Thank you very much. It is a very good looking watch, in addition to the historical significance. George
The engraving only says that Fangio gave this Watch to his mechanic "Juango" Justo Perez in august 1958. I would like to know more about Fangio/Fidel story and this particular Watch.
Just a non-Ferrari related bump on this thread I've just seen the 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atalante #57-523 which Gooding and Co are selling. I often get confused with Bugatti values, but isn't this a $30 million car?
The kidnappers/Fidel gave it to Fangio who later gave it to his mechanic "Juango". The watch dealer was based in Havana at the time. "During Havana’s golden age, Cuervo y Sobrinos became known worldwide, distributing the finest watches and clocks. Prominent figures of the day, enjoying the adventure and tropical elegance of Havana, became regular visitors to the boutique that was established on Havana’s Fifth Avenue in 1882. This family business flourished under successive generations of Cuervo family watchmakers. The Cuervo family fled Havana during the revolution, abandoning the store and the brand. The “rebirth” of Cuervo y Sobrinos watches began in the late 1990’s to restore the brand to its former position." http://www.britishpathe.com/video/disaster-at-cuban-grand-prix-after-fangio-kidnappi/query/Havana
I think you're confusing Atalante with Atlantic. Both are Type 57 but you can google them to see the difference. Atalante's are still very rare and beautiful, here's one at last year's Techno Classica. It was a bit unfortunate that the 57 shared a stand with a Veyron (not shown) which drew most of the attention especially from the younger folks. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Sorry; haven't been keeping up. Peter Helm had 0380 with smoke pouring out of one exhaust. He had Sal DiNatale install a Chevy, and I bought the engine and sold it to Weiss, who installed it the Kimberly car. To sidetrack the thread further, has 0380 ever surfaced? Roger W., who ended up with it, claimed it was destroyed, but I find that hard to believe. I used to write to him regularly, as he didn't like to be bothered about the car.
The Type 57 Atalante and Type 57S Atalante were similar cars with a closely related "look" but were actually totally different chassis types. The Type 57S and its supercharged twin Type 57SC were based on the much lower S chassis and it featured an upswung rear. The cost of building the S chassis and the lack of sales success compared to the standard Type 57 and its supercharged twin Type 57C meant that Type 57S/57SC production was cancelled in 1937 and any outstanding orders were supplied with Type 57/57C. As an aside the Type 57S/57SC is supposed to be hot and slightly cramped for the driver/ passenger. Lastly the rarity and beauty of the 57S ensures that they are worth some 5 times the standard 57.