Classic car rallying is all about skill, reliability, stamina and - most importantly - perfect timing. Which is why the celebrated Swiss Watch Manufacture Zenith has teamed with the UK-based Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (better known as HERO) as official timekeeper of the HERO Cup. Zenith, which was founded in 1865, is proud to have established a partnership with HERO, which was set-up in 1993 and has since become one of the most successful and respected historic endurance rallying organizations in the world. Today Zenith has a long-standing involvement with the world of classic cars that is the DNA of the Manufacture.

HERO pioneered the concept of long-distance rallies created specifically for cars from a bygone era, and its events are now regarded as being among the most difficult and rewarding challenges in the historic motoring calendar. Indeed, its celebrated ‘Le Jog’ (a grueling winter drive from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in Scotland for pre-1986 cars) has been described as the toughest classic car event in Europe, if not the world. HERO’s Winter Challenge to Monte-Carlo, meanwhile, tackles some of Europe’s trickiest snow-covered roads, whilst the HERO Challenge takes the form of a one-day series of special tests and timed trials.

There are also more gentle events, such as the ever- popular Scottish Malts in which competitors must complete a series of driving tests and maintain a strict time schedule on a route linked by famous whisky distilleries, whilst the Royal Automobile Club 1,000 Mile Trial caters exclusively for pre-war cars. The Summer Trial is aimed at those new to the sport of regularity rallying and at the other end of the scale, the famous RAC Rally of the Tests returns to the motoring calendar in 2016.

Zenith will be the Official Timekeeper of the HERO Cup and the future winner of the HERO Cup will also receive a Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open from a limited edition of 100 units, being produced especially to mark the partnership between HERO and the celebrated Swiss watch brand.

Since its founding, HERO has organized more than 150 classic car events all over Europe. It is recognized by the Motor Sports Association (MSA), the UK’s governing body, and is also affiliated to the Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens (FIVA). Powered by the legendary beating heart of the El Primero movement, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 HERO Cup edition incorporates the HERO logo into the 12-hour counter at six o’clock and is supplied on a leather strap with special red stitching.

Aldo Magada Patrick Burke

The back of the 42mm diameter watch, meanwhile, has a sapphire crystal centre which enables the highly finished, chronometer-certified movement to be clearly seen.

Just 100 units of Zenith branded limited edition of the HERO Cup will be available to celebrate the passion, the precision and the endurance of this new exciting partnership.