Hot Take: The New Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Limited Edition
Today, we’ll take a brief look at the latest model in the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph collection. Since 1988, Chopard has been involved with the Mille Miglia event. This newest piece, however, moves away from Italy to celebrate another automotive event. The French Limited Edition will be shown at Salon Rétromobile in Paris and available in France.
My earliest experience with a Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph comes from roughly 20 years ago. I was visiting a supplier near Berlin in the summer and met the company for dinner at my hotel. My contacts brought their CEO, who had just signed on after retiring from a German automaker as a senior executive. He had done well, and I commented on his gold Mille Miglia. He remarked that it was a special edition offered to those who drove in the event. His car? Well, it was a Porsche 550 RS Spyder. Thankfully, buying today’s new French Limited Edition won’t require owning and driving a seven-figure classic car. That’s a good thing because this is a sweet-looking piece.
The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Limited Edition
The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Limited Edition will be available in an edition of 100 pieces. Chopard will launch the watch at the Salon Rétromobile in Paris, which runs from January 31st through February 4th. This chronograph comes solely in Lucent (80% recycled) stainless steel and measures 40.5mm wide by 48.17mm long and 12.8mm thick. Inside, it, we find a blue tachymeter track, a silvery-white dial, and red details that pay tribute to the French flag. A box-type sapphire crystal with an antireflective coating provides the view, and a navy calfskin rally strap and steel pin buckle keep the watch on the wrist.
As far as the movement, a chronometer-certified 4Hz ETA A322-11 is on display via the screw-affixed case back. This caliber provides a power reserve of approximately 54 hours, a quick-set date, a 30-minute counter, and a 12-hour totalizer. In terms of water resistance, the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph is safe down to 50 meters. Chopard has done a nice job with the pushers and the crown. They have an automotive theme, but the execution is far more subtle than older models. The pushers remind us of brake pedals, while the ridged crown bears an embossed steering wheel.
Thoughts and availability
Overall, the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Limited Edition is a sweet-looking chronograph. I like the fact that Chopard has toned this watch down versus prior versions and has opted for a more classic look. I’m also a fan of the understated Mille Miglia logo. Finally, this is a watch that shouldn’t make interested fans feel as if they need to own a classic car to purchase this watch. Unfortunately, though, one will need to travel to France to purchase one of these models. If a trip is in the works, make sure to bring €10,400 for a chance at one of these individually numbered pieces.
For more information on the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Limited Edition, visit the official Chopard site.
