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Le Mans 71 Gulf

Gulf, a legend

The legend of Gulf cars is steeped in charm and history. This famous racing livery, characterized by light blue and orange colours, has made some of the most renowned cars in the motoring world famous.

The Gulf logo is an icon that represents a combination of history, speed and passion for motor racing. it is a symbol that has left an indelible mark on the world of racing cars. This brand is associated with the famous blue and orange livery that has made some of the most iconic cars in the world famous.

The Gulf-liveried Porsche 917 was one of the most powerful and fastest cars of its time. It won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice (in 1970 and 1971) and helped consolidate the reputation of the Gulf brand in the world of racing.

The Gulf graphics, with their timeless colors, evoke the golden age of sports prototypes and continue to inspire motoring enthusiasts.

Watch Technical Data

BASE
Rolex Daytona 116520
DIAMETER
39 mm
GLASS
Superdome domed sapphire glass;
DIAL
A silver plate with polychrome enamel in the colors of the Gulf livery of the Porsche 917 and Daytona Paul Newman graphics
HANDS
Solid Stainless Steel
BEZEL
Shaped with rounded profile and Angelite stone insert
CASE
remodeled using a sander
MATERIALS
Solid Stainless Steel
BRACELET
solid stainless steel – The links were modeled to visually recreate the articulation typical of the Rolex 7206 and Rolex 6636
SEALING
200m waterproof
MOVEMENT
Rolex caliber 4130
BACK
solid gold customized for the customer

Bracelet manufacturing

The workmanship of the bracelet is characterized by particular elements that we find on that of the Daytona 6240 Paul Newman; the 20 mm lug differs from the latter, compared to that of the Rolex 7205 which is 19 mm, as is the case attachment of the new Rolex Daytona reference 116520 taken to create the Le Mans 71 Gulf.

Le Mans Gulf 71 Bracciale

Starting from the clasp, this is reworked, eliminating the kinematics, maintaining the long tail of the same to which the big crown is applied. A system is used where there are no welds in the visible upper part.

All the links are reworked by bringing them in steps exactly as in the Rolex 7205/7206 and the plates with the rivets are added without neglecting the ends which are also hollowed out on the visible part to take up the previous slots to release the bracelet, they would no longer be used having the case and the side holes.

Le Mans Gulf 71 clasp

Case and Case back processing

The case of the Rolex 116520 is completely reworked by eliminating the crown protection shoulders, tightening the lugs on the left, asymmetrical in this reference, then drilling the case holes and, to complete, the classic circular satin finish on the lugs in a wonderful and new, more delicate 39 mm and harmonious, a path towards perfection that sees a case of the Rolex 6240 remodeled as if from a piece of marble called 116520.
Le Mans Gulf 71 particolare cassa
Le Mans Gulf 71 fondello

The caseback is reduced in thickness from the outside, bringing it to 0.8mm compared to the measurement of 1mm, this to uniform the satin finish exactly as in the caseback of the Rolex 6240; subsequently a laser engraving removes the excess metal in negative, bringing to light what was already written in this wonderful creation.

"Superdome" glass

Le-Mans-Gulf-71-vetro

The glass deliberately reproduces the curves of the first lens glasses of vintage Daytonas but this time in very robust sapphire with a hardness level of 9, a titanic undertaking at the time
made only by Matt Spirit.

Bezel

As in 1971, the blue bezel in a “modern Bakelite” reports the maximum speed achieved by the Porsche 917, a steel ring contains this masterpiece of technique and craftsmanship.

Pushers

Le Mans Gulf 71 pulsanti

In 1971 Rolex fitted the MK1 thousand-line buttons, mounted for the first time on the reference 6263 in 1969, Matt Spirit created the same wonderful and sinuous chronometer starting and resetting systems for the Gulf.

The dial, the protagonist of this timepiece

The protagonist of this unique and marvelous timepiece, a silver plate 0.6mm thick, with a 0.45mm relief on the edge, collects marvelous polychrome enamels of the colors that we find in the splendid Gulf livery of the Porsche 917, Paul Newman Daytona graphics reference 6240 of 1971 complete this small author’s picture.

Le Mans Gulf 71

An exclusive design that makes this watch unique and unrepeatable that only 71 lucky people in the world will be able to show off on their wrist.

The Garage

A set of 122 parts individually designed to create a true work of art cannot be called a box, and to complete it all a counter box branded by hand by a master painter.

Le Mans Gulf 71 Custodia

Personalize your luxury watch

Contact us for more information or for quotes

Matt Spirit is an independent studio that does not produce watches, but offers a luxury watch customization service that is strongly inspired by the past. Under the request of our customers and according to our abilities and possibilities, we create, strictly on original bases, the “alter ego” in a modern key.

Was born from the desire to fulfill a dream, a project studied over the years aimed at combining the passion for luxury watches and designer collecting.

We are not affiliated with or authorized by the manufacturers of the watches we customize and process and it is not our intent to exploit any trademarks.