Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition
Angus Davies reviews the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition
This detailed review of the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition includes live images, specification details and pricing.
I suspect when questioning a cross section of eight year-old boys, several will disclose a desire to become a professional racing driver in adulthood. I still recall forfeiting my beloved Sunday mornings in order to take my pre-pubescent son karting at an unsociable, early hour.
When I arrived at the racetrack, I would see many similar sleep-deprived parents with their ambitious offspring. An adrenaline infused mist pervaded the atmosphere. Numerous children voiced their ambitions and parents vowed to sell the family silver to finance ‘Junior’s’ motorsport career.
Over the years that ensued, several children lost interest. Some learnt to accept they lacked the natural ability to succeed and others were unable to raise the funds necessary to compete at the front of the grid. My own son soon realised his ambitions would never come to frution when he began to grow. Genetics sadly conspired against him, his torso adopting leviathan-like proportions in his early teenage years.
Those who have the necessary skills, genes, fiscal means and opportunity are not guaranteed racing fame. Many budding talents have failed to blossom as cruelly fate conspires against them.
On entering the dizzying heights of top-flight competitive motorsport, a driver must continue to justify their place on the team. Sacrifices have to be made. Friendships are set aside, separation from loved ones is necessary and sponsor commitments have to be honoured.
The body has to be finely honed as physical fitness is of upmost importance. Alcohol is seldom consumed, except on the winner’s podium and a diet sans sugar and fat is prerequisite.
There is no respite for the professional racing driver. The commitment of the team must be repaid, the driver has to deliver results. Second best is not an option. At all times the racing professional must never waver from the sole goal of race success.
Consider the above for a moment and then contemplate the remarkable recent double victory of Porsche Motorsport at ’24 Heures du Mans’. This was an incredible feat for a team which only returned to Le Mans in 2014 after a long absence.
Moreover, take a moment to reflect on the achievements of ‘Monsieur Le Mans’, Jacky Ickx. The Belgian driver has scored an impressive six victories at Le Mans, four of which were at the wheel of a Porsche. His victories reveal an incredible degree of dedication and personal sacrifice. Most of all, his relentless pursuit of success reveals a notable character trait, ‘tenacity’. Mr Ickx never gave up and his passion for progress never ebbed during his career.
It was because of this incredible feat of personal endurance in mind that Chopard recently honoured Jacky Ickx, an ambassador of both Chopard and Porsche, with the release of a new timepiece, the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition.
The dial
The Superfast Chrono was first released in 2012 in a resplendent 18-carat rose gold case. The following year, at Baseleworld 2013, steel variants were unveiled.
Chopard Superfast Chrono, Porsche 919 Hybrid Edition in steel ref. 168535-3002 (released in 2014)
Last year, in 2014, Porsche returned to Le Mans, choosing to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Chopard chose to sponsor the team. The Swiss watch brand released a limited edition version of the Superfast Chrono, the Porsche 919 Hybrid Edition in steel, replicating some of the design elements from the watch upon the dial. However, the latest iteration of the Superfast Chrono, the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition, is in my opinion, the finest example of the timepiece to date.
At first glance the dial appears to be a bi-compax layout, however, close examination reveals a small snailed subdial positioned at 6 o’clock displaying the running seconds. Its silver-toned detail discreetly blends with the matching dial canvas.
The chronograph registers, located at 3 and 9 o’clock, are larger than the small seconds display and show elapsed minutes and hours, respectively. Again, they feature snailed detail, but in this instance they are presented in ‘galvanic blue’, said to be inspired by the colour of Jacky Ickx’s racing helmet. A red central chronograph seconds hand, together with matching hands on the chronograph registers, evince a wonderful vibrancy to proceedings and are reminiscent of the hands found on car dashboard instruments.
Returning to the main dial canvas, the rectangular motifs, arranged in track-like forms and running north to south, are a deliberate reference to elements of the Porsche 919 Hybrid’s bodywork and were first seen on the aforementioned 2014 limited edition. The hour and minute hands, together with the hour markers, are bold and lined with copious amounts of luminescent material, optimising nocturnal legibility when driving at night.
At noon, ’12’ is proclaimed in a modern font. The angled text bestows a sense of dynamism and conveys a sense of speed. The dial flange is once again delivered in an eye-catching galvanic blue hue and provides an agreeable contrast with the other colours employed.
The case
Measuring 45mm in diameter, with a case height of 15.18mm, the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition oozes masculinity. The generous proportions of the case provide sufficient room for the dial details to breathe and confer ease of read-off. However, despite its significant wrist presence, the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition accords an agreeable union with the arm.
The bezel features a tachymeter scale which will prove useful when honing quick lap times. Eight black bolts grace the bezel, imparting a sense of strength. The black crown with a steering-wheel motif presented in relief on its vertical plane, proves simple to grip when winding the watch or adjusting the indications.
Despite the Superfast Chrono being priced more affordably than Chopard’s L.U.C models, the wearer won’t feel shortchanged. There are several areas of the case where it is clear that the maison has incurred much expense. The crown protectors are highly polished, gleam sumptuously, and proffer an impressive tactile quality. The caseband sports five recessed horizontal lines, each vying with light and illustrating the no-compromise case construction.
Other iterations of the Superfast Chrono are equipped with an exhibition caseback, indulging the desires of all horological petrolheads by according a view of the engine. I have always had a tendency to favour watches which incorporate a sapphire crystal on their dorsal flank. In this instance, Chopard has equipped the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition with a solid caseback, but somehow makes amends with an engraved depiction of Jacky’s signature and the number ’20’, a reference to the Porsche 936 he drove to race winning glory in 1976.
The movement
Beating within the engine bay of the Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition is the self-winding Chopard 03.05-M movement. This is fully integrated chronograph with a column-wheel system is produced in-house within Chopard’s state of the art ‘Fleurier Ebauches Workshops’.
The pushpieces operate incredibly smoothly and the central chronograph seconds hand, once instructed to start, sets off without the merest hesitation or stutter.
The Calibre 03.05-M movement is a flyback chronograph, proving very useful when timing successive events in quick succession. Furthermore, precision is assured, with chronometer certification (COSC).
Closing remarks
A few weeks ago, I chatted at length with Guy Bove, Product Development Director of Chopard, whilst gathering material for another article I was writing for IW Magazine about design and engineering. One thing soon became apparent, despite creating many superb timepieces in the past, Mr Bove and his team never cease trying to improve the watches they make.
Indeed, as this watch clearly illustrates, within the Chopard paradigm there is a ubiquitous ‘tenacity” shown by the talented team of designers and numerous craftsmen. The Swiss company continuously seek to improve its already impressive performances. It is perhaps for this reason that Mr Bove has captured the essence of Jacky Ickx with this timepiece which is, in my opinion, the finest Superfast Chrono to date.
Further reading
Technical Specification
- Model: Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 Jacky Ickx Edition
- Reference: 168535-3003
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 45.00 mm; height 15.18 mm; water resistant to 10 bar (100 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; chronograph; date.
- Movement: Chopard 03.05-M, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 45 jewels; power reserve 60 hours.
- Strap / Bracelet: Black rubber strap (slick tyre profile) presented on a stainless steel folding clasp
- Price: £8,460 (RRP as at 24.9.2015)
- Limited Edition: 100 pieces