The sixth edition of the HERO Cup got under way last month with Zenith as the timekeeper for the seven vintage car races which go to make up the coveted trophy from the UK-based Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (HERO).

Held from February 21 to 25, the Winter Challenge to Monaco was the first of the seven races and saw contestants take on the challenge of driving across the worst roads in Europe in the thick of mid-winter, and the satisfaction of descending from Alpine snow and fog to the sunshine of the Mediterranean.

The next event will be the Scottish Malts in Scotland (April 24 to 29), followed by the Summer Trial in England (June 17 to 19) the Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial from Edinburgh to London (July 11 to 16), the HERO Challenge at an airfield in Worcestershire (September 24), the RAC Rally of the Tests from Bournemouth to Chester (November 3 to 6) and culminating in Le Jog, one of the most iconic long distance rides in the world from Lands End in West Cornwall to John O'Groats in Scotland (December 3 to 6).

The driver who secures the most number of points across these events will be awarded the HERO Cup.

Classic car rallying is all about skill, reliability, stamina and perfect timing and this is why the celebrated Swiss watch manufacture teamed with HERO, one of the most successful and respected historic endurance rallying organisations in the world, as official timekeeper of the cup. 

To commemorate this partnership Zenith has unveiled a very special watch - the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 HERO Cup – which will be limited to just 100 pieces.

HERO pioneered the concept of long-distance rallies created specifically for cars from a bygone era, and its events are now regarded as being among the most difficult and rewarding challenges in the historic motoring calendar. 

Indeed, the celebrated Le Jog – a gruelling winter drive from Land’s End to John O’Groats for pre-1986 cars – has been described as the toughest classic car event in Europe, if not the world. The Winter Challenge to Monte-Carlo tackles some of Europe’s trickiest snow-covered roads, whilst the HERO Challenge takes the form of a one-day series of special tests and timed trials.

There are also more gentle events, such as the Scottish Malts in which competitors must complete a series of driving tests and maintain a strict time schedule on a route linked by famous whisky distilleries, whilst the Royal Automobile Club 1,000 Mile Trial caters exclusively for pre-war cars. 

The Summer Trial is aimed at those new to the sport of regularity rallying and at the other end of the scale, while the famous RAC Rally of the Tests returns to the calendar this year.

The winner of the HERO Cup will also receive an El Primero Chronomaster Open from the limited edition of 100 units.

Powered by the El Primero movement, the El Primero Chronomaster 1969 HERO Cup edition incorporates the HERO logo into the 12-hour counter at six o’clock and is supplied on a leather strap with special red stitching.

The back of the 42-mm diameter watch, meanwhile, has a sapphire crystal centre which enables the highly finished, chronometer-certified movement to be clearly seen.

The limited edition, which celebrates the passion, precision and endurance of this partnership - is priced at around $10,000.