Inaugurated in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in northwestern France, is the world’s oldest endurance race – as well as one of the best known and most prestigious-along with the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. The goal of the race is to cover the greatest possible distance in the time allotted: 86,400 seconds.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans tests both the reliability of the cars and the physical and mental endurance of the drivers, who take turns behind the wheel to cover the 24-hour duration of the race, which consists of 13.626 km of track and 38 turns per lap. This unique sporting event was created to contribute to the technical progress and development of the automotive market.
Indeed, combining speed and safety over long distances, regardless of race conditions, requires the best of engineering in order to develop the most suitable solutions. Endurance races also allow manufacturers to test their innovations: since 2022, for example, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship have chosen a certified 100% sustainable biofuel.
This year, the 91st edition of this legendary race will take place on June 10 and 11, 2023, and will be an opportunity to celebrate its centennial: the first edition, in fact, dates back to 1923. The race takes place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in the presence of more than 300,000 people. To kick off the race, sports legend Lebron James has been chosen for this edition.
One hundred years ago, the first edition was contested by 33 crews, each consisting of two drivers; in this 2023 edition, as many as 62 crews and 186 drivers will gather on the Sarthe circuit. An extraordinary opportunity for many of the biggest manufacturers and private teams to showcase their know-how in technology.
The start is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at which time the clocks will start counting down to 24 hours. The time factor, therefore, is essential in this type of race. It is no coincidence that Rolex is a partner of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the three races that have forged the myth of the discipline and its drivers: the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
After all, the crowned Maison has always been linked to the world of motorsports, since September 4, 1935, when Sir Malcolm Campbell became the first driver to break the 300 mph (or 485 km/h) land speed record driving his Bluebird and wearing a Rolex watch. Since 1968, then, the Brand has been alongside Sir Jackie Stewart, a three-time Formula 1® World Champion (1969, 1971 and 1973), winner of 27 of the 99 Grand PrixTMs in which he participated and a staunch advocate of safety for drivers. The Brand has also been the Global Partner and Official Watch of the Formula 1® World Championship since 2013.
“When you win at Le Mans, you carry the victory with you forever. When I think about the history of this competition and the commitment with which Rolex supports motor sports, I am really proud, but also honored.”- Tom Kristensen
Ambassador in the centennial edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is Danish driver Tom Kristensen.
With nine victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driver Tom Kristensen is the most titled champion in the history of this race, so much so that he boasts the nickname “Mr. Le Mans.” A talented driver from his beginnings in karting, he tried his hand in Formula 3 before throwing himself passionately into endurance racing. In 1997 the star competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time, triumphing at the wheel of a car with which he had no experience.
From 2000 to 2005, he established himself as an undisputed winner of the race, which he would also win in 2008 and 2013. In 18 appearances, Kristensen has finished on the podium 15 times. His palmarès also include the world endurance champion title in 2013 and six wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Kristensen has been a Rolex Testimonial since 2010 and, in 2023, has precisely the role of ambassador in the centennial edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
A Rolex Daytona for the winner
Rolex has supported the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the official watch since 2001. The tradition is for the talented (and lucky) winners of the Le Mans race to receive a Rolex watch.
This edition, which indeed celebrates such an important anniversary, could not be an exception: winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will in fact receive a special Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, with a commemorative engraving on the case back with the race logo and the inscription “Winner 2023.” Incidentally, this year also marks the 60th anniversary of this highly successful model, which has been specially revisited for the occasion in the new version presented at Watches and Wonders 2023, with updated proportions and the new caliber 4131.
The Rolex Daytona that will be presented to the winner of this edition will therefore have a special and unique value. As Tom Kristensen pointed out, this timepiece “will forever tell the story of this memorable race and seeing the unique engraving on the watch will give it extra meaning” (..it will forever tell the story of this unforgettable race and seeing the unique engraving on the watch will give it extra meaning.”)
After all, as driver Scott Pruett said, “If you win a trophy you put it on a shelf. The prize money you deposit in the bank. But if you win a Rolex with the word ‘winner’ engraved on the back, you wear it every day” (Scott Pruett, California driver who has won the Rolex 24 of DAYTONA five times (1994, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2013).
New Rolex Daytona 100th Anniversary 24h Le Mans
It didn’t end there; the most important revelation came on the exact day of the race. To grapple with its commitment to sports racing, particularly the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex announced a new Daytona model in 18k white gold.
The watch features a dial unseen on modern models but which, for vintage enthusiasts, brings back wonderful memories. In fact, the Paul Newman reverse panda dial makes its return. Another treat is the presence, at 9 o’clock, of the 24-hour counter as opposed to the usual 12 hours found on regular Daytona models. The ceramic bezel echoes that of the production models, except for the detail of the number 100 in red, highlighting the 100th anniversary.
Also visible from the sapphire crystal case back is the new Caliber 4132, specially created for this reference.
The retail price for the Rolex Daytona 100th Anniversary 24 Hours of Le Mans will be EUR 51,740.00.
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