Chopard Mille Miglia 2013 GMT Chronograph

Kong · 2013-04-25T04:41:35Z

Explore the Chopard Mille Miglia 2013 GMT chronograph, celebrating 25 years of partnership with the iconic race. Discover its redesigned ergonomics, enhanced readability, and deep automotive heritage.

Kong

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Kong introduces the Chopard Mille Miglia 2013, a GMT chronograph redesigned to honor the 25th anniversary of Chopard's partnership with 'la corsa più belle del mondo.' This article delves into the watch's ergonomic enhancements, functional readability, and deep connection to the historic motor race, reflecting Chopard's enduring commitment to automotive sports.

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For the past 25 years, Chopard has faithfully partnered the Mille Miglia race. This constancy testifies to the close ties between the Geneva-based House and the world of motor sports. The entirely redesigned GMT chronograph celebrating the 2013 edition of “la corsa più belle del mondo” is a nod to the design of historical racing cars. Ergonomic, functional and sophisticated, the Mille Miglia 2013 is a limited edition that has racing in its genes and in its gear trains.

For Chopard, the Mille Miglia is a family adventure. Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is a collector of historical cars and a keen competitor in classic rallies. He enlists his own vehicles in this legendary race and drives them himself, alternatively accompanied by his wife or his good friend Jacky Ickx as co-driver. His father, Karl Scheufele III, Honorary President of Chopard, also regularly takes part in the competition. This personal connection between the brand and one of the most well-known historical car races in the world dates back to 1988. It was then that Chopard became a partner of the event, a role it has maintained ever since and to which it has since become that of official timekeeper. From May 16th to 19th 2013 and for the 25th consecutive time, Chopard will be present in and around what the organisers proudly name “the most beautiful race in the world”.

A chronograph for the race
Raced from 1927 to 1961 as a speed trial on open roads, the Mille Miglia has now become a rally. There is no longer any question of racing to and fro across Northern Italy in less than 20 hours. Instead, the event lasts three days. Nonetheless, it is not just a joy ride. The racing is competitive, the route is sinuous and the cars are every bit as powerful and capricious as one expects from such proud historical models. Only cars having taken part in the original race formula are entitled to compete. The teams can rely only on their driving skills, the indications provided in their road-book, as well as their time measuring instrument. The Mille Miglia 2013 chronograph is designed to play a key role in the race, in the same way as a car engine or a suspension system, and definitely not merely a walk-on part.

Optimal ergonomics and concern for detail
In terms of substance, this Mille Miglia 2013 is a self-winding chronograph featuring a 24-hour dual-time indication and a date display. In formal terms, it is a tribute to motor sports in general and to the race itself. Now entirely redesigned, it also testifies to the extreme concern for detail that Chopard displays in each of its timepieces. The 42.8 mm-diameter case of the Mille Miglia 2013 is topped by a generous 44 mm bezel, an ingenious association that preserves the imposing presence of the watch while making it a more comfortable fit on even the slimmest wrists. This quest for optimal ergonomics had also led to revamping the lugs that are now short and tapering so as to secure the watch more firmly to the wrist. The mushroom-shaped chronograph pushers enable smooth handling thanks to the nonslip knurled grid pattern on their surface ensuring a firm grip. Finally, the rubber strap with the 1960’s Dunlop racing-tyre motif is integrated with the case for a more flowing look and feel.

Optimal readability
The dial of the Mille Miglia 2013 chronograph focuses on readability. The red sweep seconds hand is tipped with white to make it stand out. The light grey chronograph counters make a striking contrast with the rest of the anthracite grey dial. They provide a second level of functional read-off, detached from the rest of the dial and its information. The tachometric scale appears on the bezel, while the dual-time reading is positioned on the dial between the hour-markers. Another distinctive feature is the date that is now shown in the red arrow that has become the race logo, inherited from the signposts that enabled competitors to find their way from Brescia to Rome and back. This shape is also echoed on the hour-markers, which, along with the hands are enhanced with Superluminova to ensure the watch can be read at night inside a classic Maserati or Porsche.

The colour symbolising Italy’s passion for automobiles is the chromatic theme of the Mille Miglia 2013 chronograph. This vibrant red shade frames the inner bezel ring, surrounds the counters and adorns the chronograph hands. The inimitable colour of racing, of adrenalin and of Italian gentlemen drivers, it sums up the warmth and depth of the close ties binding Chopard to the world of motor sports.

