The Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition revisits the full-black theme with a beadblasted, Diamond Like Carbon (DLC)-treated case, a matt black varnished dial and contrasting 'vintage yellow' markings. The combination adds up to a retro look that appears entirely at home at the steering wheel of a classic automobile, yet which works equally well for regular day or evening wear and is sure to appeal to younger enthusiasts becoming increasingly involved in events such as the 1000 Miglia.
Functionality meets legibility and comfort
Partly inspired by the satin black and 'gunmetal' finishes often seen on vintage cars, the DLC finish gives the 42-mm, beadblasted stainless steel case a highly attractive appearance that is also scratch-resistant and non-reflective. Comfort and a perfect fit are assured by the use of short strap lugs, while the practical nature of the timepiece is demonstrated by the extreme legibility resulting from the strong contrast between the matt black dial surface and the vintage yellow minute track and tachymeter scale.
These features make this timepiece ideal for the type of speed and distance calculations often called for during special rally stages. The Arabic numerals, also in vintage yellow, are filled with ultra-bright Super-LumiNova® enabling the watch to be more easily read in low-light conditions, while the counter subdials are clearly marked to show 60 seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours. A bold date window is located between the 4 and 5 o'clock positions, while a hint of red on the tip of the seconds hand – together with the subtle inclusion of the famous red 1000 Miglia direction arrow – are the indications on the dial side that this chronograph pays tribute to what Enzo Ferrari called 'the most beautiful race in the world.'
One watch, two versions
Two versions of the Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition will be available: an all-black model in a 1,000-piece limited series, plus a further run of 250 fitted with bezels made from contrasting beadblasted 18-carat ethical rose gold. Both of them are powered by a chronometer-certified mechanical movement with automatic winding enabling a comfortable 42-hour power reserve.
Turning the watch over reveals a sapphire crystal case-back bordered by the 1000 Miglia logo and the unique edition number of each piece while the perfect finishing touch is set by a black, perforated leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a rubber lining featuring Chopard's signature tread pattern based on that of a 1960s Dunlop racing tyre.
