Classic car lovers have gathered at this picturesque spot on the Californian coast for more than 70 years

For more than 70 years car lovers have gathered on the Monterey coast in California to celebrate some of the finest automobiles ever made.

In a series of event staged over a memorable week, attendees enjoy classic cars, motorsports heritage, a grand parade and coming innovations in motoring technology.

This year’s event was no exception. Supported by Rolex for over 25 years – since it first partnered with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1997 – this year’s gathering again saw the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance.

‘The great thing about Monterey Car Week is that it offers everything you could ever want, including the fabulous events at Pebble Beach, The Quail and of course the four days of historic racing at Laguna Seca,’ said Rolex Testimonee and 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion Jenson Button, who is a regular attendee of the event.

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‘It’s rare that you can be in one place for a week and do something completely different each day, which is what I love about these events. We are also in a wonderful part of the world – California really embraces car culture.’

One of the annual highlights is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance held on the greens of the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links. The event allows the knowledgeable crowd to appreciate new categories and celebrate exceptional cars.

The highlight of this year’s Concours d’Elegance was the surprise unveiling of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s special collection of 10 Royal Land Rover Classic vehicles, marking the first time they have been showcased outside the United Kingdom.

As ever the event culminates with the awarding of one of the automotive world’s highest accolades, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show.

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This year’s prestigious recipient was the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports – the first preservation car in the event’s history to win Best of Show. In recognition of the classic car’s significance, owner Fritz Burkard was awarded a specially engraved Rolex Perpetual 1908.

‘What is most beautiful about this moment is that, for first time, someone from Switzerland has won the Concours and to win a Swiss watch makes it extra special – the Rolex 1908 is exquisite,’ said Burkard.

Meanwhile, this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion marked 50 years by paying homage to the racing marques that have graced its history for five decades - from saloon cars to Formula 1® powerhouses from yesteryear - rumbling around the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and its famous Corkscrew turn. Button took to the track to compete in his striking 1952 Jaguar C-Type in the Briggs S.

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On the Friday of the celebratory week, 5000 fans turned up at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club to honour automotive history and the future of design.

A perfectly preserved 1937 Delahaye Type 145, 12-Cylinder Competition was honoured as the Rolex Best of Show winner and welcomed into the 2024 Rolex Circle of Champions, alongside coveted supercars and remarkable machines. Rolex presented the owners of the 1937 Delahaye, Sam and Emily Mann, with a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Datejust.

The day before a convoy of historic vehicles rumbled along the Pacific Coast passing Big Sur and Bixby Bridge on Highway 1 for the annual Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, which has been presented by Rolex since 2007.

And so ended another edition of one of the most enduring and popular classic car meetings in the world – as planning immediately started on next year’s event.