An opportunity to purchase a piece of motor racing history presents itself at Cheffins’ Fine Art’s Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sale on Thursday 01 August 2019.
Entered as Lot 257 is a stopwatch watch which was apparently used in the 1950 Le Mans 24-hour endurance race for one of the six cars entered by Automobiles Gordini, who later became a division of Renault sport.
The inscription on the back of the watch records that it was for car 32 in the race, a Simca Gordini T15S coupé driven in the race by Frenchmen Maurice Trintgnat and Robert Manzon.
Also, in team Gordini that year was car number 33, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, a five-times Formula One Champion who is considered one of the best racing drivers of all time.
Trintgnat won the Le Mans in 1954 and the Monaco Grand Prix in 1955 and 1958 during a 14-year racing career, while Manzon’s career-best finish during a six-year career was a third place in Formula One in 1950.
In the 1950s Le Mans race the pair were forced to retire after completing only 34 laps due to a faulty radiator and eventually all six Gordini cars retired, including Fangio’s, with mechanical issues.
Steven Collins, head of jewellery, silver and watches at Cheffins Fine Art, said: “This is a fascinating item and an opportunity to buy a piece of motor racing history.
“1950 is a very siginifcant year for motor racing fans. What we now know as Formula 1 started in this year, with the first race at the iconic Silverstone racetrack.”