The 24 Hours of Le Mans

Few races are as legendary as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This twice-around-the-clock challenge – which Rolex has supported since 2001 as the Official Timepiece – sees teams race for a grueling 24 hours straight and is so competitive that until the final moments, nothing is decided. Time is always of the essence. Here at Kirk Freeport, we are honored to share in Rolex’s rich motorsport history and the values at the heart of this endurance challenge: dedication, resilience and precision.

The 92nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race that celebrates endurance and motor sport excellence, takes places on June 15 and 16, 2024. Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of this legendary event since 2001.

Published on June 15, 2024

Long and proud history of epic racing

Created in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the oldest and one of the most prestigious car races in the world. A stern test of the reliability of the machines as well as the physical and mental stamina of the drivers, Le Mans attracts some of the greatest names in motor sport. On the 8.4-mile (13.6 kilometers) Circuit de la Sarthe in northwest France, some 62 cars, each with teams of three drivers, race against each other, divided into two Prototype and one GT Class. The winning team is the one which covers the greatest distance in 24 hours, some 3,293 miles (5,300 kilometers). Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of the race since 2001.

Continuous innovation over the decades

Since its inaugural edition, the mythical event has been an ideal testing ground for the many advances in motor sport technologies. The trialing of a new road surface in 1922 (still viable today), improvements to safety, engines and aerodynamics, as well as, since 2022, the requirement for all cars to run on 100 percent renewable biofuel, are among the notable developments marking a century of progress supported by this legendary endurance race. New automotive manufacturers contesting the top class in 2024 include Alpine, BMW and Lamborghini, emphasizing the importance and relevance of the event for the car industry.

Tom Kristensen: “Mr. Le Mans”

Tom Kristensen has well and truly earned his nickname. The most successful driver in the legendary race’s history, he won it a record nine times, starting with his debut in 1997. A Rolex Testimonee since 2010, the Danish racing driver was FIA World Endurance champion in 2013. “You carry a win at Le Mans with you forever. I feel proud and humble reflecting on the race’s legacy and Rolex’s involvement with motor sport. Together they are the perfect combination; both striving for excellence through persistence, technical innovation and human endeavor.”

The Cosmograph Daytona: a singular prize

The winners of the top class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans receive an Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, specially engraved for the occasion. A legendary watch whose characteristic design has become iconic, the Cosmograph Daytona is emblematic of Rolex’s expertise. Equipped with a movement entirely designed and produced by the Rolex manufacture, it stands out by virtue of its chronometric precision as well as its unfailing reliability.

Rolex expertise at Kirk Freeport

In a league of its own, the 24 Hours of Le Mans embodies a relentless commitment to performance and reliability – qualities that align beautifully with the Rolex philosophy and the Kirk Freeport values. As the only Official Rolex Jeweler in the Cayman Islands, we are deeply committed to enduring legacies. Since our founding in the 1960s, multiple generations of Kirkconnell family members have been at the helm of our company. Today, we take pride in continuing to share the exceptional quality of Rolex timepieces and our family’s longstanding expertise with multiple generations of clients here in the Cayman Islands. We invite you to experience the Kirk Freeport warm, family welcome as you explore the Rolex collection in our beautiful George Town showroom.