The Mille Miglia collection has been an important part of the Chopard range from its launch in 1998, and this year it has been extensively revamped. For the first time, Chopard in-house movements are used. There is a lot of red on the dials, providing a strong sense of family identity, along with the powerful 12 and 6 numerals. The 1000 Miglia logo is larger, and there is a new dial typeface based on Italian Second World War-type characters, reinforcing the link to the classic Italian car race.
The 43 mm case, thickness 11.43 mm, has a period character, provided by the short lugs, the black aluminium bezel insert and the dial details, all designed to make the watch look more like a dashboard instrument than a watch. The case is water-resistant to 100 metres. The petrol-gauge power reserve indicator is a brilliant touch, based on 1950s-style car instruments, while the date window is framed by the Mille Miglia red-arrow logo, a reference to the race numbers of cars competing in the Mille Miglia. The rubber strap looks just like a Dunlop tyre and reinforces the motor-racing aesthetic: a steel bracelet is also available but personally I think that the rubber version is tongue-in-cheek brilliant.
Chopard movement
The Calibre 01.08-C movement powering the Power Control was designed and developed at the brand’s Fleurier Ebauche factory. It provides 60 hours power reserve, and its accuracy has COSC certification, so that the word “Chronometer” appears on the dial. It runs at 28,800 vph (4 Hertz). The movement can be seen through the sapphire caseback framed by the inscriptions “Mille Miglia” and “Bresci > Roma > Brescia”.
Three versions
There are three versions of the Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control:
Reference 168566-3001, steel with rubber strap, price 5,900 Swiss francs / £4,290 / €5,540
Reference 161296-5001, rose gold with rubber strap, price 19,900 Swiss francs / £14,450 / €18,670
Reference 158566-3001, steel with steel bracelet, price 7,330 Swiss francs / £5,330 / €6,880
