Getting up to speed with the Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition
James RobinsonUnveiled at Baselworld earlier this year, the Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition celebrates the Swiss watch brand’s illustrious 31-year relationship with Italy’s most storied road rally. Inspired by not just the event itself, but the classic automobiles that compete in the famous rally, the 2019 Race Edition represents the passion that Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele shares for classic automobiles.
The striking 44mm case is available in either steel or two-tone steel and rose gold, and is paired with a motorsport-inspired perforated tan leather band with Chopard’s signature rubber tyre tread pattern lining. Like most watches born out of the crucible of motorsport, the Race Edition’s bezel is treated to a very handy tachymeter, which no doubt would have been used thoroughly by those taking part in this year’s Mille Miglia. And it wouldn’t be a watch for the racetrack without a chronograph complication, with the Race Edition’s three sub-dials depicting running seconds, a 30-minute counter and a 12-hour counter. The main dial of the watch is finished in a striking and masculine galvanic grey colour with a mesmerising concentric snail pattern that really makes the contrasting black sub-dials of the aforementioned 30-minute counter and 12-hour counter pop.
Powering the Race Edition is a self-winding, chronometer certified movement with an impressive 48 hours of power reserve that beats away at 28,800 (4Hz) per hour. Adorning the back of the case is a wonderfully decorated engraving of the Mille Miglia’s famous logo and accompanying text that reads “Brescia > Roma > Brescia” denoting the legendary race’s course through Italy. With production limited to just 1250 in total — 1000 examples in steel and 250 in two-tone — the Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition could be the perfect addition to the collection of anyone with 110 Octane running through their veins.
Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition price
Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition, in steel on leather, $9980 AUD