Techno Classica Essen March 26 - 30 2008.

VIP, Preview day March 26.

20th TECHNO-CLASSICA ESSEN from 26 to 30 March 2008:
The Classic Fair of the Superlatives

The Classic World Fair with the Special Tick

Clocks and vehicles have a special relationship to each other - and both are mechanical masterpieces. This is why next the automotive classics, also noble pieces of skilled watch makers are presented at the TECHNO-CLASSICA since five years. The manufacturers Chopard und Sinn, together with "EUROTIME", the international exchange of clocks and watches make the classic world fair the exquisite sales fair for sophisticated chronometers.

Mechanical watches and vintage cars have one thing in common: both are not nec-essarily required for normal life in the digital, high-technology era - however they are essential for complete enjoyment in the life of a classic enthusiast. It is pure passion about the mechanics which also fascinates friends of classic things. Even Karl Benz who invented of the automobile was fascinated by the mystic ticking inside the clock as a child already - and soon he was so skilled in disassembling and assembling of the parts that he was able to earn his first pocket money and later also money for the academic studies by repairing clocks.

Soon after the invention of the automobile it became important to measure the speed of the new means of transportation. The first chronometers for installation in the dash panel already appeared around 1910. The exact compliance with close time require-ments was an important criterion for winning a rally already at that time and even on transfer stages. Thus, clearly readable and precisely stoppable second hands were required. There has been no change until today: good watches belong to the on-board equipment when participating in a vintage car rally - renowned watch makers have recognised this fact and manufacture discerning chronometers for classic en-thusiasts. Those who are particular about watches do not use digital clocks but tick-ing mechanical watches with real hands.

Chopard belongs to the manufacturers producing such clocks - and traditionally is represented at the TECHNO-CLASSICA. A novelty of Chopard in the Chronograph category is for example the L.U.C. CHRONO ONE of white gold, limited to 100 ex-emplars. The Swiss clock maker does not only manufacture wristwatches, but also instruments which could be helpful for drivers of vintage cars to win constancy con-tests.

On-board navigations clocks belong to the profession of Sinn since the establishment of the company in 1961. They were the inspiration for the design of the wristwatches for the special clock manufacturer from Frankfurt. Reliability, functionality and clear-ness of display in all lighting conditions is particularly essential for them as necessary factors for rallies. Sinn is celebrating a premiere at the TECHNO-CLASSICA: the presentation of a rally set with stopwatch function for the motor sports enthusiast, which also aesthetically fits into the world of historic automobiles. Sinn will disclose the details not until the TECHNO-CLASSICA - and we are curious about it.

The Eurotime is a discriminating clock trade fair, having its fifth special guest per-formance at the TECHNO-CLASSICA and itself is a small fair inside the fair for pri-vate fanciers and collectors of watches. 15 exhibitors show their precious chronome-ters, among them also private collectors. You can find collector's items which can be found almost nowhere else: the "Rolex Daytona Paul Newman" with manual wind-up for instance, a Heuer Carrera "Steve McQueen", with the design created in honour of the Carrera Panamerica Mexico, but also early radiator clocks from the nineteen-twenties. A special highlight at the Eurotime will be a "Andy-Warhol Times/5": a watch band with five quartz movements, showing motifs of a photo series of the Manhattan skyline, taken by Warhol himself. Warhol, the passionate collector of watches initi-ated in 1988 the Movado art collection with this clock. Only 250 examples of the Times/5 were manufactures - today most of them are in museums all over the world.

Those who are not satisfied with the ordinary time check from the mobile phone are at the right place at the TECHNO-CLASSICA - the hearts of the enthusiasts will beat in time with the precious watches exhibited in halls 1 and 3.