ROLEX PRESS RELEASE..
Geneva, Spring 2026 – “Crossing the finish line in 2001, I clearly remember seeing the Rolex clock”, says Danish racing driver Tom Kristensen as he reflects on the golden years of his career at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “It was also the toughest 24 hours on track – an incredible moment all round.” These closing seconds brought Kristensen his third of a record nine overall race wins, earning him the nickname ‘Mr Le Mans’ and commencing a legacy reaching far beyond the track. That same year, Rolex became Official Timepiece of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the 2026 edition marking the 25th anniversary of this iconic partnership.
Rolex’s origins in endurance racing date back to 1959 when the brand’s association with Daytona International Speedway®, Florida, began. Since then, the Swiss watchmaker has been a steadfast presence in the sport, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans a cornerstone of this journey. Kristensen made his debut at the event in 1997 as a young rookie and late addition to the Joest Racing team. He immediately mastered the demanding nature of this race to take the chequered flag, claiming a lap record en-route. Rolex Testimonee Kristensen says: “As soon as I got in the car and I took the lead, I could feel it was the beginning of something special. I’ve made so many quick decisions throughout my career, many of which have paid off. Endurance racing is all about timing, each overtake, pitstop or move is often a splitsecond decision.”
The following two years brought learnings and setbacks, which only strengthened Kristensen’s desire to secure the crown once more. From 2000 to 2005, he achieved six consecutive overall wins with four different teams – an extraordinary sequence that defined that era of endurance racing. Awaiting him at the end of the relentless twice-around-the-clock contest, as he stepped onto the podium, was a speciallyengraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona – the Rolex timepiece awarded to the drivers who conquer time and win overall. Kristensen emphasizes the importance of these watches and the memories they hold: “Each watch tells a story, and the first Rolex I received after winning at the 24 Hours of Le Mans holds a memory very dear to me. It says ‘winner’ on the back and it’s forever on my wrist.” In 2014, at the age of 47 the racing legend hung up his gloves. He has since keenly observed the event’s evolution as a spectator – from the introduction of the Hypercar class, the centenary edition in 2023, to the advancement of more sustainable technologies and the emergence of the next generation of talent. During this time, the spirit of the 24 Hours of Le Mans held firm, as did the teamwork, resilience and the synonymous green and gold presence of Rolex. Today, the magic of the 24 Hours of Le Mans continues to captivate the next generation. Among the drivers who have followed in Kristensen’s footsteps and risen to this unique challenge are fellow Rolex Testimonees Mark Webber, Jamie Chadwick and Nyck de Vries.
A multi-disciplined talent, de Vries joined the Rolex family earlier this year ahead of the 2026 season. The Dutch driver is a proven contender at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with seven appearances and a second-place finish in 2024. De Vries discusses what it means to race with Rolex by his side: “It’s a huge honour to become part of the Rolex family of motor sport Testimonees. Rolex has such a strong history in sport and especially in motor racing, so to be associated with that legacy means a lot.”
On Saturday 13 June at 4.00 p.m. local time, de Vries will strive to go one better as he lines up alongside the Rolex clock at Circuit de la Sarthe, France. And witnessing his quest for greatness first hand will be ‘Mr Le Mans’. 25 years on from that defining glance at the Rolex clock, time will once again be everything for drivers and teams throughout day and night at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
ROLEX AND MOTOR SPORT Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminates in defining moments – determined by a path followed, not just a trophy. In motor sport this association started in the 1930s when Sir Malcolm Campbell set World Land Speed Records on Daytona Beach with a Rolex Oyster on his wrist. Since then, Rolex’s support has grown, extending to the sport’s most esteemed figures, revered endurance championships and leading events. This affiliation encompasses the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the contests that come together to form the Triple Crown of Endurance Racing – the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the Twelve Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For almost three decades, Rolex has also supported classic automotive events steeped in elegance, beauty and tradition, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® and the Goodwood Revival. Rolex welcomed motor sport icon Sir Jackie Stewart into its family of Testimonees in 1968 and he has since been joined by fellow legends: Tom Kristensen, the record nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Mark Webber, the 2015 FIA World Endurance Champion and multiple Grand Prix™ winner. The Swiss watchmaker also supports the next generation of talent, including Jamie Chadwick, who continues to break down barriers across motor sport and Nyck de Vries, a leading figure in the WEC, with success across multiple disciplines.
ABOUT ROLEX AN UNRIVALLED REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EXPERTISE Rolex is an integrated and independent Swiss watch manufacture. Headquartered in Geneva, the brand is recognized the world over for its expertise and the quality of its products – symbols of excellence, elegance and prestige. The movements of its Oyster Perpetual and Perpetual watches are certified and tested in-house for their precision, performance and reliability. The Superlative Chronometer certification, symbolized by the green seal, confirms that each watch has successfully undergone tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria. These are periodically validated by independent external organizations.
‘SUPERLATIVE’ – inscribed on every Oyster watch – represents the philosophy and values of Rolex. It embodies the notion of perpetual excellence instilled by the brand’s founder, Hans Wilsdorf, which drives the company forward and carries through into everything it does. This ethos led Rolex to pioneer the development of the wristwatch and numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the brand’s first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism, invented in 1931. In the course of its history, Rolex has registered more than 700 patents. At its four sites in Switzerland, the brand designs, develops and produces the majority of its watch components. A fifth site, also in Switzerland, is under construction and is expected to open in 2029. Rolex carries out its own manufacturing operations, from casting the gold alloys to machining, crafting, assembling and finishing the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Furthermore, the brand is actively involved in supporting the arts and culture, sport and exploration, as well as those who are devising solutions to preserve the planet.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Rolex SA Delphine Clavel delphine.clavel@rolex.com Tel: +41 (0)22 302 22 00
Influence Morgan Banks morgan@influencesports.com Tel: +44 (0)7717 681 545
