Chopard Mille Miglia 2018 Race Edition “30 Anni di Passione”

Thirty years of a tireless passion for the “corsa la più bella del mondo”. To celebrate this important landmark, Chopard has created a special limited, numbered and COSC-certified Mille Miglia 2018 Race Edition. A 42 mm timepiece forged from a blend of passion, style and precision is taking to the road this year. Be ready at the starting line however, as only 100 of them will emerge from the Chopard watchmaking workshops in 18-carat rose gold and steel.

It all began in 1988 when Chopard became partner and official timekeeper of the famous Mille Miglia classic car rally. This lasting union was born from the personal passion of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard co-president and a keen collector’s car driver. He played a trailblazing role in the watch industry by choosing to associate the world of classic racing with prestigious watchmaking. This now inseparable bond of love between fine mechanics and sporting performance proved the starting point for the much sought-after Mille Miglia watch collection. The latter is distinguished by its virile, sporty models featuring high-precision mechanics with a chic exterior embodying the spirit of the legendary Italian competition dubbed the “world’s most beautiful race” by Enzo Ferrari. Each spring, the prestigious endurance rally sees more than 400 teams compete on a splendid thousand-mile (1,600 km) route running from Brescia to Rome and back. For 30 years, at the very heart of the race, Chopard has presented a limited series inspired by these legendary speed machines. This year, gentlemen drivers and aficionados will discover the Mille Miglia 2018 Race Edition which celebrates this anniversary in suitably Italian style.

At the wheel of one's Porsche 550 Spyder RS, one does not negotiate with the road. A sharp turn of the wheel, sophisticated braking… the finely tuned speed machine tolerates no compromises. The same goes for the layout of this 42 mm-diameter chronograph that must enable the driver to keep track of time with one eye on the peripheral tachymeter scale, while the other looks out for any pitfalls the road may bring. This paragon of ergonomics highlights the three dashboard-inspired counters and their graduations displaying seconds, minutes and hours. More than just an instrument, the Mille Miglia 2018 Race Edition is an integral part of the controls for gentlemen drivers. Water-resistant to 50 metres, the Mille Miglia 2018 Race Edition is able to handle pelting rain at the wheel, then slide neatly under a jacket when it’s time for cocktails, seamlessly matching the more formal attire without losing an ounce of its character. The strap with its short lugs is particularly suitable, with the perforated red-lined leather on top evoking vintage racing driver bucket seats and the legendary Dunlop racing tyre tread below providing the perfect grip. The analogies continue with a notched crown resembling a petrol-tank cap and pushers shaped like engine pistons.

The Mille Miglia 2018 Race Edition is a true everyday team-mate, a stylish watch that will doubtless be adopted by gentlemen drivers of all generations.