Chopard

Earlier this month, a special luncheon was held at a well-known French restaurant in Ginza - with special guest, THE legendary driver, Adviser to Porsche/ VW Group , A great friend and the Ambassador of Chopard, Mr. Jacky Ickx!  

Personally, I have been waiting for this moment/ opportunity for my life as far as I can remember.... Mr. Ickx has been my hero for my life - I have been a big fan of motor sports (four wheels only) since I cannot remember when.  So, THANK YOU CHOPARD, for that!

Under this, a new SUPERFAST was hidden and Mr. Ickx himself unveiled later (we were not allowed take pic back then, so lots of official photos later).

.. and OMG, at the last moment, I was asked to sit next to him!

Mr. Thomas Dobeli, CEO of Chopard Japan gives opening speech.

And then, Mr. Yamaguchi, Marketing Director of Porsche Japan.

Followed by one of Porsche Works Drivers, who flew to Le Mans in the evening of this event, Andre Lotterer.  Even he mentioned that Jacky Ickx was/is the legend he wants to pursue.

And, now the main guest - Jacky Ickx!  What a gentleman.

Dubbed "Mr. Le Mans" - he won in 76 and 77 on Porsche 936, and in 81 and 82 on Porsche 956.

It's been 20 years since he came to Japan last time.  I am so glad that he came back!

"So glad that I came back to Japan again.  Chopard has been a very good friend for a very long time, especially my long-term personal friend, the Co-President, Mr. Scheufele.   I have been driving Porsche for a long time.  Chopard and Porsche have a lot in common - they are/were both family company.  Dr. Porsche made 356 because he could not find a car he wanted.  Chopard makes what Mr. Scheufele wants to make to satisfy more and more customers.  They both represent precision, accuracy, speed and timing.  Porsche has won Le Mans 18 times and I have won some.  But it is not only drivers who contribute to the win.  Both Porsche and Chopard have lots of people behind the scene to create something and achieve winning."

"Quite frankly, I am a person in the past.  And today, there is a person of today - Andre - who now drives a Porsche and also an ambassador for the brands.  It is a day of old and new and I will unveil the newest watch from Chopard later."

 

He worked as a consultant and a strategist for Mazda in 1990s and (as a result) Mazda is the ONLY Japanese car maker that won Le Mans.  That was when he frequented to Japan.  He says he had lots of fond memories and very honored to be invited.

On his wrist was.......  Looks great!

I was enjoying conversation with my hero for a while and then he was called and started talking about a book - they made only a few of them - of his racing life.  So big a book!  I want one!  But later there was a lottery and someone else got it..... so sad......

Small bottles in front are, for example, sand of the actual desert he ran, part of body work of his car, etc....  Yes, those small bottles were presented to the person who got this book.... (crying)....

Mr. Ickx emphasized that the motor sports had become so much safer today than his days.  He, too, has burn somewhere under cloths.  Many legendary drivers died - all my favorites - but such sad incidents are so much fewer these days.  GOOD!

Answering questions at the table.

And talking to a lady sitting on the other side of me.  Very gentleman, indeed.

Model cars at the entrance of the restaurant dining space.

Oh, Rothmans Porsche!

He autographed each of them.....

Okay, so, the latest SUPERFAST POWER CONTROL PORSCHE 919 HF EDITION, yes, HF=High Frequency (57,600vph)!  

Please check out the detailed spec on the next post

Thank you, Mr. Jacky Ickx, Chopard Japan, and Porsche Japan.

It was an honor to be invited to such an event.

Ken

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