For two years working, Chopard has been the Official Timekeeper and sponsor of the annual California Mille automobile race. The California Mille is a 1000-mile race by way of the backroads and cities of northern California. The four-day open-road journey is a homage to Italy’s Mille races held from 1927 to 1957. To commemorate the race, Chopard has launched the Chopard Mille Miglia Traditional Chronograph California Mille Version Watch — a watch that’s so “Mille-y” the model included it within the identify twice.
Case & Dial
The polished chrome steel case measures in at modest 42mm and incorporates a sapphire crystal. I discover this to be an ideal measurement for racing chronographs. I additionally suppose the polished case is nice, even when it’s not one thing I might usually spring for in a sport watch. Certainly one of my favourite options of the Mille Miglia assortment is the pushers. The massive onion-esque crown, with barely exaggerated pushers, is just aesthetically pleasing and purposeful, one thing racing watches perplexingly forego extra typically than they need to. The watch comes on a leather-based strap with rubber underbelly and is water-proof as much as 50 meters.
The dial, nevertheless, is the place the California Mille Version actually shines. Taking affect from the California state flag, essentially the most blatant characteristic is the crimson racing stripe at about 6 o’ clock. Additional, the inexperienced tachymeter contrasts properly with the dial. Mimicking classic dashboards, the silver dial options matching subdials however with sufficient texture to not get misplaced. Total, the dial seems and feels quintessentially California with none pointless California Mille-specific branding. That’s one thing I’ve all the time admired about Chopard’s restricted and particular version watches. In addition to the cut-off indices, my solely different criticism is the date. I believe it ought to have been omitted altogether as an alternative of obstructing the crimson stripe.
Motion
Flipping the watch over, nevertheless, you’ll discover the “California Republic” flag throughout the sapphire caseback. It’s much less delicate, and I can already hear the gripes about overlaying up the motion, however it doesn’t hassle me. The motion is unspecified, however it’s doubtless the ETA 2894-2 self-winding chronograph utilized in earlier Mille Miglia watches. The COSC-certified motion incorporates a 42-hour energy reserve and beats at Four-Hz.
CONCLUSION
I now have 4 Mille Miglia articles below my belt, and that is undoubtedly my favourite. I’ve no private connection to California, however that doesn’t cease me from discovering this watch one of the crucial charming of the gathering. It does a fantastic job of bringing a delicate affect from a distinct segment occasion to a staple watch. The Chopard Mille Miglia Traditional Chronograph California Mille Version can be restricted to 29 items and is $6,590 — a $500 premium over the standard Racing Colours fashions. Learn extra at chopard.com.
