A look back at all the memorable highlights of Monterey Car Week.
For Rolex and its fuel-driven passion for all things automotive, the Monterey Peninsula proves to be the heartbeat of car culture every August, with a week-long celebration of events and shows.This year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2024 was no exception, welcoming collectors and enthusiasts from around the globe to commemorate rare classics, supercars, and everything in between.
After days of anticipation, the spotlight finally landed on the 1924 Hispano-Suiza H6C Nieuport-Astra Torpedo, crowned Best of Show on the famed 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. The century-old coachbuild amazed crowds following a meticulous two-year restoration with its wooden coachwork and sporting character. Owners Penny and Lee Anderson were honored for their dedication with an engraved Rolex Perpetual 1908 as a fitting tribute from the watchmaker linked to this event for nearly three decades.
The 2024 Concours welcomed 229 cars and nearly 20,000 spectators, making it a true spectacle of automotive heritage. The event emphasizes authenticity and innovation, echoed by Honorary Judge Tom Kristensen, nine-time Le Mans winner and Rolex Testimonee. He described elegance as a mix of prestige, authenticity, and style, qualities that defined the winning Hispano-Suiza. Yet Pebble Beach is only one highlight of Monterey Car Week. Just up the road, Laguna Seca roared with life during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. From pre-war legends to endurance racers with long resumes, the racetrack became a rolling museum. Grand Marshal Jenson Button even jumped behind the wheel of a 1996 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT, reminding fans that these cars are meant to be driven, not just displayed.
Friday welcomed The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, where Rolex marked 20 years as the Official Timepiece. Known for its exclusivity and relaxed California atmosphere, The Quail showcased everything from timeless classics to futuristic designs. This year, the spotlight fell on the ultra-rare 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1, which earned the Rolex Best of Show award. Its owner, Art Zafiropoulo, proudly accepted an engraved Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36, a watch that will forever tie him to the car’s celebrated moment. What makes The Quail so special is the way it balances nostalgia with innovation, a reminder that car culture is as much about passion as it is about the engineering behind it.
The week wouldn’t be complete without the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex, held along the dramatic Big Sur coastline. With 190 vintage cars making the 65-mile round trip across Bixby Bridge, it’s a chance for the public to see these rare cars in motion before they take center stage at the Concours. Since 2007, Rolex has sponsored the rally. As engines cooled and awards were handed out, Monterey Car Week 2025 once again proved why it’s considered the world’s greatest celebration of motoring. From the Hispano-Suiza’s victory to the roar of Laguna Seca, it was a week where history, innovation, and passion came together in perfect harmony.
Source: Rolex