A black and white ‘La Gara’ dial, timeless symbol of the competitive spirit
Chopard’s Mille Miglia collection welcomes a new design for the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph model. Its 40.5 mm case in Chopard’s exclusive Lucent Steel™, made with a recycling rate of at least 80%, frames a dial inspired by the black and white chequered flag marking the arrival of a motor-race winner.
Symbolising the competitive spirit, this dial is called ‘La Gara’, the Italian word for race. It is topped by a superb ‘glass box’ crystal ensuring optimal opening onto the dial and hence maximum legibility. Competitive spirit and sense of camaraderie; energy and dynamism; speed and style: such are the attributes epitomising Italy’s celebrated 1000 Miglia Italian classic car race that Chopard has been annually expressing for the past 36 years through the watches of the Mille Miglia collection.
Watches and cars: marvels of engineering
Like a timepiece, a vehicle is a marvel of engineering, as all devotees of watchmaking and automobiles know – and Chopard even more so, since the Maison has been inextricably linked with the automobile world since it became world sponsor and official timekeeper for Italy’s celebrated 1000 Miglia way back in 1988.
Reflecting his family’s passion for classic car races, the Maison’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has personally taken part in the 1000 Miglia every year since, covering more than 30,000 miles since 1989.
The partnership – one of the longest in history between a watchmaker and a motorsports event – has now seen the creation of 36 watch editions in the Mille Miglia collection, all capturing the essence and spirit of what Enzo Ferrari called ‘the most beautiful race in the world’.
Renewing the automobile passion, competitive spirit and emotions of the 1000 Miglia with each new edition, the Maison’s designers have constantly pushed the limits of their creativity. With the new Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph model, they are now drawing inspiration from the wealth of details linked to motor-racing symbols.
Dynamic, luminous and comfortable
The meticulous construction and finishing of this 40.5 mm case are distinguished by harmonious shapes and volumes aligned with the aesthetic of the historical cars competing in the 1000 Miglia. These well-mastered proportions ensure the watch is not intrusive when driving, while looking just as good with evening wear as it does with a race suit.
Made from Lucent Steel™, this beautiful ‘bodywork’ features all the characteristics associated with Chopard’s exclusive alloy that took a full four years to develop. Named after its luminous, gently reflective appearance that gives it an almost incandescent shimmer, Lucent Steel™ is not only of surgical quality and naturally anti-allergenic – ensuring it is dermo-compatible and pleasant to wear – as well as 50% harder than conventional steel – making it more than capable of handling the knocks, bumps and scrapes of competitive driving. Lucent Steel™ is also REACH-certified as being responsibly made with a recycling rate of at least 80%.
The bezels, crowns and pushers are in this same material with contrasting polished and satin-brushed finishes. Moreover, the pushers are knurled to create a motif recalling brake pedals, while the notched crown guarantees optimal grip. On either end of the case, the lugs are welded – a token of fine craftsmanship sure to be appreciated by devotees of meticulous watchmaking. Finally, the pin buckle has been redesigned compared with previous models, picking up the play on polished/satin-brushed finishes featured on the case.
A ‘La Gara’ dial inspired by a symbol of motor-racing victory and offering perfect readability appreciated by athletes
Preserving strong cues from the automotive world, and inspired by race cars, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele envisioned a two-tone dial with a circular satin-finish silver-toned base, punctuated by snailed black counters. Named ‘La Gara’ (the Italian word for ‘the race’ or ‘the competition’), this dial picks up the colours of the chequered flag waved at the end of a motor race to salute the first car crossing the finishing line. The three black counters, as well as the shape of the hands and Arabic numerals are also nods to the characteristic design of collector’s car dashboards.
The white minutes track and tachymeter scale – essential elements in making speed and distance calculations – are both prominent, while the dial markings along with the hours and minutes hands are coated with white Grade XI Super-Luminova® to ensure a high degree of legibility.
The central sweep-seconds hand is red-tipped both for practical and aesthetic purposes – as well as to complement the famous red ‘1000 Miglia’ logo applied to each dial.
A true exercise in ‘practical beauty’, the dial is protected by a deep, glass-box sapphire crystal secured by a slim bezel. Watch glasses of this type procure an obvious aesthetic advantage by giving the dial a sense of perspective. They serve to maximise the depth of the dial opening, as light pours in from above as well as from the sides, creating exquisite shimmering effects.
A watch ‘engine’ with certified precision
The back of the watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal affording a view of the self-winding chronograph movement certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute and endowed with a 54-hour power reserve.
A competitive driver himself, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele recognises the importance of being equipped with an accurate chronograph while taking part in events such as the 1000 Miglia, where a few fractions of a second can mean the difference between success or failure in a timed stage.
During the heat of competition, racers will appreciate the 4 Hz frequency of the movement, the stop-second function, a tachymeter scale as well as the layout of the three 12-hour, 30-minute and small seconds subdials.
This model is clearly intended for drivers seeking to surpass themselves – much in the spirit of the Maison’s legendary ambassadors Jacky Ickx and Romain Dumas.
A strap inspired by the automotive world
The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph model featuring a La Gara dial is teamed with a perforated black calfskin strap evoking traditional driving gloves and matching the dial counters. Enhanced with ecru bridle stitching, it is secured by a Lucent SteelTM pin buckle.
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