DESDER founder Fabrizio Nardini experienced the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa for the first time last month, immersing himself in the world’s biggest GT race as inspiration for a future timepiece that will feature a dedicated 24-hour display.
Accompanied by business partner Claudio Ferrari, Nardini spent the weekend behind the scenes with GT World, taking in every aspect of the event, from the packed pre-race grid and dramatic start to the unique atmosphere that only a day-and-night endurance race can create.
The visit formed part of DESDER’s growing partnership with GT World, which began earlier this season at Monza and has already seen the Italian watchmaker launch its inaugural timepiece: the DESDER 001.
The 001 represents the first chapter in DESDER’s journey into motorsport-inspired watchmaking, combining unique Italian design with a philosophy rooted in precision, engineering and mechanical excellence. Featuring a triple axis tourbillon – practically unheard of in watchmaking – DESDER sets new standards in terms of technical complication.
For Nardini and Ferrari, the trip to Spa was about understanding not only the competition itself but also the rhythm of endurance racing. The changing light, the transition from afternoon into darkness and back to daylight, the constant movement in the pit lane and the relentless pressure on teams all provided inspiration for a complication that will eventually find its way into a future DESDER model.
The planned 24-hour indicator is intended to celebrate the unique nature of endurance racing, offering wearers a subtle reminder of the sport’s greatest challenge: maintaining speed, concentration and reliability over an entire day and night.
DESDER’s partnership with GT World reflects a shared appreciation for craftsmanship, precision and performance. The collaboration gives the Italian brand access to the people, places and experiences that inspire its collections, allowing future watches to draw directly from the world’s most prestigious GT racing events.
Having now experienced Spa first-hand, Nardini believes the race has fundamentally shaped the direction of the brand’s next chapter.
“It is almost impossible to describe the scale and emotion of the 24 Hours of Spa until you experience it for yourself,” said Fabrizio Nardini. “I’ve attended many motorsport events, but nothing prepared me for this. The atmosphere, the sound, the changing light through the night, the intensity in the pit lane and the sheer endurance shown by everyone involved are simply extraordinary.
“The DESDER 001 was inspired by our passion for motorsport, but this visit has given us something much deeper. We wanted to understand what a true 24-hour race feels like, and now we do. We come away full of ideas, particularly for a future watch featuring a dedicated 24-hour display that captures the spirit of endurance racing. We’re incredibly proud to be part of the GT World family, and the Spa weekend has exceeded every expectation.”
DESDER will next be present for the fifth round of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season at Misano from July 17-19.