The Chopard Mille Miglia Watch Collection

The Mille Miglia watch collection by Chopard celebrates an eternal love affair between motorsports and horology. Join us here at Jura Watches as we guide you through the collection and its fascinating story.

The Mille Miglia racing event is an Italian race of endurance and perseverance. Legendary vintage cars take part, crossing treacherous roads in a pursuit that is etched into the story of historic racing folklore. For years, the race has been capturing the hearts of motorsport enthusiasts, including Karl Scheufele and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, who both share a passion for classic cars and the vintage rally race itself. So much so, that their company, Chopard even dedicated an entire range of sporty wristwatches to the famous race.

Over the years, Chopard has almost become indistinguishable from the Mille Miglia racing event. Its long-standing association with the rally began with a sponsorship and a curation of a watch collection that shares similar mechanical craftsmanship values as the vintage cars that take part in the event. The Mille Miglia name translates to “1000 miles”. The openroad endurance race, which initially ran between the years 1927 to 1957 spanned this exact distance, stretching from Brescia to Rome. It quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most challenging in the motorsport world. Having been discontinued for 30 years, the race reopened again in 1982, reigniting the flame for adrenaline rally racing once more.

Chopard and 1000 Miglia

Six years after the rebirth of the vintage car rally race, Chopard became the official timekeeper and sponsor for the event. It began a long and cherished partnership between the two. This celebration of shared values sparked the release of the first Mille Miglia watch by the Swiss manufacturer in 1988. These early models were reminiscent of vintage cars with dials that featured racing stripes and straps crafted from premium leather that resembled the interior of a car. Even the cases themselves echoed the bodywork of these classic cars. Over time, new materials, technologies and advanced complications entered the collection. Chronographs became a prominent design throughout the series.

Now, after a healthy 35-year collaboration, the collection is home to models that boast immaculate aesthetics and several limited edition timepieces. There are a couple of key characteristics you’re likely to encounter whilst exploring our Mille Miglia collection of Chopard watches here at Jura Watches. Their sporty dials are one. Designed for legibility but cleverly engineered, the dial of a Chopard Mille Miglia watch is inspired by the speed gauge of a car. Other features are often brought into specific models, such as retrograde fuel gauges.

The second key feature you’ll notice about these watches is their automotive-inspired straps. Newer models tend to be crafted from rubber with Dunlop tyre tread patterns. If you look at older models, however, you’ll see that their straps are reminiscent of the fabric interior of the classic cars from which they take their inspiration. Modern generations are now powered by COSC-certified movements, promising exceptional timekeeping. Others include tachymeter functions, luminous dial markings and several motorsport-inspired features. Here are a couple of our favourites at Jura Watches…

Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph watch reference 168619-4001

This elegant-looking Mille Miglia watch underscores Chopard’s strong relationship with the 1000 Miglia race. Having supplied timeless watches for men and women since its partnership with the event in 1988, the collection has grown to accommodate luxurious timepieces like this stunning 18ct yellow gold and stainless steel iteration. Imbued with retro accents, its chronograph counters placed at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock are etched in yellow gold accents to match the model’s bezel. A tachymeter also runs around the flange, enabling you to record distance based on speed when at the side of the racetrack.

Whether you attend regular motorsport events or not, however, this Mille Miglia watch is perfect for daily wear. It brings a touch of finesse and luxury to the wrist thanks to the contrasting elements of the steel and yellow gold bodywork against a rich blue dial. The Arabic numerals around the hour track are treated in white Super-LumiNova. These join a set of hands, also in the same finish, propelled by the power of a COSC-certified movement that sits within. To complete its classic aesthetics, the watch is fitted on a perforated brown calfskin leather strap with contrast stitching that gives the timepieces a vintage-inspired feel.

Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph watch reference 168619-3003

For something a little more versatile, the stainless steel version of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph will pair well with most attire. Its piston-style pushers are perfect for conveying a retro-inspired edge. The 40mm model is compact and beautifully polished, enhancing a rich red-coloured dial, equipped with three legible chronograph counters. The 1000 Miglia logo is located at 12 o’clock, adding balance to a small seconds function at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour totaliser at 6 o’clock and a 30-minute feature at 9 o’clock.

The model also provides a tachymeter scale in contrasting silver shades around the edge and a date feature nestled in between the 4 and 5 o’clock locations. Sporty yet retro, this model is perfect for any Mille Miglia fan, as well as those who will compromise on nothing less than Chopard’s innate mechanical engineering expertise.

You can check out our full Mille Miglia watch collection by Chopard here at Jura Watches or call and speak to a member of our sales team today on 01335 453453.