Revived in 1992 by Peter Auto, the 24th annual event will taken place between the 21st and 25th April 2015, supported by Zenith. This unmissable event in the classic car enthusiast's calendar, which brings together 225 vintage models, sets the watch brand on an adventurous course which reaffirms its values: pleasure, daring and authenticity.  

Precision, elegance, excellence…This is the very essence of Zenith and of the Tour Auto Optic 2ooo. In 2015, the brand become the watch partner of the oldest motor race still running today. In a prestigious yet friendly atmosphere, the event sees cars, including a model which raced the Tour Auto from 1951 to 1973 and teams from many countries, line up in Paris before completing a journey of 2000 kilometres along the roads of France to reach Biarritz.

Changed each year since its revival in 1992, the route of the next race, which takes place between the 21st and 25th April 2015, will mainly be focused on the Centre and West of the country. After being on display to the public in the majestic glass and steel showcase that is the Grand Palais - the home of the Paris Motor Show from 1901 to 1961, competitors will take their vehicles onto the roads of France to see how they measure up during time trials on the track and closed roads, before completing their trek to the Basque coast 4 days later, arriving in Biarritz. Large crowds are expected to gather to watch these exceptional vintage cars go past. 

Patrick Peter, organiser of the Tour Auto Optic 2ooo, is a happy man: "I am especially honoured today that a historic brand such as Zenith, famed for the precision of its chronometers and luxury watches, is joining us on the Tour Auto Optic 2ooo. It is a pleasure for us to be able to write history together." 

"By uniting these two worlds, we are creating links between high-end watchmaking and fine mechanical engineering, continued Aldo Magada, President and CEO of Zenith. We both share the same passion: overcoming challenges. Since it was founded, the brand has blazed a trail in hitherto unexplored domains. What is fascinating about Zenith is this ability to conceive new ideas, then - before anyone else in the world - to launch itself into new technical developments." 

Zenith watches have been a part of man's greatest adventures: Louis Blériot's channel crossing; the crossing of the North Pole, in a balloon and solo, by Frenchman Jean-Louis Étienne and Felix Baumgartner's free-fall skydive to break the sound barrier. They are now on the wrists of the drivers of these legendary motor cars, with a limited edition Zenith created exclusively for this Tour Auto Optic 2ooo. Details to follow…

TOUR AUTO OPTIC 2ooo

Schedule

• Monday 20th April 2015: Exhibited in Paris
• Tuesday 21st April 2015: Grand Départ from Paris
• Saturday 25th April 2015: Arrival in Biarritz