LOUIS VUITTONCLASSIC

ZENITH, sponsor of the LOUIS VUITTON CLASSIC at Bagatelle

Thierry Nataf, President of Zenith International

For the second consecutive year ZENITH, the high quality Swiss watch manufacture, has been associated with the 15th edition of the LOUIS VUITTON CLASSIC at Bagatelle. The theme chosen this year was “The American Beauties”. The event was opened by M. Bernard Arnault, President of the LVMH Group.

Paris/Le Locle, 29June 2002. — A real tribute to automobile creativity and elegance, the LOUIS VUITTON CLASSIC celebrates the great automobile creations that have successfully combined authenticity and technological prowess. These values reflect the philosophy of the ZENITH high quality watch manufacture, and it is natural that the latter should, among other things, be associated with the event in rewarding the most beautiful machine.

From the eighty or so models handsomely displayed, including an exceptional collection of beautiful American automobiles, the Mercedes W 196/R of 1954 was chosen. This racing car marked the impressive return of the Mercedes factory to competition in 1954 at the Grand Prix of the Automobile Club de France at Reims, a race it won while crushing the competition. A technological masterpiece, the celebrated “silver arrow” also won two successive World Championships.

It is the passion brought to the mechanical world, an enthusiasm also shared for centuries by master watchmakers, that particularly delighted the jury of the ZENITH Prize. The attention paid to detail on the instrument panel recalls the meticulousness with which the dial of an exceptional watch is created; the original, streamlined design of the bodywork brings to mind the glorious design of the case of a watch. “Associated with technology and beauty, time becomes art” said Thierry Nataf, President of ZENITH International. “ZENITH is participating in this prestigious event that is synonymous with excellence and creativity. Time does not belong to us, but it is art and the mastery of automobile as well as watchmaking technology that allow us to make it our friend”, he added.
Philippe Maillard, Europa Star's Managing Director, with Thierry Nataf


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Source: Rouden Messmer press release
August 2002