By Osheen Arakelian
Inspired by the speed machines having taken part in “la corsa più bella del mondo” between 1940 and 1957, the Mille Miglia 2015 Race Edition bears a power-reserve indicator reminiscent of a petrol gauge, along with a flaming “Rossa Corsa” red dial and oversized numerals evoking typical 1950s dashboards. This exclusive edition is issued in limited series of 1,000 in steel and 100 in rose gold.
The Mille Miglia range from Chopard has a special place in my heart because of its significance in the automotive world that I absolutely love even to this day. Every year I wait with anticipation to see what prestigious cars will be attending the event but more importantly, what the new Chopard Mille Miglia timepiece will look like when the stage is set and its time to race. I can safely say that Chopard has always been on point and never disappointed when it comes to their Mille Miglia collection and this year is no exception. The new Mille Miglia as already stated comes in two variants, a rose gold and stainless steel respectively.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2015 Race Edition Ref. 161296-5002
The most notable feature for the Mille Miglia watch is of course its distinct styling from case to dial and even down to the smaller details like the 1000 Miglia next to the date window at 3 o’clock. Usually we start off with the case but I can’t help myself and I have to talk about the dial first and foremost. The dial is very powerful and vibrant with its use of “Rosso Corsa” red that is an iconic colour used on many racing cars to identify competitors nationality. This iconic red was also chosen as the competition colour of Italy for when the race takes place. The dial is accented by the use of white numerals and indices surrounded by either rose gold or stainless steel to really make the colours stand out from one another and push the various elements of the dial out, creating a gorgeous 3D effect.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2015 Race Edition Ref. 168566-3002
The dial also features a black inner bezel for the running seconds and a fuel gauge themed power reserve indicator located at 9 o’clock finishes off the piece in true automotive fashion. However, one notable difference is the new 1000 Miglia logo located at 3 o’clock. Usually from past models, the logo sits next to the date window but the new model features a redesigned logo that wraps around the date window making the logo and date window look as one. A subtle change but it works to make the dial feel less cluttered as they don’t appear as two individual features but as one big feature opposite the power reserve indicator.
With the dial so beautifully finished, its only fitting that the engine powering the timepiece match. The Mille Miglia 2015 Race Edition is equipped with the Chopard Calibre 01.08-C mechanical self-winding movement, which has been entirely developed and engineered by the white coats at Chopard. The movement is of course, like all Chopard Mile Miglia timepieces, chronometer certified (COSC) and features approximately 60 hour power reserve.
The entire piece is finished off with a black Berenia leather strap with black stitching and a folding clasp in steel or 18carat rose gold. A beautiful new addition to the Mille Miglia family and one that has the same DNA as we have come to expect when we think of the Mille Miglia. For more info, please visit chopard.com
Case:
Steel or 18ct rose gold
Total diameter 43.00 mm
Thickness 11.43 mm
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Crown in steel or 18ct rose gold 7.00 mm
Bezel in steel or 18ct rose gold with black aluminium insert
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Exhibition back secured with screws and bearing the inscriptions
“Mille Miglia” and “Brescia > Roma > Brescia”
Movement:
Self-winding movement Chopard 01.08-C
Total diameter 28.60 mm
Thickness 4.95 mm
Number of jewels 40
Frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve approx. 60 hours
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Red varnished dial with white transfers
Metallised black appliques and numerals painted with Superluminova
Power-reserve indicator with black and white transfers
Metallised black or gilt central sweep-seconds hand
Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds
Date window at 3 o’clock
Power-reserve indicator at 9 o’clock
Strap and clasp:
Black Barenia leather with black stitching
Folding clasp in steel or 18ct rose gold
Ref. 168566-3002 – In steel
1,000-piece limited edition
Ref. 161296-5002 – In 18ct rose gold
100-piece limited edition
OSHEEN ARAKELIAN – CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Drawing on a lifelong love of horology and a more recent introduction to appreciation of fine whisky, Osheen brought the two together with watch & whisky. He is proprietor of the site, which covers everything related to watches and whisky. In between completing a degree in commercial law and supporting a rich social life, he is out and about attending all the latest watch and whisky events Sydney has to offer. His passion has also taken him around Australia attending a number of events and he hopes to continue his career in the watch industry on a more serious level after he graduates. Read his articles here.
