If you get a chance to drop in on the Concours d 'Elegance at Pebble Beach, the annual pilgrimage for a certain kind of car enthusiast, you should go. Maybe for the cars, most of which are beautiful and often rare, but definitely for the scene. It's Coachella for the one percent. (Better manners, nicer port-a-potties ?)
A gold Replica Rolex Daytona with green face, owned by Joseph Cassini III
"Pebble,?as it's usually called, is recognized worldwide as one of the most important and historic automotive shows in the world. But back in 1950, it was a last-minute addition to the first West Coast Road Races at Pebble Beach ?added by the organizers ??to underscore a more social and genteel aspect of motorsports.?Last year was the 70th anniversary of the event, but because of the COVID-19 lockdown, the celebration was postponed until this year.
Unrestored 1956 Porsche Carrera Coupe owned by Chuck House, which took home 2nd Place in the Post-War Preservation Class.
The Concours is quite a sight: Think of the pristine green lawns of one of the world's most longed-for golf courses that, for one day, are embellished with scores and scores of beautifully detailed autos, some predating World War I. Their chrome sparkles. Their paint (unblemished, except in the pre-restoration class) glows with a depth that only meticulous refurbishment can provide. Owners stand nearby chatting and answering admirers?questions. Many dress to complement their car's era and color.
Seen in Carmel: This is Simon. Simon has a 1957 Silver Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe. He believes that cars should be driven. He drives it and he parks it on the street. Simon also has a Paul Newman Replica Rolex Daytona 6239 (below).
The crowd swans by, often hatted in deliciously outrageous ways. "Was that a hat, or a beach umbrella??I wondered, walking behind a truly striking woman whose very, very large hat threatened to fly away in the breeze that occasionally rolled off the bay. Luxury brands are all around me ?Hermès (a cognac crocodile Birkin in a hard-to-find tiny size; a deep red Kelly, its golden hardware casually dangling), Gucci (sneakers, backpacks, totes), Chanel (a large bag that announces the brand's name and its Rue Cambon address on its front), and Ferragamo (its driving shoe seemed especially popular).
Words seen on the back of a pink McLaren 720S : "TRUST FUND.?/p>
A Patek Philippe fake watch and Eric Ku's Singer-modified Porsche 911.
A Patek Philippe on the wrist of Eric Ku, and his Singer-modified Porsche 911 in the background.
Judges in their signature navy blazers and panama hats stroll from car to car, quietly consulting among themselves as owners, trying to contain their anxiety, hover discreetly nearby. Champagne flows in the corporate boxes, where VIPs enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres and excellent views a few feet above the hoi polloi. (I have to say, the view at ground level wasn't bad at all.)
A Cartier recreation of a 20's or 30's Cartier Tank made for the Prince of Nepal and named for him. This "Prince Of Nepal" edition was reproduced around 1990 in brushed platinum.
Cartier Crash 1967 (and more, below).
And for once, no one seemed to be consulting their iPhones for the time. At Pebble, it felt as if everyone wore a watch. Even Millennials, who are often assumed to be non-watch-wearers, were lifting their wrists to note the time ?or maybe to flash their timepieces. In a way this makes perfect sense: The people at Pebble are here because they admire or long for (or possess or are planning to possess) cars. Even I, who am perfectly happy with my Volkswagen Golf (a limited edition TDI in Tornado Red ?) can understand the enthusiasm for some of these beauties. So I'm not surprised that the people who are car enthusiasts are also fake watch enthusiasts. Because really, when you think of it, what is a fake watch but another kind of fine machine ?albeit wrist-sized? Or pocket-sized, if that's your thing.
Detail of the front of a 1930 Packard Deluxe Eight 745 Dietrich Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton
Hood Ornament for 1930 Packard Deluxe Eight 745 Dietrich Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton
So that afternoon, as the Concours pennants snapped in the breeze, as the bay sparkled beyond, I got schooled on the intricacies of what felt like 2,000 different Replica Rolexes and of course, the Paul Newman Daytona, the Holy Grail for some collectors. The James Cameron Sea-Dweller Second Edition (it has a gradient blue face that references how dark the sea becomes from surface to its inky depths). An elegant couple from New Jersey had different versions of the Paul Newman Daytona ?his in gold, with a deep green face and hers, in stainless steel with a white face and a black ceramic bezel. But there were other replica watches ?a Breitling Navitimer, an Omega Speedmaster, a Fossil, a G-Shock ?There were Cartiers (gold-and-steel Santos, stainless Pashas, a few Ballon Bleus), and a smattering of Patek Philippes. My favorite Pateks were the unornamented versions ?no chronometers, no pavéed faces or bezels ?with a plain leather strap. As Coco Chanel once noted "elegance is refusal.?/p>
Porsche Design SU 15 Flat Six watch
A 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton, owned by Joseph & Margie Cassini III.
Everyone was happy to share stories about their cars ?like the 1957 Porsche Carrera that was actually found in a barn, every car guy's fantasy come to life ?and their watches. Several of which were passed down by beloved relatives no longer living. And as ribbons were awarded and more Champagne was poured, it was a celebration, an acknowledgement of survival in an unprecedented year of challenges. And in the impromptu toasts, hope for a better future. I heard various versions of the same thing as I left: "See you next year!?/p>
God and this interminable pandemic willing.
Words by Karen Grigsby Bates, a Los Angeles-based correspondent for NPR. She mostly wears a medium-sized Cartier Tank Francaise. Photos by Bruce Talamon.
Rolex Daytona
Tiffany Atlas Classic From Tiffany & Co.
A 1938 Peugeot 402 Darl'mat Pourtout Roadster. Note the car badges on front.
Eterna 911. Before TAG Heurer and Porsche collaborated, Eterna had a special edition 911 watch.
Omega Speedmaster, seen in Carmel
1967 Ferrari 275 GTS NART Spyder
Seen at Porsche Werks Reunion: Zodiac Oceanaire Diver
Concours Day: A tool kit for a 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Barker Landaulette.
A Replica Rolex Submariner
Werks Reunion: Bell & Ross fake watch
A 1954 Ferrari 735 S. Monza Scaglietti Spyder that participated in the La Carrera Panamericana Road Race in Mexico.
Karen Grigsby Bates is a Los Angeles-based correspondent for NPR. She mostly wears a medium-sized Cartier Tank Francaise.
Bruce W. Talamon and his personal Replica Rolex GMT-Master that he has worn since 1979, were featured in Volume 4 of the HODINKEE Magazine. His latest photo book is published by TASCHEN, titled Bruce W. Talamon SOUL R&B FUNK PHOTOGRAPHS 1972-1982. When he is not photographing musicians, replica watches or cars, he shoots advertising and publicity photographs on feature films. His last interesting project was shooting Stills and the poster for Universal Pictures on News of The World starring Tom Hanks, directed by Paul Greengrass.
Replica Rolex Cars Watchspotting Pebble-beach Bruce-talamon BRM Timepiece Is Love Letter To Motor Oil 3502