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Top Classics : Driving Passion and Prestige in Top Marques’ Classic Car Hall

by with No Comment Non classifié(e)

Since the inception of the Classic Car Hall at Top Marques Monaco in 2022, Top Classics has been a cornerstone exhibitor, showcasing their unwavering dedication to automotive excellence. From their roots in Belgium to their new life on the Côte d’Azur, this family’s journey embodies a harmonious blend of heritage, innovation, and the art of living through luxury automobiles.

 

Relocating from Belgium to the Côte d’Azur is far more than a simple change of address. For this Belgian family, it represents a profound transformation of life, driven by a clear vision: combining passion, excellence, and quality of life. Between Monaco and the south of France, their journey illustrates how luxury automobiles and high performance can seamlessly integrate into a balanced family lifestyle.

A Passion Embedded in the Family’s DNA

Automobiles have always held a central place in the family’s life. In Belgium, cars were never just a means of transportation but objects of fascination, embodying mechanical craftsmanship, innovation, and emotion. Family discussions often revolved around engines, iconic designs, and the thrill of driving. This passion, passed down through generations, found new momentum on the Côte d’Azur. Here, automobiles become a full-fledged experience: winding roads in the hinterland, Mediterranean panoramas, and a culture where prestige and exclusivity are integral to daily life.

Top Marques Monaco: A Natural Stage for Their Vision

The connection with Top Marques Monaco was an obvious choice. More than just an automotive exhibition, this platform serves as a unique space where innovation, performance, and lifestyle converge. For the family, Top Marques Monaco is a meeting point for enthusiasts, collectors, and key players in the world of luxury automobiles.

Being part of this universe allows them to share their demanding vision of the automotive world: prestige rooted in authenticity, precision, and emotion rather than ostentation. In Monaco, every vehicle on display tells a story, and every detail reflects a pursuit of excellence that resonates with their own values.

Settling on the Côte d’Azur: A New Balance

The move to the south of France and Monaco profoundly influenced the family’s dynamics. This decision was not solely based on the region’s climate or allure but on the desire to find an environment where personal life and professional ambitions could coexist harmoniously.

The rhythm of the Côte d’Azur is more fluid and inspiring, enabling the family to strengthen their bonds, better manage time between work and shared moments, and thrive in an international ecosystem closely tied to prestige and automobiles. Monaco’s proximity has also opened doors to new opportunities: international networks, strategic encounters, and direct access to major industry events. The Mediterranean has become a daily backdrop, providing essential serenity to the family’s equilibrium.

Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari: Two Complementary Philosophies

Why Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari? For the family, these two brands represent distinct yet complementary visions of prestige and performance.

Mercedes-Benz embodies heritage, technical precision, and timeless elegance. Their focus is particularly on the brand’s classic models, which they restore with absolute fidelity to the original. Each restoration project is approached as a true rebirth, where every detail matters: bodywork, engine, upholstery, and instrumentation. This work goes far beyond aesthetics; it is a dialogue with history, a deep respect for the engineering of the era, and an appreciation for the soul of each vehicle.

Ferrari, on the other hand, represents pure passion and immediate adrenaline. The first ignition of a Ferrari engine on a mountain road remains an unforgettable memory: the sound, the power, and the direct connection between driver and machine. Ferrari is not just a car but an intense experience, often associated with exceptional moments and iconic automotive events.

Balancing Family Life and Luxury Automobiles

Navigating the world of luxury automobiles while maintaining a harmonious family life is a delicate balance. For this family, the key lies in sharing. Automotive events become shared experiences, professional trips sometimes turn into family getaways, and the passion is naturally passed down to the younger generation.

Here, prestige is not synonymous with excess but with thoughtful choices, quality time, and shared values. The Côte d’Azur offers a rare setting where professional ambitions and personal well-being can mutually reinforce each other.

