Mille Miglia, The Series with Chopard From 1988 to 2009 (Updated till 2013)

May 14, 2009,14:07 PM
 






In 1927, amid the high spirits of the “Golden Twenties”, four motor-sports enthusiasts, members of the motor club of Brescia (ACB) decided to organise a race would be attractive to any good driver, not just for an elitist circle, but for everyone.
Drivers should have a fair chance to demonstrate their skills, ability and talent. The cars were to prove their performances on public roads, that were serpentine ups and down just as quickly as long, flat and straight fast.
Adding to the challenge is the harsh elements.

Only sports cars from regular production vehicles by well-known car-makes could qualify to participate. Those specially build formula racing cars  designed for competitions were disallowed to join.

The idea of the Mille Miglia (Thousand Miles or 1600 KM) endurance open road race was born.
The Italians call the race : “La corsa più bella del mondo” (the most beautiful race in the world). While Enzo Ferrari defined it as "the world's greatest road race".  Indeed it is greatest,  the Mille Miglia is so popular that it draws racers from all around the world till today.
Passionate and remarkable racing legends surfaced with superhuman feats  like Tazio Nuvolari, Hans Hermann & Herbert Linge and Stirling Moss, to name a few.   Record-holder Sir Stirling Moss breezed through the Mille Miglia 50 years ago, establishing an average speed record of 157.65 km/h at the wheel of a Mercedes 300 SLR!

Each year, more than 370 teams selected from over 800 candidates to take part in the race.
  Only competition cars representing models that took part in the race between 1927 and 1957 were to be accepted.








To have a quick feel of the Mille Miglia race, the above
"Mille Miglia - The Spirit of a Legend - Official Trailer" is very good. 
Turn on your volume!





The route has changed many times over the years.  The current updated route is as shown.



(Credit  : www.1000miglia.eu)


This year 2009, the first leg of the Mille Miglia race from “Ferrara to  Roma” will begin on 15 May morning. The race will finish close to mid-night of 17 May.



This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the association between Chopard and the Mille Miglia.
Every year, since 1988, Chopard creates a new watch based on the automobile theme to mark the race.

Chopard supports not only in the form sponsorship, but by participating in the race.  Mr Karl and Mr Karl-Friedrich Scheufele who love vintage cars, takes part every year.





A picture showing the Mille Miglia watch design taking inspiration from the legendary vintage sports cars.
The original rubber strap with the sixties-style Dunlop-tyre-tread is also
a tribute to the world of speed and motor-racing circuits.





To participate virtually in the race (if could not be in Italy), the official Mille Miglia website, www.1000miglia.eu may provide LIVE sniplets.

For us here, we would like to revisit the many Mille Miglia pieces issued by Chopard from the begining, 1988.

Gentlemen, if you have any of the pieces, look forward to your pictures!

Let's start the engines!


Kong



















 










 














This message has been edited by Kong on 2013-08-05 20:38:25


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Mille Miglia Collection From 1988-1999

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:12
The Beginning - 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1999...  

great post, i love the dials on those chronos, only 1 in my collection

 
 By: michaelmcc : May 24th, 2009-08:01
and this is it. love the "tire" band. m " target="_blank"> " border="0" alt="chopard back"> " target="_blank"> " border="0" alt="chopard chrono">...  

A rare sight! Thanks Michaelmcc for sharing.

 
 By: Kong : May 24th, 2009-22:07
How in the world you get this piece? Nice auspicious number too Did you go the race? It is another beautiful classic car rally in Austria, which is starting next week. Thanks for sharing! Kong

K. Fell in love with it at a watch show in Orlando few years ago.

 
 By: michaelmcc : May 25th, 2009-06:47
I was looking to purchase another vintage rolex gmt but saw this in the display box. As a fan of racing thought it was so cool with the "tire" band and beautiful chronos in the blue and white. It is still a favorite even though it gets little wrist time i... 

Very nice, Michael

 
 By: amanico : May 24th, 2009-22:29
Still a Neo Retro Look, elegant and sporty. A lot of charm! Best, Nicolas

thank you :::)))

 
 By: MiniCooper : June 25th, 2009-18:35

2000-2002

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:15
...  

2003

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:17
...  

2004

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:18
...  

2005

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:19
...  

2005

 
 By: sirjun : May 14th, 2009-20:15
what is the movement in the 2005 version mine keeps almost quartz like time thanks for the intel

It is the robust...

