The Race, The Car | Duncan Hamiltons' no.18 Le Mans '53 Jaguar C-Type
Over 70 years ago, driver Duncan Hamilton had been told he was disqualified on a technicality, having successfully negotiated the qualifying of Le Mans 1953 - He was understandably short-fused after the news was broken to him, & decided to head to a local bar to have a drink - It was only after then, that he was told he could race after all, as the stewards had decided to overturn his disqualification. The news broke a little late, as by this time, Duncan was well & truly deep in his alcohol-induced merriness. But if he was to race, he was to race drunk - And he did. And he won!
His steed was one built of brain & brawn - Aluminium bodywork hewn & hammered by hand in traditional metal-working fashion in an incredible display of artistry and craftsmanship. Jaguars' entry to Le Mans 1953 was semi-legendary. The Jaguar C-Type. Its' shape transcends fashion & tastes of subsequent eras & remains one of the most beautiful objects ever created, in the world of motorsport. Duncan Hamiltons' No.18 C-Type took the race, stole the hearts of the crowd & simultaneously cemented its' driver a coveted place in motor racing history.
The Watch | Bremont Jaguar C-Type ref. SS-BK-R-S
The Bremont Jaguar C-Type Edition reference C-TYPE-SS-BK-R-S was built to commemorate 70 Years since the victory of racing legend Duncan Hamilton, who beat legendary team mate Stirling Moss & others of the fastest of their age to victory in Le Mans 1953. - This profound watch, presented to the Hamilton family on the 70th anniversary of his historic win.
The heritage of this beautiful timepiece is made all the more visceral by its' previous stewardship - Ownership by the Hamilton Family themselves, complete with original artefacts as seen below. The gold inlay depicting the aggressive-looking
Jaguar visage can be viewed on the caseback.
The C-Types' beautiful & curvaceous aluminium bodywork has been further immortalised by Bremont in the bezel of the watch, with further hints revealing a red accent on the small seconds subdial, a nod to the smiths gauges on the original C-Type. The red tipped chronograph also being a nod to the cars' tachometer.
Before his Le Mans Win | The 1951 G.P De Portugal
The G.P De Portugal 1951 was the first Grand Prix to be held at the circuit, won ultimately by Casimiro De Oliveira in his Ferrari 340 America Berlina Vignale with a time of 2:46:47:600. Hamilton, in his Jaguar XK120 did not finish
Prova 1951 or 'Test' was the first GP at the circuit. This very medallion was given to him as one of the drivers in the race & part of the heritage set sold with the watch.
Brooklands | The First of its' Kind.
This hood ornament was one of several used by Duncan Hamilton during his races at the worlds first purpose-built race-track. Elements of the track and its' famous (and infamous) banks can still be seen today both up-close and from the air. Brooklands is known as the cradle of motorsport, with many of the surrounding landmarks and establishments bearing the names of near-forgotten heroes of the sport - Many of which died on the banks of this circuit. A museum dedicated to the history of Brooklands as a racetrack and its' aeronautical history as a base for Lancaster bombers in the Second World War sit at the heart of the track, dotted with bunkers and heavy defences - The guns are silent now, but seem ever on guard - A somber reminder of the close relationship between Thrill, Danger, & Tragedy.
Monaco | Air, Land & Sea
Duncan Hamilton was himself an aviator - He would spend the war years as part of the Fleet Air Arm, flying Lysanders - A strange-spindly looking aircraft that were easy targets for German pilots, even with the immortal Hurricane fighter aircraft protecting its' flank. Perhaps lesser known, however, was his connection to the sea. Being a member of the esteemed Monaco Yacht Club, and his affiliations with the beautiful classic sailing yacht, Cynara.
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