foversta provides an exclusive look into Audemars Piguet's event at the Grand Palais, celebrating their sponsorship of the Tour de France Auto. His report beautifully intertwines the worlds of haute horlogerie and classic automobiles, showcasing the 2012 Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto Limited Edition. The post highlights the shared passion for mechanical excellence and the historical significance of the Grand Palais as a venue.
As you know, Audemars Piguet is one of the main sponsors of the Tour de France Auto, a famous motor race dedicated to classic cars. Each year, the race contestants gather their cars at the starting line to give the ability to the cars lovers and to the guests to have the chance to see famous and prestigious machines from the past.
This is really a strong support for Audemars Piguet image like the presence of the AP logo on each and every car. Obviously, the watchmaking and motor worlds share a lot of common points, after all, we are talking about the passion for beautiful mechanics.
I was very happy to be invited by Audemars Piguet to visit this impressive gathering of more than 240 cars in a place historically linked to the motor history: the Grand-Palais.
Actually, the Grand Palais was the craddle of the Salon de l'Auto, the Fair which has been unveiled the latest novelties from worldwide cars makers to the French Audience. The Grand Palais which was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle hosted this event till 1961.
So it was a bit a travel towards the past and I had the feeling to visit a Salon de l'Auto of the 50's!
Audemars Piguet has been the official timekeeper of the Tour de France Auto since 2006. This sponsorship gives the opportunity to the Manufacture to dedicate each year a watch to celebrate the event. This year, after a Millenary chronograph in 2011, it is the come-back of the Royal Oak Offshore but with a totally different colours atmosphere from the 2010 Royal Oak Offshore Tour Auto.
The 2012 watch proudly wears blue, white and red colours like a tribute of the country which is the scenery of the race: France.
This watch is a LE of 150 pieces with a white dial, blue pushers, strap and subdials and subtle touches of red on the hands and strap. The horological contents of the watch are not surprising, we find again the modular movement 3126/3840 based on the 3120. Case material is SS. Its diameter is 42mm and the watch features a solid caseback. I like this watch thanks to its bright design but I have to confess that I prefered the elegance of the 2010 watch. 2012 version is maybe more "casual".
Of course, some people from Audemars Piguet are involved in the race like Nicolas Besançon, brand director for France or Fabrice Deschanel CEO of Renaud Papi. For Fabrice Deschanel, this year is not the first experience of the Tour de France Auto being a true cars lover.
I propose to share with you some pictures of the event taking into account that I will publish more pictures in the Automotive forum.
I'm arriving at the Grand Palais:
Some beauties:
Maybe my fav car:
Audemars Piguet set up a display surrounded by the cars:
The Royal Oak Offshore Tour de France Auto found its right place:
This car is driven by Fabrice Deschanel with French journalist Vincent Daveau as co-pilot:
I went upstairs to join the Audemars Piguet event:
Fabrice Deschanel with Antonio Seward, CEO of Audemars Piguet Spain and France, both of them wearing the Tour de France Auto watch:
The beautiful glass roof of the Grand Palais:
An Audemars Piguet watchmaker gave us the chance to test the accuracy of our watches:
I tested my Speake-Marin Spirit Pioneer. Peter used to work with Fabrice Deschanel at Renaud Papi.
And the results were excellent!
Let's have a look at the Royal Oak Offshore Tour de France Auto:
The blue, white and red atmosphere:
The solid caseback:
And the wristshots:
I would like to thank a lot the Audemars Piguet France team for the invitation and for the warm welcome at the event.
Fr.Xavier