A Path Focused on the Future

Now settled between the south of France and Monaco, the family continues their journey, driven by an unwavering passion for exceptional automobiles. Their story reflects a modern vision of prestige: international, demanding, yet deeply human.

From Belgium to the Côte d’Azur, this journey is not merely geographical. It is the story of a family that has transformed a passion into a true art of living, at the heart of elegance, performance, and automotive emotion.

VB Blue

Van Bergen 1795 Makes Horological Debut at Top Marques

by with No Comment Communiqués-de-presseNon classifié(e)

Top Marques Monaco, renowned as the ultimate launchpad for supercars and luxury innovations, will host the global horological debut of Van Bergen 1795 at its 2026 edition, from May 6 – 10.

The world premiere will take place in Top Marques Monaco’s newly enhanced Watch and Jewellery Pavilion – 30% larger to meet growing demands for exceptional timepieces alongside the world’s most coveted supercars.

Translating 230 years of acoustic mastery from carillons to horological complications

For 230 years, the Van Bergen name has resonated across continents through bells, tower clocks, and carillons. Now, that audible legacy transforms into haute horlogerie – where every timepiece will continue the family’s sonic heritage through integrated sound complications.

The company will present its inaugural collection – The Heero Collection – at Top Marques Monaco’s 21st edition, in the Principality’s Grimaldi Forum.

Princely Tribute to Monaco

Van Bergen 1795 will present H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco with the first-ever Van Bergen wristwatch – a unique Monaco Edition.

A second exclusive Monaco Edition piece will be auctioned, with all proceeds supporting The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation,  contributing to the funding of all its programs around the world.

From Carillon Bells to Chiming Complications

Founded in 1795 by Andries Heeres I in Midwolda, Netherlands, the Van Bergen family mastered the acoustic science of bronze across six generations. Their installations – from tower clock mechanisms to complete carillons comprising dozens of precisely tuned bells played from keyboards – included commissions for John D. Rockefeller and the Netherlands Carillon at Arlington National Cemetery.

In 1933, Van Bergen became the first Dutch foundry since 1735 to produce fully tuned carillons, reclaiming a craft lost for two centuries. This achievement represented generations perfecting acoustic tolerances measured in fractions of millimeters – the difference between bells that sang true and those that failed.

After casting their final bell on 11 April 1980, the legacy entered a new chapter under Baron Dr. rer. nat. h.c. Rudolph Andries Ulrich Juchter van Bergen Quast, KJH, LLM – grandson of the final master bellfounder – and Erik Meijer. Trained as a classical percussionist at the Rotterdam and Royal Conservatoire The Hague, Meijer ensures every Van Bergen timepiece honors the family’s 230-year acoustic mastery.

The Heero Collection: Sound as Heritage

Named for the dynasty’s founders, The Heero Collection features a half-hour sonnerie au passage complication – automatically chiming every half-hour as a direct homage to the carillon bells that marked time across the world’s most distinguished towers. This audible complication is not merely decorative: it represents the Van Bergen commitment that sound will remain central to every timepiece the company creates.

“A Van Bergen without sound would be a Van Bergen without soul,” states Erik Meijer, CEO of Van Bergen 1795. “Our founders shaped bronze into music; we shape movements into melody. For 230 years, the Van Bergen name has been synonymous with the world’s most magnificent bells and carillons. This inaugural collection ensures that musical heritage lives on in every timepiece we create.”

Baron Juchter van Bergen Quast, President, reflects on this transformation: “When my family ended bell founding, I knew our legacy of precision couldn’t end. Today, I’m honored to see the same dedication that once shaped bells for Rockefeller now creates timepieces that will become family heirlooms. The tolerances once measured in the tuning of carillon bells now govern the oscillation of balance wheels.”

Limited Production

The inaugural Heero Collection comprises 230 individually numbered pieces in five distinctive dial colors, honoring the company’s 1795 founding year. The Monaco Edition – comprising 50 titanium and 9 white gold pieces – will debut simultaneously.

