Jacky Ickx, Legendary Driver, Talks Racing, Teaming With Chopard

Recently, I had the good fortune, for a second time in my recent years, to sit down and talk with legendary race car driver, Jacky Ickx. We discussed his love of racing, time and watches. In fact, he has been a friend of Chopard for nearly 36 years.

(This article by Roberta Naas first appeared on DuPont Registry.)

Jacky Ickx, a name synonymous with speed, precision, and an undying passion for motorsport, has forged a legendary partnership with Swiss brand Chopard that spans over three decades – and recently resulted in the seventh joint venture Chopard x Jacky Ickx timepiece. The newest Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 timepiece, a tribute to the illustrious career of the famed automobile pilot, features a host of nods to the successes of this legend.

Ickx, who met and started collaborating with Chopard co-founder Karl-Friedrich Scheufele in 1988, is one of the watch industry’s longest-standing band ambassadors with a single company.

“We met 36 years ago and our shared passions for motor sports and precision brought us together,” said Ickx in a private interview. “We have passed the boundaries of a normal business relationship. I became a member of the family, in a way, and today I even accompany KFS on some of the Mille Miglia races. Not as a driver but as the passenger.”

The 79-year-old Ickx has a long and storied career that dates back to 1966 and witnesses six wins of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, eight wins and 25 podium finishes in Formula 1, a Can-Am Challenge Cup Championship, a Paris-Dakar Rally victory and much more. In fact, Ickx is one of a handful of yester-year trailblazers who were able to compete across many types of competitions, from F1 to endurance racing and more, driving a variety of cars.

The new Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 timepiece collaboration, with lines inspired by classic automobiles, reflects many of Ickx’s successes. It also deftly underscores Chopard’s on-going commitment to motorsports, precision and sustainability.  The 40.5mm round watch boasts a dark midnight blue dial that recalls the helmet Jacky Ickx requested be made early on in his career and that was his signature look forever after. Initially, the patented helmet was in bright blue, but transitioned in 1972 to midnight.

The rich blue dial features a white tachymeter scale on the outer rim for measuring speed and boasts the words Mille Miglia in red beneath the Chopard logo. In fact, Chopard has been the distinguished partner and timekeeper of the Mille Miglia races since they were re-established in 1988.

Further paying homage to Ickx, the date aperture on the chronograph watch, between 4:00 and 5:00, on the dial showcases the date in white, except for the 6 and the 24 – when the date is indicated in red. Those dates refer to Ickx’s six victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Additionally, the case back of the watch features a new element co-designed by Ickx and Scheufele: the Owl Helmet (Le Casque “Hibou”). Requested by Ickx in 1969, the helmet features two apertures, enhanced with white outlines, that were protected by a visor. The look recalls the eyes of an owl. In fact, Ickx was the first in his time to wear a full-face helmet — admitting that he did not have faith in the safety of the helmets of the era.

The helmet is in the center of the sapphire case back inset, and on a blue circular ring are the words Jacky Ickx  and Time Attack – representing the timed pre-races he would have to run to qualify for racing. Each watch features a box-like sapphire crystal protecting the front dial, fixed in place by a thin bezel, and recalling the style of watches from the 1950’s and 1960’s.

There are two versions of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 being made, both of which underscore Chopard’s commitment to sustainability, as well as precision. In fact, Chopard has long been a pioneer in sustainability and years ago made a long-standing commitment to Fairmined and ethical gold. Exactly 50 pieces of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 will be made in Lucent Steel™ — a product made with 80 percent recycled steel – with an 18-karat ethical yellow gold bezel. It retails for $12,100.  Another 250 pieces will be made in Lucent Steel™ and retails for $10,300.

Both timepieces are powered by a COSC-certified in-house-made mechanical self-winding movement with 54 hours of power reserve.  Both versions are finished with the highly recognizable rubber strap with Dunlop tire pattern from the 1960’s – now for the first time in midnight blue.

In speaking with Ickx, he was fast to give credit where credit was due – not just for his racing career, but also for the making of the newest watch in Chopard’s line up.

“People call me a legend, but the reality is you are who you are because of those around you. You are never alone when you are successful;  it is the large group of people behind you  that bring you there.  In a racing competition you need a tool. The tool is the car. I consider that 90 percent of the job is done by unknown people who have the expertise and passion to do it right  before the start of a race. You just have to finish the job,” says Ickx humbly. “I think Chopard is successful, too,  because behind the curtain there are many artists in many areas who do the job with expertise and with passion. The referee is those who decide to buy the watch.”

So, does Ickx still drive the tracks? “I still drive, but the idea is not offering the shadow of what I was 40 years ago. It is just a pleasure to drive a car and to see the fans on the other side, filled with passion for the sport. But  I don’t compete because  if you are tempted to compete at a certain age it means you have a problem somewhere.”

 As to what’s next, Ickx said he was just named a brand partner for Hyundai/Kia for the Genesis luxury car. “I am back in action with cars, but I have turned the page. This is a new page, so I can enjoy what is remaining of the future. Because when the shorter way is in front of you, time is so much more precious.,” says Ickx, quipping, “so you have to look at your watch a lot.”