A well-oiled machine

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A well-oiled machine - Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille
2 minutes read
The third Concours d’Elégance de Chantilly, sponsored by Richard Mille, took place last weekend. The event has become an annual highlight of the watchmaker’s year, and this year’s spectacle confirmed its growing international scope.

“At Pebble Beach we have nature, but in Chantilly you have this exceptional setting and luxury à la française.” The compliment could have gone unnoticed, were it not for the fact that its author was a person of some consequence: Sandra Button is chair of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance, the “other” major event of this type in the world.

And that gives some idea of the international reach of the Concours de Chantilly. Now in just its third year, it already attracts the world’s top collectors. For the time being, these two major events – plus the Villa d’Este Concours – are alone in celebrating the glories of lost era of splendour and refinement. Time (and resources) will perhaps change this eventually, but as things stand, the events are growing at a rate matched only by each other.

Objective: 50% more visitors
In Chantilly, the only thing that could have improved the view of the elegant formal gardens was the sun. Despite the overcast weather, saloons and coupés wove between top models and members of the Garde Républicaine as they paraded around the fountain of the Château, to the delight of the 13,500 visitors. Attendance was roughly comparable with last year’s event, something of a disappointment for organisers Peter & Associates, who had to contend with suboptimal weather as well as a tense security situation.

Nevertheless, Patrick Peter was clear about where he wants to go: “We need to grow visitor numbers to 20 to 25,000 spectators in the coming years. The Le Mans Classic took a few years to reach that level, so I’m confident about the future of the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille,” he said.

Extreme temptation
This year’s Concours d’Elégance, however, eclipsed all previous editions in terms of eye candy. Drivers and visitors promenaded in their Sunday best from a bygone age, while catwalk models displayed the latest in contemporary couture. Vintage motors from the 1920s coughed and spluttered alongside stealthy electric supercars. And the splendid pocket watches of yesteryear cast a grandfatherly eye over Richard Mille’s sleek horological marvels. Thankfully, the 7,830-hectare estate was commodious enough to ensure that the beautiful people didn’t rub shoulders any more than was strictly necessary.

Richard Mille Chantilly 2016

Richard Mille, true to form, remained a discreet presence throughout the event. Last year he appeared behind the wheel of one of his own racing cars. This year he was spotted with actor John Malkovich, who is now a Richard Mille ambassador. Malkovich, a committed francophile, submitted good-naturedly to photo opportunities and prize-giving ceremonies, while trying unsuccessfully to maintain a low profile.

Other celebrities present included Jean Todt, a long-time friend of the Mille stable, who made an impression in the equestrian zone. He was honoured for his 50-year career in motor sports. Todt’s own cars, from the time when he was a rally co-driver, were also in the parade. Politicians kept a low profile, unlike in 2015, when the Concours d’Elégance could at times have been mistaken for a Concours d’Eloquence. As the 2016 Concours drew to a successful conclusion, all that remained was to save the date for next year: the second weekend of September, 2017!

Click on the image at the top of the article to access the photo gallery.

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