LIP's New Partnership with the French Historic Grand Prix
LIP Becomes the Official Timekeeper for the French Historic Grand Prix
With a long history of winning numerous timekeeping awards, Lip is honored to become, for the first time and for the next three years, the official timekeeper of the French Historic Grand Prix.
Gathered at an exceptional venue, the most beautiful Formula 1 cars from McLaren, Williams, Ligier, and many other teams that have shaped the history of auto racing will be on display for an audience of more than 52,000 spectators.
On April 19, 20, and 21, 2024, the Paul Ricard Circuit will host this exclusive event, featuring no fewer than 13 auto races over the course of a single weekend, and it is the famous watch brand from Besançon that will be timing the races down to the tenth of a second during this major event to ensure flawless timing. LIP will take advantage of the event to unveil its two new Rally Chronographs, specially designed for this Grand Prix.
A true motorsports enthusiast, the legendary boss Fred Lip collected and drove supercars from the world's finest automakers, including Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Combining his passion for automotive mechanics and watchmaking, Fred Lip even had custom modifications made, including the addition of a Lip chronometer to his Ferrari 410 Superamerica.
Current CEO Pierre-Alain Bérard wanted to pay tribute to the passion of his predecessor, Fred Lip, by once again becoming the official timekeeper and by designing and developing timekeeping instruments tailored to auto racing
Exclusive launch of the new Lip chronographs celebrating auto racing
After paying tribute to the 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica and the 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, Lip is unveiling its two new limited-edition models at the French Historic Grand Prix:
- "Grand Prix de France Historique" Automatic Rally Chronograph—Limited edition of 255 pieces worldwide.
- Méca-Quartz "Grand Prix de France Historique" Rally Chronograph, limited edition of 1,906 pieces worldwide.
Featuring a chronograph scale around the edge of the dial to allow drivers to calculate their lap times, the two new models are worthy successors to the sleek chronographs used in car rallies of the past.
The new dials feature a blue center that generously surrounds the sub-dials, which are silver in color and connected to the center by a checkered flag to celebrate the competitive spirit of the two chronographs.
Another distinctive feature: the red numerals on the dial are used to indicate the minutes during normal time-telling and the seconds when the chronograph function is activated.
Exclusive to the automatic model, a chronograph movement featuring a column wheel and a vertical clutch powers this limited edition, of which only 255 pieces have been produced worldwide.
The second model, meanwhile, was produced in a limited run of 1,906 units to commemorate the founding date of the
As the first Grand Prix de France, it will feature a mecha-quartz movement that combines the precision of quartz for the timekeeping system with a mechanical base for the chronograph function.
Both new models feature a black perforated leather strap in true racing style, with blue topstitching.
Technical Specifications
Automatic Rally Chronograph
NE86 Mechanical Self-Winding Chronograph Movement:
28,800 vibrations per hour / 34 jewels / 45-hour power reserve when fully wound / Vertical clutch and column wheel / Côtes de Genève finishing on the rotor / -15/+15 seconds per day
Case: 316L stainless steel, 42 mm in diameter
Dial: Blue and white rally design / French Grand Prix logo at 6 o'clock / Chronograph scale / Silver sub-dials connected by a checkered flag
Glass: domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Features: 3 hands—hours, minutes, and small seconds at 9 o’clock. Silver and white luminescent hour and minute hands. Central chronograph hand with a red tip / Date (quick-set) / Chronograph up to 30 minutes (30-minute counter at 3 o’clock) / Cumulative elapsed time measurement / Stop-second function
Strap: perforated black leather with blue topstitching, featuring a folding clasp with a push button
Water resistance: 50 meters
Limited Edition of 255 copies
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Méca-Quartz Rally Chronograph
VK64 Mecha-Quartz Hybrid Chronograph Movement:
The timekeeping system operates on a quartz basis (accuracy: +/-20 seconds per month) / The chronograph function operates on a mechanical basis with precise and instantaneous start, stop, and reset functions
Case: 316L stainless steel, 39 mm in diameter
Dial: Blue and white rally design / French Grand Prix logo at 6 o'clock / Chronograph scale / Silver sub-dials connected by a checkered flag
Glass: domed mineral glass
Functions: 2 hands: hours/minutes. Silver and white luminescent hour and minute hands / 1/5-second chronograph up to 60 minutes. Central chronograph hand in silver with a red tip. Chronograph minute counter at 9 o’clock / Date (quick-set) / 24-hour hand (counter at 3 o’clock) / Stop-second function
Wristband: perforated black leather with blue topstitching, pin buckle
Water resistance: 50 meters
Limited edition of 1,906 copies