This year, one of the most recognized challenges of the motorsport enthusiasts, the Targa Florio automobile race, will celebrate its 100th edition. From May 5 to 8, 2016, Eberhard & Co. will be the Official Timekeeper of the oldest sports car racing event. To commemorate this jubilee, the Swiss manufacturer will present a chronograph specially created for the competitors in this race.
Founded in 1906, the Targa Florio is not only the world’s oldest, but also the most famous automobile race. It was set up by the wealthy pioneer race driver and automobile enthusiast, Vincenzo Florio, a highly cultured man enamored of his native land.
The open road endurance automobile race, which was also known as the Tour of Sicily, was one of the most prestigious competitions of motoracing. It was raced from Italy, along with the Mille Miglia, but unfortunately, in 1957, the tragic events in Mille Miglia determined that the Targa Florio continued as the only representative of motorsports in this category. The race was held in the mountains of Sicily near Palermo and between 1955 and 1973, it was a part of the World Sportscar Championship.
The anniversary timepiece from Eberhard & Co. is a sports chronograph that perfectly unites elegance and sporty nature of the watch. The Champion V is powered with the caliber ETA 7750 mechanical, self-winding chronograph movement. Underneath the front sapphire glass lies a gorgeous white dial with two chrono sub-dials – one for the minutes and one for the hours. The dial is customized with the logo of the 100th edition and the Targa Florio logo at the 9 o’clock position and its design and colors evokes motor races. At the 4 o’clock position there is a small black-on-white date window. The baton-shaped hour and minute hands are filled with luminescent substance to offer outstanding legibility both during day and night, while the central seconds hand is colored in a striking red.
The watch is housed in a round, stainless steel case measuring 42.80mm. The case is shielded with a convex sapphire glass, while a case back is fixed with 6 screws and enhanced by polished satin finishes. The case incorporates a steel bezel with a circular aluminium insert that has been treated with anodic oxidation. The water resistance is assured down to 50 meters (approximately 165 feet).
Eberhard & Co Champion V Targa Florio Special Edition Watch (ref. 31063.1 TF) is teamed up with a vintage, black leather strap with a customized “E&Co.” buckle.
The new timepiece that celebrates Targa Florio race will be given to all competitors. Furthermore, all participants will have the chance to purchase a second timepiece at a special price.
“We are pleased to celebrate 100 glorious editions with the Targa Florio”, said Mario Peserico, the General Manager of Eberhard & Co. “The perfect union between the world of vintage cars and our watches is traditionally represented by the Tazio Nuvolari collection, but in this case, due to the exceptional nature of the event, we decided to do something special and to match a different model to this race, a more sporty model with the evocative name Champion V, dedicating it to all past, present and future champions taking part in the race”, Mr. Peserico concluded.