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-21:26
Valjoux 7754. Also one more thing, it seems to be the last model of MM with the word 'tachymeter" Will be great if you could share with us a wristshot or two. Thanks. Kong

MM PIC

 
 By: sirjun : May 17th, 2009-13:36
...  

Thanks for the cool pic Sirjun...Like the reflection on the

 
 By: Kong : May 18th, 2009-01:15
ibook. Please place the MM away from the speakers Looks pretty well-worn. How long is this MM with you? Kong

(chopard) Thanks for the cool pic Sirjun...Like the reflection on the

 
 By: sirjun : May 18th, 2009-06:41
oh i tend to beat the heck out of my watches as i tend to wear them relatively "robustly" i like the patina when they are worn... this one has been with me since its "Birth" and it spends most of its time boating water skiing and doing other such things t... 

Glad to hear your MM survives since ...

 
 By: Kong : May 18th, 2009-13:15
birth after subjecting to some serious water sports and still running well. I think you are one of the rare persons who dare to wear the watches for 'real sports' situation. When you have time, please show us the 'patina' stage of your MM...closer views T... 

I think this is 2005 model year too, not 100% sure..

 
 By: lowbee : May 17th, 2009-15:53
And a big thanks to Chopard customer service [at HQ] for the complementary leather racing strap [pic below] while my bracelet was being replaced. The short version of the story is that my bracelet was broken under warranty and a replacement bracelet could...  

My 2005 MM

 
 By: alfa_corsa : July 2nd, 2013-08:14
I too have a 2005 model MM and while I love it, I've been a little disappointed in its lack of robustness. I'm not a huge collector but I've been adding the occasional watch to my stash over the past few decades. My current inventory is as follows: -2005 ...  

2006

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:20
...  

2007 - 2008

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:21
Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono 709 Madison Limited Edition Ref: 168459-3002, limited edition of 100 in stainless steel /natural rubber bracelet Ref: 161268-5002, limited edition of 25 in pink gold / blue alligator leather strap This message has been edited by ...  

Mille Miglia - Vintage Series

 
 By: Kong : May 14th, 2009-14:30
For the writeup on the above piece: please click here. This message has been edited by Kong on 2009-05-14 14:31:11...  

Off all, the vintage series are my cup of tea.

 
 By: ling5hk : May 14th, 2009-16:57
They are very different from the look of other MM, not really a sport watch as compared to other MM. Kong, Will there be future development for vintage series or this is one off thing? Regards Ling

You are right at this moment :-)

 
 By: Kong : May 15th, 2009-22:52
If this MM Vintage is worn in 50's and 60's, it is different. Not so sure if there is any new development. Kong

After looking at all the modern Mille Miglias...

 
 By: patrickau : May 14th, 2009-19:00
my favourite is still the 168331. With the highly polished bezel and rounded side case, it looks very elegant in metal. I didn't know it was a 1998 design. In my opinion it will remain a classic.

Black, of course [nt]

 
 By: patrickau : May 17th, 2009-22:47
No message body

Thanks Kong, this is a lifetime must see. Really great article and

 
 By: timerider : May 27th, 2009-09:57
the vintage pictures are excellent! Best, Tim

Thanks Tim...

 
 By: Kong : May 30th, 2009-04:35
which range attracts you most? The Vintage? Kong

Hi Kong, I have had a few MM over the years, and as you surmised

 
 By: timerider : May 30th, 2009-08:30
the vintage is really my favorite. It is after all a vintage car race! Thanks again for the great report. Best, Tim

2009, 2010 and 2011 ...

 
 By: Kong : July 1st, 2009-03:03
More pics of 2009 s at: chopard.watchprosite.com and chopard.watchprosite.com 2009 Mille Miglia Edition (2009 pieces) 2009 Mille Miglia (Gold Case) SuperCharge Speed Black Split Second RG GT XL Chrono Split Second GMT Chrono Ref 168992-3022 The GT XL Chro...  

Mille Miglia

 
 By: beastie : July 7th, 2009-10:45
What a fantastic thread - loved reading this!

2012 Editions ..

 
 By: Kong : June 4th, 2013-02:42
Snapshots of the 2012 Editions ... for more pictures, please click here . ...  

Mille Miglia 2013 Editions

 
 By: Kong : August 5th, 2013-20:37
To view, the Mille Miglia 2013 Editions, please click here . ...