Chopard’s Relationship With Classic Cars Continues At Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance

You’d be really hard-pressed to locate a additional passionate team of persons than individuals who are into typical autos. Apart from probably these who accumulate timepieces. Chopard’s historical past as the two a producer of large-overall performance timepieces and as a passionate supporter of individuals who gather common cars is well documented.

Karl Scheufele III, a German goldsmith and watchmaker who procured the luxury brand name in 1963, is an avid car collector. In addition to passing the luxurious model to his children, Caroline and Karl-Friedrich, who the two serve as Chopard co-administrators, he passed on his enthusiasm for auto collecting to Karl-Friedrich. He in turn has immersed Chopard into the globe of auto collectors. He is very best regarded for his longtime sponsorship and participation in the Mille Miglia, a thousand-mile basic automobile rally in Italy that is frequently billed as the “most stunning race in the world,” and the check out assortment that is related with the race.

In addition, Karl-Friedrich and Chopard are associated in a number of other classic car functions in Europe and the U.S. This features the just lately concluded Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, a lot more frequently referred to as “The Amelia,” the place Chopard is the official timekeeper of the occasion.

“The Scheufele Family has a robust enthusiasm for basic vehicles and has made important and applicable partnerships close to the earth. Amelia Island by natural means turned a must for the model to assistance,” suggests Jean-Baptiste Maillard, Chopard CEO of the Americas. “There are quite a few very critical and collectible autos on exhibit. There are also numerous vehicle collectors current who are close to the model. It is often a enjoyment to see everyone again on every occasion.”

The Amelia, owned and operated by Hagerty, an automotive fanatic manufacturer, just accomplished its 28th version, March 2 – 5. Above the years it has grown substantially into a premier basic car celebration.

The main functions of the four-working day program at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island resort are a supercar auction carried out by Wide Arrow Auctions and the key function, Amelia Concours d’Elegance. There are also seminars, unique networking situations, films and driving activities. The unique honoree this yr is Jeff Gordon, NASCAR Corridor of Famer and vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, in which the legendary driver delivered specifics of his storied NASCAR racing career at a particular honoree meal.

Chopard’s involvement is deep. It provided two Mille Miglia Common Chronographs for the celebration. The first was at the vintage auto auction in which a cars ranging from a custom made Volkswagen Minibus to a trio of jet-black McLaren sports activities autos went beneath the hammer during a marathon session led by auctioneer, Lydia Fenet. Chopard’s Mille Miglia timepiece sold for $9,000 soon after virtually two minutes of bidding with the proceeds likely in the direction of Amelia legacy nonprofit companions. Chopard had a booth just outside the house the ballroom exactly where the auction was held where by associates of the manufacturer offered a variety of their timepieces and jewels.

While the auction is mainly for individuals with deep pockets bidding on cars that can run into various million bucks, the pursuing day is dedicated to the principal celebration, the Amelia Concours d’Elegance, a additional inclusive occasion where for the value of a ticket, car or truck fanatics can watch around 250 historically major autos on the golfing training course of the Ritz-Carlton. This is where Chopard presented a second Mille Miglia timepiece to winner of the Chopard Trophy, a person of 32 awards presented to basic car lessons at the function. All over again, Chopard had a tent set up in which all those intrigued can browse the luxury brand names collections.

For Maillard, it is an event like many others that enables Chopard to share its passion of vintage autos and vital timepieces in the North American sector.

“There is a sturdy connection associated with craftsmanship, mechanics, and aesthetics,” he states. “All the beautiful automobiles are on screen. It was only purely natural to provide our timepieces and have them on screen also. We get to go over good motor vehicle and enjoy tales in the course of the weekend. Amelia Island is a person of the best Concours of Class on the East Coastline. We also have numerous other important partnerships in the U.S. this sort of as the Cali Mille, Luftgekuhlt and even the 1000 Millas sport in Patagonia. We are extremely active in the U.S. market place and in truth the Americas general.”