The watch brand with a 98-year aviation heritage takes its presence to new heights in the latest evolution of a partnership with the official World Championship, and will introduce a special edition watch to commemorate the milestone.
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship has announced that its long-time partner Hamilton, a watch brand trusted by pilots for nearly a century, will be the Global Timekeeper. Hamilton will kick off the new role at a dazzling season opener in Abu Dhabi on 10-11 February – a celebratory event marking the diamond 75th Red Bull Air Race.
The watch brand known for combining American spirit and Swiss precision has been associated with the Red Bull Air Race since 2005, when Master Class pilot Nicolas Ivanoff of France initially took to the skies as a Hamilton ambassador. The expansion of Hamilton’s partnership with the official World Championship is a nod to the watchmaker’s rich history and heritage in aviation. Hamilton first began “timing the skies” in 1919, when the pioneering pilots of the era put their trust in the accuracy of its watches and navigation instruments.
To commemorate its latest aviation milestone, Hamilton will release a special edition watch in 2017, the Khaki Air Race. The new watch will offer the distinctive styling and features of Hamilton’s popular Khaki Aviation line in two unique versions – an Official Timekeeper design and a Team Hamilton-Ivanoff model. More details on the Khaki Air Race to be released.
“The Red Bull Air Race and Hamilton have been partners for more than a decade, and it seems fitting that our relationship will only deepen in 2017, the tenth season of the World Championship,” said Erich Wolf, the General Manager of Red Bull Air Race GmbH. “Our two brands share a passion for aviation and a dedication to the highest standards. We’re looking forward to an exciting year of racing.”
Sylvain Dolla, Hamilton’s CEO, commented, “Our brand has a prestigious history of serving the flying community, and this latest evolution in our partnership with the World Championship further strengthens our presence in aviation. Hamilton is taking aviation watches to new heights, and we’re proud to be the Official Timekeeper of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2017.
It’s time to get your seat: Tickets for the opening race of the 2017 Red Bull Air Race World Championship season in Abu Dhabi are on sale now. For all the latest news, visit www.redbullairrace.com
About Hamilton:
Hamilton was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Hamilton watches combine the American spirit with the unrivalled precision of the latest Swiss movements and technologies. Known for its innovative design, Hamilton has a strong foothold in Hollywood, with products appearing in more than 450 films. The brand also boasts a strong aviation heritage. Hamilton is a member of the Swatch group, the largest watch manufacturer and distributor in the world.
About Red Bull Air Race:
Created in 2003, the Red Bull Air Race World Championship will celebrate its landmark 75th race at the 2017 season opener in Abu Dhabi. The Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world’s best race pilots in a pure motorsport competition that combines speed, precision and skill. Using the fastest, most agile, lightweight racing planes, pilots hit speeds of 370kmh while enduring forces of up to 10G as they navigate a low-level slalom track marked by 25-meter-high, air-filled pylons. In 2014, the Challenger Cup was conceived to help the next generation of pilots develop the skills needed for potential advancement to the Master Class that vies for the World Championship.
