We Came. We Tried. We'll Try Again.
Omologato at Le Mans 2023: CENTENAIRE, Nielsen Racing, and a Hard-Learned Lesson
In 2023, Omologato took a bold step onto the world’s biggest endurance racing stage — the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We joined the LMP2 class as a sponsor of Nielsen Racing, and to mark the occasion, we launched the CENTENAIRE — a watch crafted to honour 100 years of Le Mans history. But what should have been a celebration of racing spirit became one of the toughest chapters we’ve ever written.
This wasn't an easy journey.
From the very beginning, it was clear that our presence wasn’t welcomed by everyone. The ACO, the organization that governs Le Mans, didn’t make life easy for us. Not because we broke rules, or failed to meet any standards — we didn’t even try to register our name officially. But the moment we appeared on the car, visible and proud, there was resistance. Whether it was our size, our independence, or our refusal to play the game the traditional way — they made it known: we weren’t welcomed there.
Still, we pushed on. Because that’s what racing people do.
We poured our hearts into the CENTENAIRE. It wasn’t just a watch — it was a tribute. A nod to the century of history behind Le Mans, and a piece of art for those who understood what it means to survive 24 hours of that relentless circuit. Designed with care, made with purpose, the CENTENAIRE told a story before the race even began.
The race itself started with hope. The Nielsen Racing team had prepared well, and our LMP2 car looked strong — sharp, fast, and ready. Seeing the Omologato logo on the side of the car as it lined up for the start was one of the proudest moments in our history.
But motorsport can be cruel.
Just after the three-hour mark, disaster struck. A driver fault accident ended our race prematurely. No comeback, no fairy tale, just heartbreak. All the work, all the tension, all the late nights — scattered in gravel and carbon fiber.
It would be easy to say it wasn’t worth it. That the stress, the resistance, and the result made the whole thing a mistake. But we don’t see it that way.
We stood on the start line of Le Mans. We put a watch on the map that marked a moment in time — the CENTENAIRE isn’t just about the race, it’s about everything that led to it. The obstacles, the politics, the emotion — that’s all part of the story. The ACO didn’t want us there. But we showed up anyway.
And we’ll show up again.
Because Omologato isn’t built for comfort zones. We’re built for moments like this — raw, real, and unforgettable.
Shami Kalra - FOUNDER