Racing In Style
Chopard and Mille Miglia celebrate a 30-year-old partnership strengthened by a shared love for precision mechanics
It is no coincidence that Chopard co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is as passionate about cars as he is about fine watchmaking. Many discerning individuals who are ardent fans of automobiles have a similar appreciation for wristwatches. This shared enthusiasm for good mechanics is celebrated every year during the prestigious Mille Miglia.
The annual endurance race spanning a thousand miles through the Italian countryside and back spurs on the tandem of historic cars and gentlemen drivers. 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of Chopard’s role as the official timekeeper, churning out unique watch models for aficionados who want a mix of sport and luxury. The limited edition Mille Miglia Racing Colours collection provides just that.
The collection comes in a slew of bright and bold hues sported by various nations who have competed over the years. Cased in 42 millimetres of stainless steel, the dials are tinted in Rossa Corsa Italian Red, German Speed Silver, Belgian Speed Yellow, French Vintage Blue, and British Racing Green.
Optimal legibility is owed to silver-toned Arabic numerals and cursive fonts that are luminescent at night. Applying the same qualities to the hour and minute hands allows competing drivers to make calculations based on the bordering tachymetre scale without taking their eyes off the road. Lastly, the bright red tip of the seconds-indicator is meant to tick off precious seconds in the event.
The timepiece’s chronograph functions and overall design are inspired from dashboards typical of the roaring 20s, a decade when the sport rose to popularity. The strap is finished off with a contrasting Dunlop tire tread motif, yet another homage to vintage races.
Successfully blending comfort and elegance into a particularity for precision, Chopard’s Mille Miglia Racing Colours is a tool and statement for the gentleman who paces some of the world’s most scenic routes, taking with him a piece of the competition from Brescia to Rome and back via Ferrera, Cervia, San Marino, Sienna, Parma, and the famous Monza track.