www.worldwatchweb.com - The chronograph used by Ferruccio Massara when timing Fausto Coppi’s legendary Cycling World Hour Record at the Velodromo Vigorelli in Milan on 7 November 1942 will be one of the highlights of Sotheby’s Geneva sale of Important Watches to be staged at the Hôtel Beau-Rivage on Sunday 15 May 2011.
The Campionissimo’s record (45.798 km in an hour) stood for 14 years until it was broken by Jacques Anquetil in 1956.
Fausto Coppi and Ferruccio Massara holding the chronograph used to time
the Cycling World Hour Record at the Velodromo Vigorelli in Milan
on 7 November 1942
Born on 15 September 1919, Angelo Fausto Coppi (1919-1960) went on to transcend sport in the years following World War II, the Golden Age of cycling. During his fifteen-year career, he won no fewer than seven Grand Tours, including two Tours de France and five Giro d’Italia. His successes also comprise a World Championship Road Race; a first place in the Paris-Roubaix; three Milan-San Remo titles; five Tours of Lombardy titles; and a Fleche Wallonne victory.
Made by Ulysse Nardin circa 1915, the silver open-faced keyless lever split-seconds chronograph will be offered for sale with an estimate of CHF 20,000-30,000/ $22,100-33,200* (illustrated left). The watch comes with a letter from the Associazione Cronometristi Sportivi in Torino confirming that it was used by the official time keep, Ferruccio Massara when Fausto Coppi set the record.
Source: Sotheby’s
