It is now a tradition that has been repeated for several years: thanks to Chopard and the team of the boutique located via del Babuino, the Mille Miglia Race Edition of the year accompanies me during my summer Roman stay. I always found that a Mille Miglia was an ideal watch to visit the Eternal City: versatile and robust, it is particularly well adapted to the constraints (if I may put it that way) of such a stay thanks to the rubber strap to face the ambient heat and by giving me the ability to plunge the hands into the water of the fountains without fear considering its water resistance. And I don't forget that the Mille Miglia event spends one night in Rome before beginning its ascent to Brescia, so the homage to the famous race becomes obvious!



The great asset of the Mille Miglia Race Edition is that the model of the year is distinct from those of previous years. Obviously, a certain aesthetic coherence remains: the watch is supposed to celebrate the prestigious classic cars race and it must retranscribe this atmosphere which can be defined as so typically "gentleman driver". Thus, I had no risk of feeling weariness or boredom during my last visit: the 2017 edition (limited to 1,000 pieces in stainless steel and 100 with a two tone case) contrasts sharply with the  2016 version  and even more with the 2015 one! On the other hand, I find a certain proximity with the Race Edition 2013 but Chopard made sure not to offer a clone.

Last year's edition was characterized by its voluminous case (46mm), its slightly vintage style and its exclusive chronograph caliber from Fleurier Ebauches, the entity that makes movements and belonging to Chopard. The 2017 edition is again a chronograph, its case is still imposing (44mm) but the common points stop here. The main difference is related to the movement that powers the watch. The exclusive caliber leaves its place to the valiant Valjoux 7750 and although the latter is a reliable movement, I still regret this step back compared to the ambition displayed last year.



The reason for using this movement is surely linked to the desire to find again  the spirit of the Race Edition 2013, one of the most successful versions of this series of watches. And it must be admitted, from the aesthetic point of view, the Race Edition 2017 is convincing. Indeed, I feel it totally imbued with the atmosphere of the race ... more than the watch of last year to be honest. At first glance, it appears to be very masculine, not to say powerful: its size, the prominent mushroom pushers, the slight touches of red, the crown protector, all these elements give a lot of character. But I quickly appreciated the multitude of details that make the watch more subtle and more consistent with its context: the steering wheel engraved on the crown, the peripheral tachymeter scale, the ribbed surface on the pushers without forgetting of course the logo of the race that surrounds the date window.

However, the highlight of the Race Edition of 2017 is its silver dial with a "bouchonné" finish. The rendering is not unusual or incongruous for a watch because it reminds the perlage of a movement. But for a Chopard Mille Miglia, it takes on a whole different meaning since it evokes the dashboards of the old racing cars. The three sub-dials are clearly distinguished  thanks to their different visual rendering. I really liked this dial featuring beautiful reflections and whose finish was more or less perceptible depending on the light conditions.

Chopard had the good idea to put a solid caseback decorated with the race logo and a reminder of the 90th anniversary celebration. I prefer this solution which emphasizes the context of the race and which in the end is more rewarding (at least for me) than the view on the Valjoux 7750 movement. However, from a commercial point of view, a solid caseback is always more risky because the customers generally like to see the movement of a mechanical watch.



Thus, the Mille Miglia Race Edition 2017  accompanied me throughout my stay and behaved impeccably. I appreciated its comfort, achieved through the folding clasp that holds the watch, yet voluminous, on the wrist. The rubber strap inspired by the Dunlop Racing tire pattern is also nice but I would have liked it to be less smooth (with tiny pins for example as some do) in contact with the skin so that the latter breathes better, especially when there are strong heats! For its part, the movement was faithful to its image: its winding efficiency  is excellent, the rotation of the oscillating mass is still felt and the pushers are a little too stiff. Its performances are the usual ones (a power reserve of 48 hours for a 4hz frequency ) and it generates a lot of trust given its reliability, its wide availability and in this precise case, the chronometer certification. The readability of the data is optimal, the luminescent hands and indexes being clearly detached from the dial background, even in direct sunlight.


So I experienced a lot of pleasure by wearing the Mille Miglia Race Edition 2017. The feelings it gives are different from those of the last year version. The watchmaking content is behind the 2016 one and the movement is no longer visible. But I liked its design, its overall consistency and its robust side which is always welcome during holidays! So, even if I didn't drive any car (nor any scooter!), It seemed to me ideal to face the obstacles of the famous  Mille Miglia race with a casual chic style which is perfect in this context.

I took the following pictures by walking in the most famous places of Rome and I suggest you follow me on this stroll.

The unmissable Piazza di Spagna:




From the Vittoriano with a view on the Marcellus Theater. You will notice how the dial rendering changes according to the light conditions:




The Roman fountains make me able to test the  100 meter waterproofness of the watch!




The Palazzo Zuccari and its fascinating facade:




From the terrace of my hotel:




The most famous fountain in Rome, the Fontana di Trevi:




The different bridges of Rome offer beautiful perspectives for ideal pictures:




I crossed the border and here I am in the Vatican:




The view from the Pincio is one of the most beautiful of Rome:




The night falls but the legibility remains optimal:




I met a famous character as always at the Bartolucci shop:




The watch proved to be comfortable in all circumstances, including during a cocktail at the Hotel de Russie:




Next to the Fontana della Barcaccia:




Another Roman celebrity, the pizza Da Baffetto!




The Monachella of the Tazza d'Oro:




Sunset on the Sisto Bridge:




The visit of the Forum remains a must in Rome:




Like every year, it is with a twinge in my heart that I left Rome but with the hope of coming back next year to take advantage of the Chopard Mille Miglia Race Edition 2018 which will be, I am sure, very different from this year's model!

I would like to thank the team of the Chopard boutique in Rome.

Pros:
+ a consistent design with the spirit of the race
+ the finish of the dial
+ a robust and pleasant watch to wear
+ the legibility
+ the chronometer certification

Cons:
- the watchmaking content is behind the Race Edition 2016 one
- the rubber strap could be less smooth in contact with the skin to prevent excessive sweating


Fr.Xavier