Over the decades, these have come to be highly sought-after collectors’ items, as much for their rarity – all are made in strictly limited numbers – as for the way they perfectly express the inextricable link between the worlds of classic cars and mechanical sports watches.
A chronograph is an essential piece of operational equipment for any serious rally contestant, and every team taking part in the 1000 Miglia is presented with the latest Mille Miglia Race Edition chronograph before they arrive at the start line. The 2020 edition is issued in two versions powered by a chronometer-certified movement: 1,000 in beadblasted DLC-treated stainless steel and 250 in two-tone beadblasted DLC-treated stainless steel and ethical 18-carat rose gold.
The Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition revisits the full-black theme with a beadblasted, Diamond Like Carbon (DLC)-treated case, a matt black varnished dial and contrasting ‘vintage yellow’ markings. The combination adds up to a retro look that appears entirely at home at the steering wheel of a classic automobile, yet which works equally well for regular day or evening wear and is sure to appeal to younger enthusiasts becoming increasingly involved in events such as the 1000 Miglia.
“We had our younger clients in mind when we created this year’s watch. Younger generations are increasingly interested in classic cars, and we’re seeing newly married couples as well as father-and-son tandems taking part in events such as the Mille Miglia. This year’s watch is very much intended for them.”, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-President
Functionality meets legibility and comfort
Partly inspired by the satin black and ‘gunmetal’ finishes often seen on vintage cars, the DLC finish gives the 42-mm, beadblasted stainless steel case a highly attractive appearance that is also scratch-resistant and non-reflective. Comfort and a perfect fit are assured by the use of short strap lugs, while the practical nature of the timepiece is demonstrated by the extreme legibility resulting from the strong contrast between the matt black dial surface and the vintage yellow minute track and tachymeter scale.
These features make this timepiece ideal for the type of speed and distance calculations often called for during special rally stages. The Arabic numerals, also in vintage yellow, are filled with ultra-bright Super-LumiNova® enabling the watch to be more easily read in low-light conditions, while the counter subdials are clearly marked to show 60 seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours. A bold date window is located between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions, while a hint of red on the tip of the seconds hand – together with the subtle inclusion of the famous red 1000 Miglia direction arrow – are the indications on the dial side that this chronograph pays tribute to what Enzo Ferrari called ‘the most beautiful race in the world.’
One watch, two versions
Two versions of the Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition will be available: an all-black model in a 1,000-piece limited series, plus a further run of 250 fitted with bezels made from contrasting beadblasted 18-carat ethical rose gold. Both of them are powered by a chronometer-certified mechanical movement with automatic winding enabling a comfortable 42-hour power reserve. Turning the watch over reveals a sapphire crystal case-back bordered by the 1000 Miglia logo and the unique edition number of each piece while the perfect finishing touch is set by a black, perforated leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a rubber lining featuring Chopard’s signature tread pattern based on that of a 1960s Dunlop racing tyre.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition
Case: 42mm diameter x 12.67mm height – beadblasted black DLC-treated stainless steel with matching bezel or bezel in 18k ethical rose gold – screw-lock crown with steering wheel motif – 50m water-resistance – glare-proofed sapphire crystal over dial – tinted sapphire crystal caseback
Dial: black matte varnished dial – vintage yellow transfers for minute track and tachymetre scale – red 1000 Miglia arrow at noon – black varnished sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock – vintage yellow Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova – faceted metallic black hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova – central chronograph seconds hand with red tip – date window at 4h30
Movement: ETA-2892 with Dubois-Depraz – mechanical automatic chronograph – COSC-certified – 28,000vph/4Hz – 42h power reserve – functions: hours, minutes small seconds, chronograph, date
Strap: perforated black calfskin leather with black stitching – rubber underside Dunlop racing tyre tread – beadblasted black DLC-coated stainless steel folding clasp
References: 168589-3028 steel, limited to 1,000 pieces / 168589-600 steel and 18k rose gold, limited to 250 pieces
Price: EUR 6.670 steel / EUR 8.360 steel/rose gold
