiece for motoring heroes came in the 1930s. Partnering with Sir Malcolm Campbell in the pursuit of record-breaking speed, it was a stunning Rolex that adorned the wrist of this motoring pioneer as he set a land-speed record of over 300 miles per hour. The historic moment on Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA was captured in time to preserve the memory of this great achievement, and quickly became a benchmark of success for Rolex.
Today, Rolex is still flying the flag for motoring innovation and continues to push the boundaries of speed. Whilst Sir Malcolm Campbell’s achievement will go down in history, Rolex are constantly looking towards new partnerships in the motoring industry. Their latest work on the Bloodhound SCC shows just how far they have come from the days when 300mph was rightly viewed as a major achievement.
This new project will see their watches face the immense pressure of 1,000mph speeds. Bloodhound is a jet and rocket-powered car with extreme capabilities, designed to fuel the imagination of young engineers across the world. Built with the sole purpose to break the land-speed record, it was only natural that Rolex became involved with the project.
The craftsmanship behind the accompanying Rolex shows the impressive technological advances that have played out since the Bluebird hit 300mph on the Utah Salt Flats. To be able to efficiently and accurately time such immensely quick machines, the driver needs a timepiece that they can rely on to perform in hostile environments.
Rolex have a crucial role to play in the Bloodhound’s success, as they’ve created two custom features for the vehicle’s cockpit. An analogue speedometer and chronograph will sit on the left and right side of the driver to provide a fail-safe back-up to the electronic screens that will display data during the record attempt. This trust in Rolex engineering to deliver excellent precision and clarity when needed most is testament to the kind of reputation that the Swiss luxury watch specialist has built for itself.
Whilst we can’t all have custom feature designs for our own cars, we can invest in a small piece of history that has helped to shape motorsport and the quest for high-speed records. When you hear the word ‘Daytona’, you think of high-speed racing, but people also immediately think of the Rolex watch created as a namesake. The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the ultimate watch for the motoring industry and is unrivalled in its precision and accuracy. Launching in 1963, this watch has moved with the times to embody the innovation of this prestigious brand.
This specific timepiece is given to every winner of the Le Mans 24hr race. It enables the driver to time each lap to within an eighth of a second. Incredible precision. Its tachymetric scale on the bezel shows an exact indication of speed, without the need for bulky screens and complicated workings. Whilst durable, this timepiece is of course designed to please the Rolex connoisseurs who have come to expect a certain standard of luxury.
As we’ve discussed in previous blog posts, the story behind the Rolex brand is fascinating, and with the company continuing to align itself with high-profile sporting events, such as the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, as well as many international tennis and golf competitions, it’s likely to have an interesting future too.
To secure your own piece of Swiss luxury, it’s always worth keeping an eye on William May’s Rolex watch page.
