Chopard take a roadtrip to France with the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Edition
Buffy Acacia- The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Edition celebrates the Salon Rétromobile in Paris.
- Colours of the French flag have subtly been used to transform the Italian-based racing watch.
- It uses the 2023-redesigned case with a 40.5mm diameter and 49mm lug-to-lug.
Chopard’s connection to Italy’s most legendary motor race is a personal one, as their co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has participated in every race since 1989. Although the competition technically ended in 1957, the Mille Miglia’s revival with a mix of historic and modern classes is an absolute essential in the Italian calendar. But, do the Italians get to have all the fun? Considering the role France played in creating the first-ever automobile, Chopard has created the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Edition to honour them.
The Mille Miglia might be exclusively Italian, however within Chopard’s catalogue, it’s simply the name of their racing watches. It does mean that on something like this French limited edition you need to ignore the red ‘1000 Miglia’ sign on the dial, or otherwise embrace the geographical irregularity. The colours of the French flag have been used in the dial’s design, but the effect is extremely subtle. A dark navy blue forms the majority of the contrast against the brushed silver dial, and sharp pops of tomato red can be seen on the logo, hands, and minute markers. The layout certainly isn’t a traditional one, with the Arabic numerals in a contemporary typeface angled with the slope of the dial, and occasionally cropped by the triple-register subdials. Despite that, the combination of the shining silver and the polished case parts makes for a sports watch that’s surprisingly dressy.
The case for the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Edition is actually quite interesting, as the whole thing got a huge redesign last year. Bringing the overall diameter down from 42mm to 40.5mm was a bit of a no-brainer in the current market, as smaller watches are perhaps the most fashionable they’ve ever been since the 1950s. There’s no shortage of 42mm chronographs with racing flair, so Chopard has helped set themselves apart in the view of mindful consumers who know how to shop based on size. The lug-to-lug length is 49mm, which should be a comfortable fit for an average wrist, but balanced with powerful wrist presence that’s aided by their long, slender appearance and the slim, polished bezel. Of course, this watch uses Chopard’s signature blend of Lucent steel which is 80% recycled and heat-treated to be 50% harder than regular steel.
Powering the watch is actually an ETA calibre A322-11, which so far seems to be used exclusively by these watches. It features the titular chronometer with registers for minutes, hours, and a running seconds hand, along with a date display tucked down at 4:30. Running at a smooth-sweeping 4Hz, the 54-hour power reserve and automatic winding should be more than enough to run the chronograph throughout the day if that’s your habit. It’s also a COSC-certified chronometer, guaranteeing accuracy within -4/+6 seconds per day. The caseback has a sapphire display for the movement and its various decorative finishes, plus the crossed chequered flag of a race finish and the French flag.
The Chopard Mille Milie Classic Chronograph French Edition pricing and availability
The Chopard Mille Milie Classic Chronograph French Edition is a limited edition of 100 pieces. Price: €10,400
| Brand | Chopard |
| Model | Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Edition |
| Reference Number | 168619-3007 |
| Case Dimensions | 40.5mm (D) x 12.88mm (T) x 49mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Lucent steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Silver and blue |
| Bracelet | Perforated blue leather |
| Movement | ETA A322-11 |
| Power Reserve | 54 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Limited to 100 pieces |
| Price | €10,400 |