At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Zurich had plans to host its own Grand Prix, but due to the war, the event was canceled. Now, nearly 80 years later, Maurice de Mauriac and racing simulation company Züri Ring Simulation are paying homage to the city’s automotive racing history and the Grand Prix by releasing a new customizable timepiece as part of the brand’s Pit Stop collection: the Chrono Modern Grand Prix Zurich, with two new dial references.
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The Swiss brand was founded by Daniel Dreifuss in 1997, a family-owned and operated business located in Zurich that specializes in mechanical watches with a minimalist design and a focus on colors and straps. The spirit of racing continues to thrive with this new release as Maurice de Mauriac has also recently been named official timekeeper of the Zurich Grand Prix 2023.
The chronograph is available in either a 42mm or 45mm 316L stainless steel case in brushed stainless steel or stainless steel with black PVD coating, and includes two subdials with a chronograph minute counter at 12:00, and chronograph hours at 6:00, with an ETA 7750 automatic chronograph caliber, which can be viewed through the see-through sapphire crystal caseback.
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Other highlights include racing stripes in blue and white, symbolizing the city’s historical colors, as well as Lucky Numbers featured on the dial at the 9:00 mark, allowing wearers to personalize their timepieces with a significant number of their choice ranging from 01 to 99, and finished with a brushed steel bracelet, stainless steel with black PVD coating, or NATO strap with a white/blue color combo racing stripe motif.
Beyond the watch release, the brand’s partnership with the Züri Ring Simulation Motodrom, spearheaded by managing director Tom Mächler, is putting racing lovers right into the action by offering a simulation that gives riders a choice of 200 racetracks and 200 cars to choose from as they virtually race through Zurich’s tracks, designed in association with racing legend Hans Herrmann, racing photographer Rainer W. Schlegelmilch and Formula 1 media designer Stefano Luzzatto.
The timepiece is available for purchase now via Maurice de Mauriac’s website and will retail for $4,070.