Watches inspired by motorsports are in no short supply. But there are some watch brands that dedicate themselves more to the sport than others. One such brand is Chopard. While often overlooked in its price bracket, Chopard has a large catalog of racing-themed watches with a long history of sporting involvement to back them up. Further bolstering that lineup with a new piece dedicated to the Mille Miglia race from Brescia to Rome, as well as car designer Andrea Zagato, Chopard has released the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato 100th Anniversary (that’s a mouthful) — a striking red chronograph limited to 100 pieces.
Specifications
Brand: Chopard
Model: Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato 100th Anniversary
Dimensions: 42mm in diameter, 12.67mm-thick
Water Resistance: 50 meters
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Crystal/Lens: Sapphire
Movement: Automatic chronograph movement (not specified)
Frequency: 28,800 bph
Power Reserve: 42 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Black calfskin strap
Price & Availability: Price TBD, limited to 100 pieces at Chopard boutiques
The Story Behind the Partnership
Chopard and the Mille Miglia go way back. Karl Fridrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, spent 31 years partnered with the Mille Miglia and was a large fan of motorsports, as a whole. The other part of this new watch’s namesake, Zagato, is named for Andrea Zagato. Andrea Zagato is a member of a long line of car designers and currently the last independent car designer known for designs such as Porsche, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and more. These two men — Zagato and Scheufele — met at the Mille Miglia, and the competition between the two of them helped to foster what would become a solid friendship.
This Mille Miglia Zagato chronograph is designed to honor both groups and the race itself through its design. The watch features a 42mm steel case, with a clean and simple overall case design. The lacquered red dial pays tribute to the color that was particularly liked by Zagato, and the Z — prominently featured near the 12 marker as well as repeating over and over again in the background — obviously pays tribute to its namesake as well. To go along with its vintage style, Chopard has chosen to pair this watch with a black leather bund strap, which I think suits this watch very well. Powering the watch is an unspecified automatic chronograph movement with 37 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800vph.
Chopard’s lineup is known for its use of bright colors and often esoteric designs. I don’t think this Zagato-inspired chronograph is any different. The patterned red dial paired with the always-controversial bund strap is certainly not going to appeal to everyone, but it will find favor with some. While this isn’t something I’m going to pick up for myself, I have a lot of respect for Chopard. Crucially, the brand never strives to be just another Daytona look-a-like. Chopard’s designs have a distinct language, and I admire their dedication to motorsports and the heritage of the brand.
Conclusion
Given that this Chopard Mille Miglia Zagato edition chronograph is limited to only 100 pieces, I don’t think Chopard is going to have any difficulty finding a fanbase for this model. The Mille Miglia is a famous race with a lot of history behind it, and I imagine there are quite a few folks out there who think of the race as fondly as Chopard does. Who knows? Maybe they’d actually wear this watch behind the wheel, speeding through the Italian countryside. Pricing for this model has yet to be announced; however, the 100 pieces of the L.U.C. Mille Miglia Chronograph Zagato 100th anniversary will be available exclusively through Chopard boutiques and corners. Learn more at chopard.com.
