There are signs when you’re getting close to the Circuit des 24h du Mans. After six hours of cruise-controlled highway driving, the first thing that caught my eye was the Goodyear blimp in the sky. Then came the three helicopters. That’s when I knew I was close. Finally, over the crest, I saw the grandstands and realized this was going to be an unforgettable experience. I couldn't yet hear the cars. The circuit was calm. But that was about to change quickly.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans
Since its debut in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has become one of the most iconic races in the world, alongside the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500. What makes Le Mans unique is the relentless challenge for both cars and drivers, who must remain mentally and physically sharp for a full 24 hours.
The rules are simple. Sixty-two cars of different categories — GT3, LMP2, and Hypercars — race from Saturday afternoon throughout the night and into Sunday. Drivers alternate stints, with each one required to meet a minimum drive time.
Inside the CLX Motorsport Garage
As I met up with the Lorige team, we headed to their sponsored team’s garage, CLX Motorsport. This Swiss team, based in Annecy, France, operates one LMP2 prototype during the 24-hour race. Of all three categories, these cars sound the best. They are raw and aggressive, with loud pops when lifting off the throttle that sound like pure motorsport music. The CLX Pure Rxcing Oreca is a stunning machine, featuring a matte black carbon finish with bold blue accents. Thanks to Lorige, we were able to get up close with the car, as well as others in the paddock. Seeing one of these machines in such detail was a privilege. You get a real sense for the uncompromising nature of motorsport, where every component is designed to perform under extreme conditions. At CLX Motorsport, the garage was pristine. Everything was in its place, just like a watchmaker’s bench. The level of care and precision was unmistakable.
Later, to my surprise, the track was open and I was able to walk it, along with hundreds of others. People were creative with their transportation — skateboards, bikes, scooters, and even a unicycle. The edges of the track were filled with small treasures. I even managed to find a few pieces of carbon fiber to keep as souvenirs.
A Founder’s Passion for Precision
As Clément Etienvre, co-founder of Lorige, showed me around the paddock, it became clear that he was exactly where he was meant to be. A former race car engineer, Clément walked me through every detail of the cars. Every question I had was met with a thoughtful answer. This is more than a career for him. It is a way of life. Passion was present in every part of the experience, and it defined what I now think of as the Lorige way.
That evening, we gathered with members of the Lorige family. Team members, clients, and close friends of the brand all came together. What struck me most was how deeply these people live and breathe motorsport. They knew everything — from technical specifications to sponsor histories and the business side of racing. We spent four hours around the barbecue, and I began to truly understand what a small, specialized brand like Lorige can bring to the table.
The Watch That Tells a Racing Story
Let’s talk watches. The piece I spent the most time with during the weekend was the Lorige AS-01. This watch is truly unique. It is crafted from the brake pads of Ayrton Senna’s 1993 MP4/8 and features an in-house tourbillon with striking yellow accents developed in partnership with Dominique Renaud and Pierre Favre.
What I admire most about Lorige is how they incorporate real elements of motorsport into their watches. This goes far beyond just motorsport-inspired design. Lorige has changed the game by making watch cases from actual carbon brake pads used in racing. These pads face extreme heat, reaching up to 900°C during a race. That heat burns off the resin binder and leaves the carbon porous, making it incredibly difficult to use in a watch case.
To overcome this, Lorige developed a special ultra-fluid resin injection process originally used in wind turbine blades. This resin seeps into the tiniest pores of the material. It is injected twice, once after the initial machining and again after the case is refined. This double process gives the case structural strength and water resistance, all while preserving the authentic racing DNA inside the material.
Clément explained that some drivers even use their own brake pads to create a custom timepiece. The race, the car, and the driver’s story are engraved on the case. I was amazed. It’s one of those rare ideas that seems so obvious in hindsight that you wonder why no one did it sooner. Like the motorcar or the iPhone, it is so simple that it becomes genius.
Race Day
To truly experience Le Mans, you need to start early. On Saturday morning, the track opens and fans rush in fast. I began my day at the Le Mans Spirit Club, where I warmed up on their beautiful simulators and cooled down with a few drinks. It is a fantastic place to experience the race, with lounges and a terrace overlooking pit entry and the Ford chicanes. For the race start however, I wanted something even more raw.
It took me about an hour to find a good viewing spot, moving through waves of people. Even more fans were arriving by the minute. Clément told me the centenary edition of the race was even more packed, which I found hard to believe. Eventually, I found a spot on a rock near the Dunlop Curve that gave me a great view.
The opening ceremony was majestic. Roger Federer gave the command to start the engines. Fighter jets flew overhead, and a military helicopter hovered for effect. But the real moment came when the 62 cars launched into Turn 1. I had waited three hours to hold my position, and it was worth every second. It felt like a scene straight out of Ford vs Ferrari.
The Night
Nightfall was, without a doubt, my favorite part. As the sun went down, the crowds grew quieter, and time began to feel suspended. The cars moved with hypnotic rhythm, following perfect racing lines. The sound was strangely calming, and the scene was unforgettable. Thanks to Lorige, we had the opportunity to visit ‘Les Hunaudières’ and the Indianapolis corner. Watching the cars accelerate out of the bend there was jaw-dropping. No video or photo can capture it. To top it off, we visited the Aston Martin garage and witnessed not one but two pit stops, including one involving my favorite car on track, the Valkyrie.
The Unsung Heroes of Endurance Racing
One of the things that made me fall in love with Le Mans at night was walking through the garages and watching the teams at work. We often focus on the drivers and the energy of the crowds, but the real heroes are often the crew members working behind the scenes. These men and women keep everything running through the night. At three in the morning, they are performing lightning-fast pit stops, completely focused, despite exhaustion and lack of sleep. Watching them in action was a powerful reminder of the resilience and precision that motorsport demands. In those quiet, relentless hours, the true heart of endurance racing is revealed.
The Lorige Way
Although the weekend was centered around motorsport, it also opened my eyes to the shared passion and synergy between racing and watchmaking. Lorige’s approach, built on personal involvement, technical depth, and genuine care, was unlike anything I had experienced before. I didn’t feel like an outsider or a guest. I felt like part of the team.
Lorige is not a brand that simply adds a logo to a car. Their involvement with CLX Motorsport showed just how committed Clément is, both technically and personally. It was a clear expression of authentic brand passion. When a brand has this level of dedication, a meaningful philosophy, and a compelling product — something as personal and symbolic as a wearable trophy — it stands out in today’s competitive market.
As someone who competes in sim racing, I couldn’t help but wonder what part of my own simulator setup could be turned into a watch. Thinking the Lorige way, it feels like anything is possible.
