This year, the Mille Miglia celebrated its 90th anniversary. As a historical partner of the "most beautiful race in the world", Chopard is celebrating the event with a 90-piece limited edition watch: the Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition. This chronograph with a pink gold case, a blend of sportiness and elegance, pays tribute to the spirit of this prestigious vintage race with a 90-year tradition behind it. Its unmistakable presence on the wrist, its L.U.C chronograph movement and its numerous details make it the most prestigious Mille Miglia watch ever launched by Chopard. Inaugurated in 1927, the Mille Miglia has over the years become the classic automobile race par excellence, the most prestigious and the most coveted of all. At first it was a speed test in which some of the greatest drivers in history distinguished themselves, then the Mille Miglia was transformed into a regularity race, while retaining its 1,000-mile (equal to 1,600 km) route from Brescia to Rome and back. Drivers appreciate the unique spirit of passion that has always reigned over the race, with its bright colours, the chrome elements of the cars and the enchanting roar of the engines. The track traverses breathtaking landscapes and the race has earned the affection of the Italians who flock to the side of the road to rediscover these legendary beasts launched at full speed. This gathering of 'gentleman drivers' is a unique event in which Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard and racing car driver and collector, participates personally. From this passion, the partnership between Chopard and the Mille Miglia was born in 1988 and, since then, the race and the Geneva-based Maison have built a deep bond. This shared love of quality mechanics and sporting performance has inspired a collection of highly sought-after timepieces. With their unique design and precision mechanics, the Mille Miglia watches embody the spirit of the legendary Italian race, at the crossroads of elegance and performance. The race, known by the name given to it by Enzo Ferrari as the "most beautiful race in the world", sees 430 crews compete. In 2017, Chopard celebrates 90 years of the Mille Miglia and presents the Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition, a watch designed as an authentic instrument of style, synonymous with Dolce Vita and Italian-style prestige. The elegance of the Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary is reminiscent of that of the greatest automobile legends who have taken part in the race. The silhouette of a Ferrari 250 GTO, the taut lines of an Alfa Romeo 6C, the sensuality of an Aston Martin, the quality of manufacture of a Porsche 550 RS, all the ingredients of style, class and masculine luxury are brought together in this sporty and elegant chronograph. The vintage leather strap benefits from a special ageing treatment whose effect, as it patinas over time, is reminiscent of the bonnet straps that closed the engines of the finest vintage cars. This homage goes far beyond mere inspiration. The Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition, in fact, is the most exclusive watch in the collection of the same name, with its large pink gold case 46 mm in diameter and 13 mm thick, perfectly proportioned. The delicacy of the polished bezel and the precision of the masculine curves demonstrate the extreme attention to detail. These extend into the short, curved lugs that fit wrists of all sizes. The piston-inspired chronograph pushers are the vintage detail that could not be missed, as is the large knurled crown reminiscent of petrol caps and allowing a better grip even when wearing leather pilot's gloves. The white dial, interrupted by Arabic numerals and blued counters like those on the dashboards of vintage cars, is surrounded by the tachymeter scale, which plays a fundamental role in the pilot's activity. At all times, it provides the actual speed and average speed, vital information in regularity races. The legend of great classic cars is not based solely on their external beauty, but is first and foremost a question of mechanics. Chopard fits into this logic and has equipped the Mille Miglia Classic XL 90th Anniversary Limited Edition with Calibre L.U.C 03.07-L. This hand-wound chronograph movement with flyback function, or return to flight, entirely designed, engineered and produced in Chopard's workshops, is characteristic of L.U.C watches, Chopard's Haute Horlogerie collection, and has been borrowed specifically for this celebratory model. The calibre features highly refined finishing and is made of nickel silver, an ideal alloy for precision machining and a perfect base for anglage work. The deep parts of the movement are pearlised and gilded while the upper parts, which animate the chronograph, are steel or rhodium-plated. This play of colours is reminiscent of the most beautiful racing car engines, which also contain mechanical treasures. The architecture and shapes of the movement respond to functional and aesthetic rules, like the lines of a car body. Calibre L.U.C 03.07-L obeys the laws of precision Haute Horlogerie and its canons of beauty. For example, the highest level of finishing that Chopard masters to perfection. For the first time, in fact, a Mille Miglia watch bears the Hallmark of Geneva, a further guarantee of decidedly high quality.
