Valencia, Spain - Luxury watch manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre announced its partnership with MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi and introduced the first watch resulting from that collaboration, the Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph '46' (246 pieces for the world). Rossi, who is a confirmed watch fan, visited the brand's Le Sentier manufacture in April 2006 and development then started on the first watch of what should be a long and fruitful partnership.


Valentino Rossi signing autographs in Venice

“The collaboration between Valentino and Jaeger comes at the right time, with the right product and the right creativity,” says Jérôme Lambert, President, Jaeger-LeCoultre. "It is a joint creation. The designers and engineers shared their ideas and creations with Valentino and he approved them. The result is a Master Compressor expressing Valentino's spirit.


Valentino Rossi and Jérôme Lambert, CEO Jaeger-LeCoultre, at the press conference in Valencia

“46 is Valentino's number plate, but it's also the diameter of the watch,” he continues. “We made a design adjustment to the existing watch, introducing a touch of Rossi. Six of the time zones are GP circuit names, we included a chequered flag seconds indicator and the caseback is engraved with his number and his signature. This special watch is the only one available in rose gold and titanium, with steel black PVD-coated chronograph pushers.”


Master Compressor Extreme World Chronograph '46'

Though Lambert knew Rossi was huge in the MotoGP world, he had no idea just how popular he was until he came to Le Sentier. “I never knew of his connection with and appeal to people across the board, young and old, male and female, even kids,” he admits. "Everyone knows him. We lost half a day of production when he visited the manufacture because people crowded around him and asked for his autograph. One woman couldn't assemble watches for the rest of the day because her hands were trembling so much; she was so excited after meeting him.


Valentino Rossi at the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture in Le Sentier

“We have built a relationship around this partnership with Rossi,” Lambert continues. “He wears our watches but he is more than an ambassador — he is an inspiration and a source of energy for our team.”

Jaeger-LeCoultre will deliver these watches this month and every piece is already spoken for. It is a very attractive watch, elegant yet extremely technical and rugged at the same time. Rossi and Lambert promised more Rossi-themed watches in the future.

“I have always liked watches, but before I visited the Jaeger-LeCoultre manufacture, my appreciation and understanding was not the same,” Rossi says. “A lot of people spend their lives working on these watches. The precision and attention to detail is amazing. It's like the Yamaha factory and the watch is like a racing bike. I like yellow and in the future, we will have more 46 and more yellow.”

The MotoGP season ended October 29, 2006 with the final race in Valencia, Spain. Rossi was leading the Rider's Championship in points, but crashed in the fourth lap and was out of contention (he finished second in points for the season, 13th in the race). American rider Nicky Hayden finished third in the race and won the Rider's Championship for the first time. Rossi, in a classy move that spoke volumes about his personality, rode up and congratulated Hayden, grabbing him by the arm and shaking him in excitement, while he was taking his victory lap. Rossi's energy, personality and infectious positive spirit are a big reason why Lambert and Jaeger-LeCoultre wanted to work with him.
Lambert was tight lipped about what Rossi watches were going to be introduced in SIHH next year, but he did say that it would most probably be a new manufacture movement exclusively for the Rossi partnership.

Here at Europa Star, we can't wait to see what other watches come out of this unique partnership. Rest assured, we will keep you posted.


Jérôme Lambert, CEO Jaeger-LeCoultre, next to one of Rossi's Yamaha motorbikes

Source: Europa Star

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