Chopard is known for both their lovely dress watches (aka the L.U.C line) and their racing chronographs. While most of the models within the Superfast, GPMH, and Mille Miglia lines are quite modern, there are exceptions like the Mille Miglia 2014 Race Edition. With a classic vibe and a comparatively smaller case size, these limited edition versions of the Mille Miglia Chronographs offer a look and feel that is perfect for the classic car race after which they are named.
The Mille Miglia (Italian for “thousand miles”) was a road race held in northern Italy that ran some 24 times between 1927 to 1957. Covering a route from Brescia to Rome and back, the Mille Miglia was a road rally where GT cars were driven very quickly on public roads. As you can imagine, as the average speeds grew higher with advances in technology and the increasing skill level of drivers, accidents became an issue. The original Mille Miglia was discontinued in 1957 after two crashes claimed a total of 12 lives, nine of which were spectators.
Today, the Mille Miglia is a classic and vintage car event that runs as a regularity race, where teams must follow extremely precise goals for time and average speed. Still held on public roads, the regularity race format makes for a much safer and road-legal event. Using a classic Porsche 550 Spyder, Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has run the modern Mille Miglia with none of than “Monsieur Le Mans” (and Chopard ambassador) Jacky Ickx. Chopard’s participation at Mille Miglia also includes being the official timekeeper since 1988 (you can read more about Chopard and Motorsports here).
Back to the watches, the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Editions, which come in steel or 18k rose gold, have 42 mm cases and are 12.3 mm thick. Chopard has fitted sapphire crystals front and back and both versions come with an off-white dial and a really sharp matte brown leather strap with case-matched buckle.
While I would say that the Chopard Mill Miglia 2014 Race Editions are classic in their appeal, in person neither feels especially vintage-inspired. They both give the impression of a new sport watch with a dial that is reminiscent of instruments found in classic cars. Legibility on both models is very good and you get a dash of color with a red tachymeter scale and a sublte green tone used for the minute scale. The only weakness to speak of is the somewhat plain date implementation at 4:30. Given the movement inside is a Chopard-prepped ETA 2894-2, the date could have been placed at 6 for a more balanced layout (or omitted all together).
The ETA 2894-2 is a modular chronograph movement based on the 2892, hence the 12.3 mm thickness. With automatic winding, 37 jewels and a power reserve of 38 hours, the 2894-2 can usually be spotted because it places the small seconds display at 3 o’clock rather than at 9 (common for most of its competition). Providing your watch can handle the thickness, the 2894-2 is a solid choice for a third party auto chronograph movement and is also used by Tag Heuer as the Calibre 17.
On wrist, I found the Chopard Mille Miglia 2014 Race Editions to be really attractive, easily one of my favorite watches from Chopard. The gold has a sort of stately appeal while the steel feels quite muted and offers enhanced legibility thanks to the darker tone of the handset. “Mille Miglia” branding is thankfully reserved, with just a simple but cool logo in the running seconds register.
The 42 mm sizing feels just right, and while I wouldn’t call them slim, the 2014 Race Editions are an acceptable thickness for a sport watch. The steel version is limited to 2014 units with a competitive list price of $5520 USD and the gold version is limited to just 250 units and will sell for $19,110. As always, you’re playing in the majors when you buy a gold watch, but the steel example is actually less than $500 more than a base steel Mille Miglia chronograph. Regardless of the model, this has always been a line up that I really liked, and I think the 2014 Race Editions are a solid addition to the range. chopard.com
