Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition
Angus Davies reviews the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition. This watch is equipped with a chronograph, self-winding movement and chronometer status.
This detailed review of the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition includes live images, specification details and pricing.
Few nations can usurp Italy when it comes to exuding passion. The boot-shaped country brims with emotion wherever you choose to look. The food is not merely a means to sustain, it is a vehicle to express the love of nature and show respect for tradition. Food is just one facet of Italian life where intense feelings are freely shown.
In Italy, motor-racing goes beyond the simple notion of sport, exhibiting huge importance within the psyche of the nation. The significance of motor-racing in Italy is manifest with the annual Mille Miglia, where streets are lined with enthusiastic spectators. The event has changed over the years, primarily due to safety concerns. Nevertheless, the sight of vintage cars, produced between 1927 and 1957, tackling the 1000 mile circular route from Brescia via Rome, remains a mouth-watering prospect.
Chopard and the Mille Miglia
Chopard has been the official timekeeper of the Mille Miglia since 1988. However, unlike many companies sponsoring motor-sport events, the Co-President of Chopard, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, regularly competes in the race, revealing his innate passion for octane-fuelled thrills.
Since embarking on a relationship with the Mille Miglia, Chopard has produced a limited edition timepiece each year, with only two exceptions. In 1989, the brand released a limited edition keyring and in 1992, a set of Mille Miglia cufflinks.
The numerous Chopard timepieces bearing the Mille Miglia red arrow logo have mainly been equipped with a chronograph movement.
Some of the early Mille Miglia timepieces featured quartz movements. Thankfully, since 1997, each limited edition watch produced by Chopard has incorporated a self-winding mechanical movement. I use the word, ‘thankfully’, as quartz movements seem a little inert when contrasted with the profuse joy proffered by mechanical power.
Last year, Chopard revealed the Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition, offered in two variants, a steel cased version limited to 2014 examples and a rose gold option restricted to a mere 250 pieces. Save for the different metals employed, both timepieces share the same specification, including a chronograph, self-winding movement and chronometer status, all elements which appeal to my sensibilities.
The dial
The styling of the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition exudes an air of nostalgia and is reminiscent of the automotive instruments found on classic cars.
The rich, beige dial evinces a vintage feel as if it has slightly matured with the onset of years. This creamy shade confers a sense of warmth and blends beautifully with both the steel and gold case options offered.
Chopard has labelled the chronograph registers at 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock, ’12 hours’ and ’30 minutes’, respectively. This detail reminds me of the labels ‘Olio’, ‘Acqua’ and ‘Benzina’ found on car instruments of yesteryear. A small seconds display is positioned at 3 o’clock featuring the Mille Miglia logo.
Arabic numerals are used to denote the hours. They are presented in cream, outlined in black and feature serifs which heightens the sense of classicism. The hour markers defer to the subdials in importance, with some numerals, or parts thereof, being omitted. Nothing has been allowed to impair the view of the subdials.
The hour and minute hands are lined with luminescent fill, no doubt proving useful when driving down dimly lit country lanes.
Chopard has acknowledged Italy with the palette of colours used. The minute track is green and the tachymeter scale is red, intentionally referencing the hues depicted on the Italian flag.
The date display is located between 4 and 5 o’clock, employing black text on a white date disc. At first, I did contemplate whether a cream date disc would look more cohesive. However, on reflection the brilliant white background of the date disc seems to enhance legibility, vindicating the decision made by Chopard’s design team.
The red tachymeter scale, used in conjunction with the red central chronograph seconds hand, allows the wearer to ascertain the speed of a vehicle over a given distance and seems a logical inclusion on this Mille Miglia model.
The case
The case of the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition is the epitome of neatness. The diameter is a universally agreeable 42mm. The case height of 12.31mm could not be described as slim but, in situ, it nuzzles the wrist elegantly. The sides of the case band are absolutely vertical with no unseemly protrusions. The push pieces emerge from the case, resembling truncated cylinders, eschewing excessive styling and adopting a discreet persona.
The lugs are curved on their upper and lower surfaces but the sides are straight, tapering gently and delivering a tidy appearance.
Chopard has executed this case beautifully. It has a hushed character, synergistically enhancing the whole but never at the expense of drawing the eyes away from the dial.
The bezel features a curved edge which sits atop the arc-like upper surface of the case, delivering an attractive interaction with light.
The case back is secured with eight screws and features a sapphire crystal. Adjacent the window pane located at the rear, the Mille Miglia logo is displayed once more, but this time it adopts a curving line.
The movement
Chopard has equipped this model with a modular chronograph movement. It is a chronometer, certified by COSC. The oscillating mass is adorned with Côtes de Genève motif and the specification also includes circular graining on the bridges and blued screws.
I admit to being a hug fan of Chopard’s L.U.C models with their incredible finishing. Sadly, this automatic calibre lacks the visual grandeur of a Chopard L.U.C movement, but the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition is designed to compete within a lower price segment. Indeed, the recommended retail price of £3560 for the steel version precludes the high-end finishing synonymous with the ultimate expression of Chopard ownership.
Closing remarks
The Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition is an achingly beautiful chronograph, suffused with passion and style. Indeed, I suspect it is the passion of Mr Scheufele for the Mille Miglia which has led to the successful design of this watch.
There are many elements to the composition of the dial and the omission of one or two of these details may have enhanced ease of interpretation. However, I would not sacrifice any aspect of the dial layout as it proves truly captivating with its numerous automotive design influences much in evidence.
With many watch buyers, there is always a finite budget for horological acquisitions. While the gold version is very handsome in its noble case, the steel version of the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition makes greater financial sense. Furthermore, with the savings enjoyed, a steel cased Chopard L.U.C could join the Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition to form a highly competitive duo.
Ultimately, it is passion which leads men and women to compete in the Mille Miglia. Likewise, it is a similar form of obsession that tempts watch collectors to acquire additional timepieces. Chopard clearly understands the notion of passion, producing this timepiece which arouses much interest with its emotive design language.
Technical Specification
- Model: Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition
- Reference: 168511-3036
- Case: Stainless steel; diameter 42.00 mm; height 12.31 mm; water resistant to 5 bar (50 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; small seconds; date; chronograph.
- Movement: Self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 37 jewels; power reserve 42 hours.
- Strap: Brown calfskin barenia leather strap presented on stainless steel pin buckle.
- Limited Edition: 2014 pieces (steel).
- Price: £3560 – steel version (RRP as at 24.2.2015)
- Note: Also available in 18-carat rose gold – 250 pieces – £12,330 (RRP as at 24.2.2015)
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