Watches: wrist assessment
Retro limited editions; hurry or you’ll miss out. By Ben Oliver
Three new limited-edition chronographs this month, all with a retro look and a wide range of motoring inspirations, from the most glamorous of Grands Prix via the ‘most beautiful race in the world’ to an Aussie motorcycle customiser. You don’t need to buy into the inspiration to buy the watches: all three are particularly good-looking and desirable in their own right. With numbers strictly limited, you might need to be quick.
01 I Chopard Mille Miglia Race Edition 2021 £6640
This limited-edition Chopard, made as part of its sponsorship of the annual Mille Miglia historic rally, has an exuberant 44mm case, a circular-turned grey dial and big chrono pushers designed to be operated with gloves. A thousand are available in stainless steel, and another 250 in ethical rose gold for £3k more. chopard.com
02 I TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition £6550
Heuer has released two new versions of its Monaco: this one, celebrating this year’s Monaco GP, and another for the historic race that precedes it. The former has a titanium case and pale dial, while the latter gives the Monaco a modish – and divisive – green dial for the first time. Just 500 of each will be made. tagheuer.com
03 I Breitling Top Time Deus Limited Edition £4100
Co-designed with Australian motorcycle, surfing and clothing brand Deus Ex Machina, this version of Breitlng’s retro Top Time gets the Deus logo and its ‘In Benzin Veritas’ slogan on its dial, flashes of orange and red, a lovely yellow-lined, aged-calfskin strap, and a Deus sketch of a bike on the caseback. breitling.com