Forums Latest Members

The mystery of the Ferrari Heuer Kentucky

  1. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Dec 8, 2014

    Posts
    7,121
    Likes
    15,031
    A couple of years ago this watch was offered for sale from Argentina, with the claim that it belonged to a retired Formula 1 driver.
    $_57 (1).JPG $_57.JPG
    The watch was discussed over at OTD and the reasonable conclusion was that it was unlikely to be a genuine Ferrari-issued watch, due to the somewhat "agricultural' way that the Ferrari logo was engraved.

    But now 3 years later the watch is offered for sale again, and this time we have a drivers name- Jose V. Bianchi, who bought the watch in 1979 and has his name on the original Heuer guarantee card. This seller doesn't claim a Formula 1 connection.

    Bianchi (no relation to Jules), runs a driving school in Buenos Aires. His website says that he moved to England in 1979 (the same year the watch was purchased) where he attended the famous Jim Russell Driving School and then raced in Formula Ford. While he raced in a variety of categories over the years, including F2, there is no mention of him driving in Formula 1..or for Ferrari. Having said that, it's a very brief bio, so it certainly doesn't rule out a connection with Ferrari.

    But why and when the Ferrari logo was added is still a mystery, although it does appear as though the watch did once belong to Bianchi. You can check out the watch in the auctions board here.
     
    Edited Dec 8, 2014
  2. imagwai

    imagwai Dec 9, 2014

    Posts
    5,847
    Likes
    6,989
    Can't someone contact him via his driving school to verify the details? :)
     
  3. Calibre11

    Calibre11 Editor of Calibre11.com Staff Member Dec 9, 2014

    Posts
    7,121
    Likes
    15,031
    Yes, I thought about that, but my Spanish is a little...um, rusty! If anyone fancies a try, the phone number is +54 11 4785-2699
    http://www.jbianchirac.com.ar/trayectoria.html
     
  4. imagwai

    imagwai Dec 9, 2014

    Posts
    5,847
    Likes
    6,989
    This should be all you need :) "Buenos dias Senor Bianchi. Habla usted Inglés?"