Fans of the Chopard Mille Miglia, do not adjust your eyes ! When I first saw this year’s new models I admit I also did a double take. Gone is the tapering bezel which normally adds a bit of girth, and where you’d expect to find a GMT or tachymeter scale, gone is the red arrow-tipped hand for the central seconds…. and oh my there will be rumblings – gone is the super cool 1960’s Dunlop tyre tread strap.
Allow me to explain. This year’s Mille Miglia edition is inspired by the early years of “the world’s most beautiful road race”, hence the lack of chunky robustness, making for an altogether more vintage-styled and let’s be honest tamer version of Chopard’s sporty chronograph timer.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 – Baselworld
Back in the day, it was the Italian cars which dominated the race, so this year the Chopard Mille Miglia takes on the colours of the Italian flag – a green minute circle, a red tachymeter scale and a pristinely white dial.
All Mille Miglia models feature clean, neatly laid out dials and this piece, despite the dial edge clutter has a fuss-free inner dial with plain counters and outline numerals. The date window has been slipped in between the 4 and 5 o’clock and even the iconic Mille Miglia logo is diminutive.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2014
The Chopard/Mille Miglia dalliance is a most authentic and enduring partnership, one which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013. Both of Chopards main men participate in classic car racing and therefore think nothing of flinging their priceless vintage cars around picturesque country lanes at breathtaking speeds. The Mille Miglia brand has been handled respectfully by Chopard with new thematic limited editions released each year.
The editions of the 2014 Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 watch will be released with a choice of 18K rose gold or steel cases sized at 42mm. Each model is equipped with a COSC-certified chronograph movement with a power reserve of 42 hours viewable through caseback sapphire.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 – Caseback
If like me, you are a fan of the broad bezel, big bubble date window and the hefty but handsome good looks of the previous models then perhaps this one won’t be to your liking. Those wishing for a vintage-inspired well built sports timer, symbolic of one of the world’s most famous classic car races, will find much to admire in the subtle styling of these new models – and if you also happen to be Italian, then it’s a win/win – what’s not to like ?
The Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 edition will be a limited edition of 2014 pieces with steel case and 250 pieces with 18k rose gold case, each presented on an overstitched Barenia calf-skin leather strap which themselves have been inspired by the bonnet straps on vintage cars.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 (in Steel)
