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The 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 92nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race that celebrates endurance and motor sport excellence, takes place on June 15 and 16, 2024. Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of this legendary event since 2001.
Published on June 9, 2024
Every second counts during The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the iconic endurance race in which teams compete to cover the greatest distance in 24 hours at Circuit de la Sarthe. The world’s oldest race of its kind, it’s a thrilling celebration of racing tradition. As Houston’s premier family-owned jeweler and a proud Official Rolex Jeweler, we are pleased to share the latest stories from the prestigious crown.
Long and proud history of epic racing
Created in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the oldest and one of the most prestigious car races in the world. A stern test of the reliability of the machines as well as the physical and mental stamina of the drivers, Le Mans attracts some of the greatest names in motor sport. On the 8.4-mile (13.6 kilometers) Circuit de la Sarthe in northwest France, some 62 cars, each with teams of three drivers, race against each other, divided into two Prototype and one GT Class. The winning team is the one which covers the greatest distance in 24 hours, some 3,293 miles (5,300 kilometers). Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of the race since 2001.
Continuous innovation over the decades
Since its inaugural edition, the mythical event has been an ideal testing ground for the many advances in motor sport technologies. The trialing of a new road surface in 1922 (still viable today), improvements to safety, engines and aerodynamics, as well as, since 2022, the requirement for all cars to run on 100 percent renewable biofuel, are among the notable developments marking a century of progress supported by this legendary endurance race. New automotive manufacturers contesting the top class in 2024 include Alpine, BMW and Lamborghini, emphasizing the importance and relevance of the event for the car industry.
Tom Kristensen: “Mr. Le Mans”
Tom Kristensen has well and truly earned his nickname. The most successful driver in the legendary race’s history, he won it a record nine times, starting with his debut in 1997. A Rolex Testimonee since 2010, the Danish racing driver was FIA World Endurance champion in 2013. “You carry a win at Le Mans with you forever. I feel proud and humble reflecting on the race’s legacy and Rolex’s involvement with motor sport. Together they are the perfect combination; both striving for excellence through persistence, technical innovation and human endeavor.”
The Cosmograph Daytona: a singular prize
The winners of the top class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans receive an Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, specially engraved for the occasion. A legendary watch whose characteristic design has become iconic, the Cosmograph Daytona is emblematic of Rolex’s expertise. Equipped with a movement entirely designed and produced by the Rolex manufacture, it stands out by virtue of its chronometric precision as well as its unfailing reliability.
Discover the Cosmograph Daytona at Thomas Markle Jewelers
Fortune favors the bold and the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the reliable, precise companion of those who forge their own path. Launched in 1963, its name is inextricably linked with the famous circuit at Daytona Beach, Florida, exemplifying the ties between Rolex and legendary endurance races. With its unmatched chronomatic precision, unfailing reliability, and distinctive design, the Cosmograph Daytona is the preferred watch for motorsport enthusiasts.
As an Official Rolex Jeweler, we take pride in providing Houston with the timeless elegance and precision of Rolex timepieces. Our distinguished status ensures that each impeccable watch in our collection exemplifies the uncompromising professionalism and service that defines Thomas Markle Jewelers. Visit us in The Woodlands or Memorial for the superb Rolex experience that only an authorized expert can provide—because excellence is our nature.
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