Ferrari History
Keeping Time with Rolex
...Rolex Super Coolness...
Enzo Ferrari
Rolex Chronograph Reference 3055
1952 Indianapolis 500
[Ferrari's First U.S.A. Race]
The photo below was taken of Enzo Ferrari and his top driver Alberto Ascari in Maranello, Italy as they prepare for the Indianapolis 500 car race that would soon take place in the United States.
Enzo Ferrari is pictured on the far right side, sporting his trademark Rolex Chronograph Reference 3055. Enzo is standing next to world champion, Alberto Ascari (center) and the man on the far left is Ing Daccò (tallest).
It is fascinating to take into consideration the in-depth contextual meaning behind these photos, in the sense, that when they were taken, Enzo Ferrari, with his number 1 driver, Alberto Ascari, were making Formula 1 history, and putting Ferrari on the map for the first time.
In the photo above and in the photo below, we see Alberto Ascari and the Ferrari N.A.R.T. (North American Racing Team) at the 1952 Indianapolis 500 race. The 1952 N.A.R.T. team was owned by Luigi Chinetti, who was the official distributor of Ferrari U.S.A.
It is interesting to note the Ferrari badge appears in both photos, but without the prancing "Ferrari" Horse. This is due to the fact Enzo Ferrari his first participation in the Indianapolis to be unofficial. After Enzo got underway, he changed his mind and decided to add the prancing horse.
Alberto Ascari experienced mechanical challenges during the 1952 Indianapolis 500 and was not able to continue past his 13th lap. The 1952 Indianapolis 500 represented the first time Ferrari raced in the U.S.A, and even though they did not complete the race, it marked a significant milestone in Ferrari history.
In the photo below we see Alberto Ascari racing in a Ferrari F2 in the Belgian Grand Prix
In the photo below we see Alberto Ascari racing in a Ferrari F2 in the British Grand Prix
Enzo Ferrari's Rolex Chronograph (Reference 3055) was the smallest chronograph ever made, at an astounding 30mm diameter.
The next two photos below are of the same model Rolex Chronograph Enzo Ferrari's is wearing. Today Enzo's son, Piero Ferrari owns his grandfather's Rolex Chronograph, Reference 3055.
The Chairman of Ferrari wearing a Rolex is still standard today, as current Ferrari Chariman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has worn a Rolex his whole career.
I would like to thank my pal, John Goldberger for sending in these amazing photos. John Goldberger is the author of 100 Superlative Rolex Watches and he also publishes a Vintage Rolex Application for the iPad which showcases high-defenition photos of beautiful Rolex watches.
1940 Italian Rolex Chronograph Catalog Page
[Reference 3055]
John Goldberger also sent in this vintage Rolex catalog page for the Rolex 3055 Chronograph which appeared in an Italian magazine in 1940. Pretty cool!!!
One of the interesting take-away points is that in 1940, during World War II, Rolex pocket watches were still very popular, as we see in the Rolex catalog below. Rolex began selling the Reference 3055 Chronograph in 1940 and offered the model for sale until 1960.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is pictured below in the early 1970s sporting his trademark Rolex GMT Master.
Earlier in his career, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was the director of racing for Ferrari, and you see him in the photo (three photos up the page) with Enzo Ferrari and Niki Lauda. Nicki Lauda was Ferrari's lead driver, and we see him in the photo below as he practices at the Nurburgring race track during the 1976 Grand Prix.
We see Niki Lauda in a more recent photo below, sporting his trademark vintage Rolex Daytona.
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