Since 1988 Chopard is the official timekeeper and an essential sponsor of the Mille Miglia. Now the watches from the collection with the same name get in-house calibres.
The so called the worlds most beautiful race (la corsa più bella del mondo) that annually stretches from Brescia to Rome and back is a lucrative playground for Chopard. The Mille Miglia collection has become the cash cow of the brand, the chronographs and sport watches sell. There was until today only one little negative aspect: The entire collection was powered by ETA calibres. The L.U.C-calibres are far too expensive so Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele invested a lot of money in a second manufacturing unit under the roof of Chopard called Fleurier Ebauche. Here Mister Scheufele can produce calibres at another price point and use them now also for the Mille Miglia collection. Before being able to do this Scheufele needed to ramp up the production in Fleurier.
Let me present you the first of the next generation Mille Miglia watches…
At Chopard, the term Power Control refers to a power-reserve indicator. For the first time in its history, a Mille Miglia model is driven by a Chopard movement. Calibre 01.08-C is entirely developed, designed and assembled within the workshops of Fleurier Ebauches.
The nature of this watch entirely matches that of the glorious classic cars that take part in this race. Its construction ensures the robustness that is indispensable on a model dedicated to competitive racing. Its automatic winding ensures essential ease of use. Its 60-hour power reserve enables its owner to find it still running smoothly and accurately after a period of rest. Finally, its certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) testifies to the precision of its rating, a must-have attribute for Chopard watches in general and of course for racing drivers. This much-coveted statute is reflected by the “Chronometer” inscription appearing on the dial of the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control. The Mille Miglia GTS Power Control introduces a font characteristic of the new Mille Miglia GTS collection. The dial features oversized 6 and 12 o’clock numerals painted in Superluminova and reminiscent of the dashboards of classic cars that forever preserve the spirit of the “competizione” dear to the hearts of classic racing enthusiasts.
Technical features
Case:
Steel
Total diameter 43.00 mm
Thickness 11.43 mm
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Steel crown
Exhibition back with screws bearing the inscriptions ‘Mille Miglia’ and ‘Brescia > Roma > Brescia’
Movement:
Mechanical self-winding movement Chopard 01.08-C
Total diameter 28.60 mm
Number of jewels 40
Power reserve approx. 60 hours
Frequency 28,800 A/h (= 4 Hz)
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Matt velvet-finish black dial with white and red transfers
Superluminova-painted rhodiumed numerals and appliques
Power-reserve indicator with black and red transfers
Rhodiumed facetted hours and minutes hands
Red central seconds hand
Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds
Date window at 3 o’clock
Power-reserve indicator at 9 o’clock
Strap and clasp:
Rubber strap inspired by 1960s Dunlop racing tyres
Steel folding clasp
Ref. 168566-3001 – Stainless steel
This Chopard Mille Miglia is beautiful! I really like how simple the face is and the empty-full meter and the black strap designed like tire treads goes very well.I have always been inspired by the racing collection.I became disabled last year due to back problems and have really found interest in watches.I have started a small collection of lower end watches and when it comes to high end Chopard really does it for me! One of these days a Chopard will be on my wrist…
The design is a solid masculine shape and all the references to one of the great road events made it a winner. I would expect it to hit a fair price point.
I admire any company willing to produce their own movements. I see several design cues from earlier ETAs and it looks like the assortment is Nivarox FAR. ETA movements are a good point of departure for new designs. Its larger diameter by 2.66 mm over 11.5 ligne so there is more room for precision at a lower price
Good decisions m. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele
Thanks Alexander and keep those reports coming.
Though Chopard keeps on creating some fabulous watches, I think this brand is highly under-rated and media people keep on ignoring Chopard to a great extent.
You can sense immediately to which family the watch belongs. So there is strong identification to the Mille Miglias. The power reserve indication is new and especially liked by me. This if of course enabled by their own movement, which looks well in shape. Thanks to the case back, you can observe it working.
Well done Chopard and all the best!
Hopefully it’ll be much more affordable like the original Mille Miglia compared to the superfast….
Finally Chopard upgrades the MM. I always liked the watches but not their ETAs