Top Marques Monaco 2026

Van Bergen 1795 will exhibit at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco’s Watch & Jewellery Pavilion, alongside legendary automotive marques including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, McLaren, and exceptional classic cars, motorbikes, and boats. Emeric Garcia, director of Top Marques Monaco, said: “We are honored to host Van Bergen 1795’s global debut at Top Marques Monaco. We have worked tirelessly to establish our reputation as a premier launch pad for supercars and transport innovation, and we are thrilled that this recognition has now extended to the world of luxury timepieces.

“When a 230-year legacy transforms from crafting bell towers to adorning wrists, it perfectly embodies our event’s spirit—where legendary craftsmanship meets contemporary excellence. This world premiere, alongside Van Bergen’s tribute to H.S.H. Prince Albert II and their support for The Princess Charlene Foundation, exemplifies luxury that honors both heritage and philanthropy.”

TOPMARQUES SAMEDI-28

GMK : Top Marques’ Ambassador

by with No Comment BusinessNon classifié(e)

GMK is a French YouTuber and influencer who has become a major player in the automotive world. Known for his unbridled passion for cars, he has quickly established himself as one of YouTube’s key automotive figures, thanks to his captivating content and distinctive approach.

The Beginning of the YouTube Adventure

GMK launched his YouTube career in 2015, after realizing that the traditional education system wasn’t his path.

Instead of following the norm, he combined his love for cars with his straightforward communication style to create a channel. The goal was simple: share his passion for luxury and sports cars in a way that’s both entertaining and accessible for everyone.

A Unique Approach that Resonated

It didn’t take long for GMK to start making a name for himself with his personal and unique approach. His tone is relaxed, authentic, and refreshing, all while staying honest and candid in his reviews. This transparency earned him the respect of his ever-growing community, who admire his ability to speak openly about cars. His followers appreciate that he highlights what makes a car great while not shying away from pointing out its flaws.

No Sugar-Coating in Reviews

One of GMK’s standout qualities is his ability to provide car reviews with complete objectivity. His goal is not to push one model over another, but rather to share his honest insights in a sincere, down-to-earth manner.

A prime example of this is his review of the Audi RS6, a car he truly admires. In his video, he praises the car’s impressive V8 twin-turbo engine, incredible comfort, and cutting-edge technology, but he’s also candid about the older model’s brake inefficiencies over time. It’s this mix of realism and transparency that really sets GMK apart from other automotive creators. His content is all about making high-end cars feel accessible to everyone, no matter their background.

A Loyal and Engaged Community

As his channel grew, GMK built a strong, engaged community of car enthusiasts. With over 2.46 million subscribers, he’s become the leading automotive YouTuber in France. He actively connects with his followers on Instagram, where he shares daily moments, stories, and photos with his 4.9 million followers. This interaction keeps him close to his community, both online and in real life.

GMK: The Ambassador of Top Marques Monaco

A true automotive enthusiast, GMK has solidified his place as a prominent YouTube figure and ambassador for modern cars. His influence extends to prestigious events like Top Marques Monaco, where he’s become the ideal ambassador. With his loyal fan base and strong visibility, GMK brings the event closer to his audience, offering exclusive meet-and-greets and giving his followers the chance to see the latest supercars up close before anyone else.

A Passion that Sets Him Apart

Today, GMK is a well-respected YouTuber, with a career built on his love for cars and his genuine approach to content creation. His story proves that it’s possible to blend a passion for cars with social media in a way that feels both authentic and transparent. His commitment to producing high-quality content, staying true to his values, and nurturing a trustful relationship with his community has made him one of the top automotive figures on YouTube.

GMK continues to grow, evolve, and innovate, and his channel remains a must-follow for anyone who shares his passion for automobiles.

Catch GMK during Top Marques, and be sure to follow him on YouTube @gmk01 and Instagram @gmk001!