Chopard

The 2015 edition of the legendary Mille Miglia race ended yesterday after its traditional loop-like road between Brescia and Rome. The finish of the race, which is dedicated for several decades to historic vehicles, gives me the opportunity to present the watch celebrating  the event of this year: the Chopard Mille Miglia 2015 Race Edition. Chopard has been a partner and the official timekeeper of the race since 1988 what gives the proof of the strategic importance for the brand of this long involvement. The Mille Miglia collection is indeed an essential component of the Chopard catalog  and this fact was emphasized and reaffirmed by the presentation of the GTS versions at Baselworld 2015. Actually, two of the three Mille Miglia GTS watches, the Automatic and the Power Control are powered by in-house movements coming from the Fleurier Ebauches workshops what displays a progression and an improvement of the watchmaking contents and the ambition around this collection.


Obviously, the watch of the race of this year is based on one of two watches which use the Fleurier Ebauches calibers to put the spotlight on a new movement and on a Baselworld novelty. The GTS Power Control was selected because the power reserve display, located on the left side of the dial, gives an additional opportunity, which was not possible with the GTS Automatic, to create a link with the world of historic vehicles.

The Mille Miglia 2015 Race Edition is available in two versions: one limited to 1000  pieces in stainless steel and one limited to 100 pieces in rose gold. My preference goes to the most affordable one because I find that the neutral color of the case matches better the red color of the dial. Indeed, if we forget the inscriptions on the bezel of the caseback, the big difference between the 2015 Race Edition and the Power Control of the permanent collection is the "Rosso Corsa" color of the dial  which evokes of course the color of the racing car bodies of the Italian national team. This red, at the same time vivid and bright, totally transforms the watch which instantaneously wins energy and extra punch in adopting this more radical style. Paradoxically, the secondary displays, the power reserve and date ones, become more discreet, blending into the dominant color.



I love the references to the classic cars universe like the big numerals, the way the power reserve indicator is displayed without forgetting the date window which is inserted into the logo of the event and which evokes the contestants numbers affixed on the vehicle doors. The finish of the dial is perfect, the color is perfectly balanced with a varnish effect and the relief effects brought by the numerals provide a qualitative touch. An element takes full advantage of this red color and becomes more clearly highlighted: it is the black aluminum bezel. It tempers the vividness of the dial and creates a link with the inclined black flange.

The 01.08-C movement that powers the 2015 Race Edition is visible through the transparent caseback. If it does not reach, far from it, the level of finish of a LUC movement, it is very pleasant to observe thanks to the shapes of the bridges adorned with snailed motif and the fluted decoration of the winding mass. Let's be clear, there is nothing spectacular and the purpose of such a movement is to be produced on a larger scale than the LUC ones. But for an industrial movement, its presentation remains acceptable. Its main asset can be found on its performances. It features a chronometer certificate issued by the COSC, a satisfactory power reserve of sixty hours and a 4hz frequency. It also has a stop-second.



The case of the 2015 Race Edition is relatively imposing with a diameter of 43mm. However, it is consistent with the context of the watch and thanks to its thickness of 11,43mm, it displays a rather slender style. The aesthetic work is neat as attested by the shape of the lugs and the discreet and elegant crown guard. Obviously, the combination of this size with the color of the dial makes the watch much more ostentatious than its alter-ego of the permanent collection. It is also less versatile and it explains a large part of its charm. It appears to be without any compromise what is a very positive point for me.



I felt a lot of pleasure when I put it on the wrist. We must consider this Race Edition 2015 as a watch dedicated to the weekend, to less formal activities as a quite daring sport-chic piece that manages to retain the usual elegance of the collection Mille Miglia despite its originality and colorful appearance. The racing type strap made of Black Barenia leather with black stitching and the folding clasp nicely complete a very positive evaluation of this watch which  underlines the ambition of  Chopard in this very busy segment. The legitimacy of the brand in the world of classic racing vehicles and the emergence of in-house movements available in a more affordable context than LUC watches are strong arguments to expect the commercial success of the Mille Miglia GTS and more specifically of this piece.

Thanks a lot to the staff of the Vendome Boutique for the warm welcome.

Pros:
+ the bright and bold color of the dial
+ the finishing of the dial
+ the performances of the 01.08-C movement
+ the chronometer certification

Cons:
- a somewhat verbose dial
- a less versatile watch than the GTS Power Control of the permanent collection ...  but it also explains its charm.

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