Technical details

Case
· Steel or 18-carat rose gold
· Total diameter      44.00 mm
· Thickness      13.70 mm
· Water resistance 100 metres
· Crown in steel or 18-carat rose gold with steering-wheel logo
· Steel or 18-carar rose gold pushers with knurled grid motif
· Glareproofed sapphire crystal
· Solid case-back in steel or 18-carat rose gold with 1000 Miglia arrow logo

Movement
· Mechanical self-winding chronograph
· Total diameter       30.40 mm
· Number of jewels 25
· Power reserve    46 hours
· Frequency    28,800 vph (4Hz)
· Chronometer-certified (COSC)

Dial and hands
· Anthracite dial with three silver-toned snailed hollowed counters at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock
· Hour and minute hands as well as hour-markers rhodium-plated for the steel version and gold-plated for the 18-carat rose gold version – in both instances enhanced with Superluminova
· Black GMT hand with rhodium-plated or gold-plated Superluminova-enhanced arrow
· Red sweep seconds hand with white tip
· Red counter hands

Functions and displays
· Central display of the hours and minutes
· Small seconds at 9 o’clock
· Central dual-time display
· Chronograph
· 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and central sweep seconds hand
· Date window at 3 o’clock
· Tachometric scale

Strap and buckle
· Integrated strap in natural black rubber (1960s Dunlop racing-tyre tread motif)
· Folding clasp in steel or 18-carat rose gold

Ref. 168555-3001 – 2013-piece limited edition in steel
Ref. 161292-5001 – 250-piece limited edition in rose gold

Press Release

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-04-25 14:26:02

About the Chopard Chopard Vintage Ref. 1000Miglia

The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph reference 168619-3012 is a limited edition variant issued to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Sir Stirling Moss's 1955 victory at the 1000 Miglia race. This specific edition is distinguished by its production run of 70 pieces, directly referencing the anniversary year. It builds upon the established design language of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph series, offering a commemorative execution within that collection.

The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 42mm in diameter, housing an automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. The dial is black, protected by a sapphire crystal. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters. The chronograph complication is central to its function, complemented by a date display.

This limited edition appeals to collectors interested in commemorative pieces and those who appreciate the historical context of the Mille Miglia event. Its restricted availability and specific historical tribute make it a distinct offering within the broader Chopard Mille Miglia collection, providing a unique point of interest for enthusiasts of the series.

Specifications

Caliber: ETA A07.211 (Chopard 03.05-C)

Case: Stainless Steel

Diameter: 42mm

Dial: Black

Water Resist.: 50m

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

The 2013 Chopard Mille Miglia features a redesigned aesthetic, with larger dials and sub-counters enhancing legibility, a practical benefit for older enthusiasts.
Chopard's design innovation includes off-center sub-dials to improve readability and differentiate chronograph timers from the running seconds subdial, along with a red line on the rehaut bezel that visually 'pops' and echoes motor tachometers.
While the watch is perceived as somewhat large and thick in photos, its true appearance and legibility are noted to be better in person, with the red line detail standing out.
The watch's size raises concerns for collectors with smaller wrists, though it is anticipated to be popular at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Some find the 2013 model a bit too bulky and busy, despite appreciating details like the pushers and the Dunlop racing-tyre motif strap, which maintains a link to past Mille Miglia watches.

The Discussion

amanico

Apr 25, 2013

To be honest, i regret the versions I saw in the 90ies.

I find these ones a bit too bulky and busy. With some nice details, though, such as the pushers, and the strap, which is the link with the Mille Miglias of the past. Best, Nicolas

Kong

Apr 25, 2013

Are you saying ...

you prefer the older models as compare to these new editions, Vlad? kong

MTF

Apr 26, 2013

Have a look at a real watch rather than photo

Nico, I've seen these watches and in real 'live', they look better from the point of view of legibility and the red line "popping" out in a most un-Chopard fashion. Regards, Melvyn

amanico

Apr 26, 2013

I will, Melvyn, I will. And will keep you updated, once I have seen them.

patrick_y

Apr 25, 2013

Looks good.

Looks good. A little big and thick, in the photos. Definitely more of a big statement watch. May be a bit big for my tiny wrists. Well, everything is a bit big for my small wrists, but there are watches that are big that are pulled off (most Panerais, even 47MM ones are able to be pulled off), but there are some that just don't work. Looking forward to seeing it in person. No doubt, this will become a popular watch at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (where I see a lot of Mille Miglia Chopar

MTF

Apr 26, 2013

Chopard have changed their aesthetic this year

I was a little surprised that the 2013 Chopard Mille Miglia look different from previous years. We have to face the fact that sports watches are bigger than the wimpy times of 1950s - 1970s. As we get older, we can appreciate the larger dials and sub-counters for good legibility. Chopard take it further by moving the sub-dials off-centre for better reading and also differentiate the chronogrph timers from the running seconds subdial. The red line on the rehaut bezel both make the visuals 'pop' a

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Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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