Rolex has its hands in many pies – from conservation to the arts, not to mention the numerous sports it supports. But perhaps its most enduring relationship is with endurance motorsport. It all began with legendary speedster Sir Malcolm Campbell, who wore Rolex Oyster watches during his record-breaking runs, including the moment he became the first person to surpass 300 mph in his car, Bluebird. Campbell effectively became Rolex’s first unofficial motorsport ambassador, and the brand’s association with the world of racing has since become deeply entrenched – not just as a sponsor, but as a symbol of performance under pressure.
Numerous road legends have joined the Rolex family of Testimonees, including three-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, Tom “Mr Le Mans” Kristensen, FIA World Endurance Champion Mark Webber, and 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion Jenson Button.
Rolex has also been a steadfast supporter of the races themselves. Since 2016, it has been the Official Timepiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and has served as official timekeeper of its most storied race – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – since 2001. Said Rolex Testimonee Jenson Button ahead of the 2024 event: “In motor sport, time is of the essence. Whether looking at lap times, counting down the hours or preparing for your next shift, you are always watching the clock. It makes complete sense that Rolex is deeply entwined with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race is very special to me as it’s so renowned and closely connected to Rolex.”
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Just as iconic is the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, of which Rolex has been Title Sponsor since 1992 and has partnered since the early 1960s. Like Le Mans, it’s a grueling 24-hour trial held annually at Daytona International Speedway®. At the 2025 edition, it was the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport, Porsche 963 team who took the win for the second consecutive year. Notably, Rolex Testimonee Jamie Chadwick served as the race’s Grand Marshal – the first woman and active driver in recent history to do so.
Both 24-hour events are so intertwined with Rolex that winning drivers in each class receive a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona – a prize arguably as coveted as the trophy itself.
There is a special honour that goes to those who win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours At DAYTONA, and the 12 Hours of Sebring. These podium heroes are recognised for their extraordinary grit and skill, having achieved the Triple Crown of Endurance Racing. Naturally, Rolex is the Official Timepiece of Sebring as well. Though it runs just half the time of its cousins, Sebring’s unforgiving surface and layout make it one of the toughest races in motorsport.
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But it’s not always just about high-octane drama. Rolex has its own storied history, rich with traditions and heritage, and this reverence for the past is just as evident in its support for events like the Goodwood Revival, where the glamour and spirit of racing classic cars from 1948 to 1966 lives on – complete with spectators in period-correct attire. The same goes for Monterey Car Week, a high point of the automotive calendar that celebrates rare and historic vehicles on California’s Monterey Peninsula. Here, Rolex is the Title Sponsor of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Official Timepiece and Presenting Partner of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, and the Official Timepiece of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.
More than just a partnership, Rolex’s championing of endurance motorsports reflects its own ethos of excellence, resilience, and the perpetual drive to be the best in its class.
CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF HISTORIC RACING AT THE 2024 ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION
HYPERCAR WINNERS OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
THE 2025 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA TROPHY AND THE ENGRAVED ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA PRESENTED TO THE WINNERS OF THE RACE
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