Stefan Johansson Vaxjo Mark VIII D033 - Patrón Highcroft Racing Sebring 2008 Commemorative Edition

This isn't just a watch—it's a piece of motorsport history you can wear. The Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark VIII D033, commissioned exclusively by The Patrón Spirits Company to commemorate the legendary 2008 12 Hours of Sebring. Limited to just 12 pieces worldwide, this is one of the rarest racing chronographs ever created, celebrating one of endurance racing's most prestigious events and the Patrón Highcroft Racing team's valiant fifth-place finish.

Stefan Johansson isn't a celebrity watch ambassador who poses with timepieces—he's a former Ferrari and McLaren Formula 1 driver, a Le Mans 24 Hours winner for Porsche, and someone who spent over 30 years racing at the absolute pinnacle of international motorsport. When Stefan creates a watch, it's designed by someone who's lived at 200mph, someone who understands what matters when fractions of seconds determine victory or defeat. The Mark VIII D033 isn't inspired by racing—it's created by racing itself.

The 47mm stainless steel case commands serious wrist presence without apology. This is a driver's watch, built to be seen in the cockpit, legible at a glance whilst managing g-forces and concentration. That brushed stainless steel finish is purposeful—no flashy coatings, no precious metals, just honest steel that can handle the demands of real motorsport. The smooth bezel features numerals running continuously around its circumference, providing that essential racing aesthetic whilst maintaining the clean lines Stefan favours.

The black dial is a masterclass in motorsport-inspired design and functional legibility. Arabic numerals mark positions 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11 o'clock, creating a distinctive asymmetrical pattern that's both visually interesting and genuinely practical. The three chronograph subdials provide the timing functions that endurance racing demands—tracking elapsed time with the precision that separates podium finishes from also-rans. SuperLuminova coating ensures visibility in any lighting condition, because races don't stop when the sun goes down, and neither should your watch's legibility.

Inside beats the legendary ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic chronograph movement—the workhorse calibre that's powered countless racing chronographs for decades. With 28,800 vibrations per hour and proven reliability, this movement delivers the accuracy and durability that Stefan Johansson's name demands. The exhibition sapphire case back reveals the custom-engraved Stefan Johansson Växjö rotor at work, whilst the case back itself bears the watch's extraordinary provenance: "Limited Edition" and crucially, "Sebring 08."

That Sebring 08 engraving tells a story. In March 2008, Stefan Johansson drove the No. 9 Patrón Highcroft Acura ARX-01b alongside David Brabham and Scott Sharp in the 56th running of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. The gruelling 12-hour endurance race on Sebring's legendary airport circuit is one of America's most prestigious motorsport events, and the Patrón Highcroft team's fifth-place overall finish was hard-earned against world-class competition. The Patrón Spirits Company commissioned just 12 of these watches to commemorate that race—making this one of the most exclusive motorsport timepieces in existence.

The black textured leather strap provides both comfort and character, developing patina with wear whilst maintaining its racing aesthetic. The signed Stefan Johansson buckle ensures security whilst reinforcing this watch's authentic motorsport provenance. This is a strap designed to be worn, not babied—built for someone who appreciates that watches are tools first, jewellery second.

At 47mm, this watch doesn't apologize for its size. Racing watches need to be seen, need to be legible, need to command attention. The domed sapphire crystal provides excellent visibility whilst the anti-glare coating ensures you can read the time in any lighting condition—trackside in blazing Florida sun or in the dim cockpit during night stints. This is functional design informed by decades of professional racing experience.

What makes this Mark VIII D033 extraordinarily special is its exclusivity. Stefan Johansson Växjö watches are already rare—production numbers are intentionally limited because Stefan oversees every detail personally. But a Patrón-commissioned commemorative edition limited to just 12 pieces? This isn't a watch you'll see at watch gatherings or spot on someone else's wrist. This is genuinely one-of-twelve, created for a specific moment in motorsport history, celebrating a specific team, a specific race, a specific achievement.

The Patrón Highcroft Racing connection adds layers of collectability. Patrón Spirits' involvement in ALMS (American Le Mans Series) represented some of the most competitive prototype racing of the era, and their partnership with Highcroft Racing produced memorable performances across multiple seasons. This watch captures that moment when corporate sponsorship, professional drivers, and endurance racing excellence intersected at one of America's most famous circuits.

In very good condition with original box and papers, this Mark VIII D033 shows honest wear from someone who appreciated it enough to actually wear it. These aren't marks of neglect—they're evidence of a watch fulfilling its purpose. The complete documentation proves this watch's extraordinary provenance and limited production, essential for a piece this rare and collectible.

For collectors of motorsport memorabilia, this watch offers something unique: genuine racing heritage from an actual racing driver, commemorating a real race, in genuinely limited numbers. This isn't a brand licensing their name to a watch manufacturer—this is Stefan Johansson's own company, his own designs, his own vision of what a racing watch should be. When you own a Stefan Johansson Växjö watch, you're wearing something created by someone who's won at Le Mans, driven for Ferrari and McLaren, and lived the life that most racing watches only reference.

The original retail for standard Mark VIII D models was $9,500, but this Patrón Sebring 08 edition of 12 pieces was never offered for general sale—these were commissioned pieces, distributed to select individuals connected to the race, the team, or the sponsor. Finding one available today is extraordinarily rare. Most owners of these ultra-limited pieces keep them, understanding their significance and exclusivity.

This is the watch for the serious motorsport collector who appreciates genuine racing provenance over mass-market accessibility. It's for someone who knows that Sebring isn't just another circuit—it's hallowed ground in American endurance racing. It's for someone who recognizes Stefan Johansson's name and respects his achievements. It's for someone who understands that 12 pieces worldwide means genuine exclusivity, not marketing hype.

The Stefan Johansson Växjö Mark VIII D033 Patrón Sebring 08 edition doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's bold, it's large, it's unapologetically masculine, and it's absolutely authentic. This is a racing watch created by a racing driver to commemorate a racing achievement, limited to a number you can count on your fingers. How many watches in your collection can make that claim?

One of twelve. Sebring 2008. Patrón Highcroft Racing. Stefan Johansson at the wheel. This is motorsport history on your wrist.

Ready to own a piece of racing legend?