This is an overview of the new CHOPARD Mille Miglia Gents / Men watches shown at Baselworld 2015.
It highlights the evolution of the Chopard Classic Racing Line. Chopard has fulfilled the wishes, requests, nay - demands - that aficionados and collectors have made for years by bringing them all to fruition in 2015. Chopard prowess in mechanical watchmaking and jewellery arts is well established but fans have been asking for finer details like:
Elegant smaller case diameters,
Improved dial designs,
Slimmer bridges,
Grand feu enamel,
Mechanical ladies' watches,
And more in-house mechanical movements across the Chopard range.
That last item on the wish-list is the focus of the new Mille Miglia GTS Collection
Automatic, Power Control and Chronograph
Since its launch in 1988, Mille Miglia watches have become a flagship collection for Chopard.
In 2015, Chopard introduces an evolution of this grand classic with the Mille Miglia GTS (Grand Turismo Sport) Collection.
This new collection, composed of a three-hand and date chronometer, a power reserve watch and a chronograph, sees the introduction of two in-house Chopard Mille Miglia movements.
This was meant to be a "rest" year between the 'special' CHOPARD anniversaries in 2014 and 2016 but Baselworld 2015 has proven to be richer than expected for novelties. "CHOPARD exceeds Expectations in 2015".
We will go into detail about individual watch models before the production watches hit the retail boutiques later in 2015.
For now, we will discuss why it has been a good year for CHOPARD novelties...so far. There are a few more surprises coming in the next 18 months!
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MILLE MIGLIA GTS 3-MODEL COLLECTION
The new collection is composed of a three-hand chronometer with date display, a chronograph and a power-reserve model.
These three models are inspired by the classic cars that took part in the race between 1940 and 1957; an era of masculine curves and bravado.
Their steel cases – featuring a 43 mm diameter for the Automatic and Power Control versions and 44 mm for the Chrono version – are fitted with short, pointed lugs that are ergonomically tapered to ensure optimal comfort on the wrist, while their sporting nature is emphasised by facetted hands.
The sleek, sophisticated design of these new creations rejuvenates the Classic Racing spirit embodied by the Mille Miglia collection, while remaining true to the identity codes of the past 25 years.
Chopard has been official timekeeper of “la corsa più bella del mondo”; the Mille Miglia race (Brescia to Rome and back) since 1988.
The 3 steel models equipped with rubber straps but also available with steel bracelets.
The 3 rose gold models currently are equipped with rubber straps.
For the first time, the Mille Miglia Automatic chronometer and power-reserve models will be powered by a Chopard movement from the workshops of Fleurier Ebauches.
High-precision Chopard movements from the Fleurier Ebauches workshops
This is the first time that any Mille Miglia watches are driven by a Chopard movement. Calibres 01.01-C and 01.08-C were entirely designed, developed and assembled in the Fleurier Ebauche workshops. It is with great pride at Chopard that they meet all the quality demands of the Mille Miglia, thus equipping the Automatic and Power Control versions of the new Mille Miglia GTS collection.
These in-house 'engines' provide 60-hour power reserves and are certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). In fact, all models in the new Mille Miglia GTS collection are certified by COSC; even the chronograph movements satisfy that requirement.
The classic design codes of auxillary navigation instruments have been followed with the graduated black aluminium bezel insert accentuating the sporting nature of the Mille Mille GTS. The dials of the watches in the Mille Miglia GTS collection are black with red and white accents, a tribute to the aesthetic of vintage car dashboards.
The power-reserve indicator evokes a petrol gauge typical of the 1950s.
The date aperture appears in the Mille Miglia red-arrow race logo, a nod to the numbers on the doors and bonnets of the competing cars.
Chopard has introduced a new font characteristic of the new Mille Miglia GTS collection. The dials of the Automatic and Power Control versions feature oversized 6 and 12 o’clock numerals painted in Superluminova and reminiscent of the dashboards of classic cars.
The lively, dynamic nature of the race as a whole is symbolised by the distinctive presence of red on the dial, particularly on the minutes track and the seconds hand of each timepiece.
This collection is available in steel with a steel bracelet or rubber strap, or in rose gold with a rubber strap.
The rubber strap recalls the racing world and draws inspiration from the Dunlop tyres of classic 1960s cars.
CONCLUSION
Finally, the Chopard Mille Miglia collection start to have Chopard 'engines' inside. Chopard fans have been wishing for "more in-house mechanical movements across the Chopard range" since 1996 when Chopard returned to manufacturing own movements.
With the inauguration of the Fleurier Ebauches factory, that has become reality.
The Superfast chronographs are already equipped with in-house chronograph movements so it is entirely feasible that when the production capacity is ramped up, Mille Miglia chronographs will also be so equipped.
That final piece in the value proposition for Chopard Mille Miglia Collection will be complete.
The seemingly innocent improvements in technique and aesthetic point to some amazing revelations in the next 18 months from the House of CHOPARD.
Dr M. Teillol-Foo; 2015.