Each June, the rolling hills of Emilia-Romagna echo with the sounds of history as the Vernasca Silver Flag brings together the world’s most evocative classic cars for a celebration that is as much about passion as it is about preservation. For 2025, the event returned for its 29th edition from 13–15 June, reaffirming its place as a highlight of the international automotive calendar—and, fittingly, once again under the precise stewardship of Eberhard & Co. as Main Sponsor and Official Timekeeper.
The Storied Past of the Vernasca Silver Flag
The Vernasca Silver Flag is no ordinary concours. Its origins trace back to the legendary Castell’Arquato–Vernasca hillclimb, first run in 1953 and organised by the Automobile Club of Piacenza (CPAE). What began as a modest provincial competition swiftly grew into a fixture of the Italian Hillclimb Championship, attracting illustrious manufacturers such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Porsche, and drivers of international renown. The original 8.9 km course, with its fast straights and 34 tight hairpins, became a proving ground for both man and machine until the final competitive edition in 1972.
Revived in 1994 as a dynamic concours, the modern Vernasca Silver Flag is a celebration of movement, heritage, and camaraderie. The route, unchanged and as picturesque as ever, winds through the Val d’Arda, offering a stage for rare and beautifully restored cars from the 1920s to the 1970s to be admired in action, not just on static display. Each year, a new theme highlights a chapter of motorsport history; for 2025, the focus is on the extraordinary achievements of Italian teams in 1975, when Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and Fiat all claimed world titles, cementing Italy’s dominance in motorsport.
Eberhard & Co.: Timing the Legends
No event that celebrates the golden age of racing would be complete without a nod to the art of timekeeping. Eberhard & Co., founded in 1887 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, has long been synonymous with chronographic excellence and the spirit of competition. Their connection with the Vernasca Silver Flag runs deep: for years, Eberhard has served as Main Sponsor and Official Timekeeper, its presence woven into the very fabric of the event.
Eberhard’s role goes beyond mere sponsorship. The brand’s timepieces are awarded to the winners of the prestigious “Best of Show” categories, and its ambassadors, such as renowned collector Corrado Lopresto, bring historically significant vehicles to the parade, further cementing the maison’s commitment to motorsport heritage. This year, Lopresto piloted the 1948 Cisitalia D48, a car once raced by Tazio Nuvolari himself, whose legend lives on through Eberhard’s most iconic watch collection.
The Tazio Nuvolari Chronograph: Racing Spirit on the Wrist
Few names evoke the romance of motorsport like Tazio Nuvolari. Revered as one of the greatest drivers of all time, Nuvolari’s exploits on the track are the stuff of legend. Eberhard & Co.’s Tazio Nuvolari collection pays homage to this icon, blending vintage racing aesthetics with modern Swiss watchmaking.
More than a tribute, the Eberhard Tazio Nuvolari chronograph is a tool built for enthusiasts. Its design cues are drawn from the dashboards of classic racing cars: a perlage-finished caseback, luminescent numerals and hands for optimal legibility, and a tachymeter scale for measuring speed. The signature “turtle” motif, inspired by the good luck charm gifted to Nuvolari by Gabriele D’Annunzio, is a subtle yet powerful reminder of the driver’s enduring legacy. The movement is robust and precise, with chronograph functions capable of timing to 1/5th of a second and measuring intervals up to 12 hours, all encased in steel and water-resistant to 50 metres.
The Unbreakable Bond: Cars, Watches, and the Pursuit of Excellence
As the engines roar to life on the hills between Castell’Arquato and Vernasca, and the hands of Eberhard chronographs sweep across their dials, one thing becomes clear: the worlds of classic cars and mechanical watches are inextricably linked by a shared devotion to precision, beauty, and history.
Both disciplines demand an appreciation for engineering, a respect for tradition, and a relentless pursuit of perfection. Whether on the wrist or on the road, they represent the ultimate expression of passion—timeless, enduring, and forever moving forward.
The Vernasca Silver Flag 2025, with Eberhard & Co. at its side, is more than an event; it is a living testament to the symbiosis between horology and motorsport. Here, the past is not merely remembered—it is relived, celebrated, and measured in moments as unforgettable as the legends who inspire them. For aficionados of racing and sports watches alike, this is where the heart of the passion beats strongest—and where time, once again, becomes the ultimate prize.