The Low-Down
This year Chopard is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the California Mille Tour, and fittingly, to mark the occasion, the family owned manufacture has introduced the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control California Mille 30TH Anniversary Edition, of which only 30 pieces have been produced.
The California Mille is a 1,000 mile, four-day excursion through the picturesque back roads of Northern California racing through small towns charmingly impervious to change.
The 43mm stainless steel silver dial has been created to echo vintage car bodies while the chronometer cleverly pairs automobile design with mechanical watchmaking.
It’s the third year in a row that Chopard has been chosen as the “Official Timekeeper” of the 30th annual California Mille, which this year ran from April 25th to April 29th.
The new Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Automatic runs on the Chopard 01.08-C chronometer which is COSC certified with a self-winding movement and a 60-hour power reserve. The movement features Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date, Power Reserve Indicator and Chronometer.
The power reserve indicator located at nine o’clock, is designed to resemble a classic car fuel gauge, while the date window at three o’clock is framed by a miniaturized graphic of the ‘1000 Miglia’ direction arrows that mark the 1000 Miglia route.
On the reverse of the watch, the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control reveals an exhibition caseback with “Brescia-Roma-Brescia” and “Limited Edition 30” engraved and with “California 2021” in blue printed directly on the sapphire crystal itself.
To complete the look, the watch comes on a perforated blue calfskin strap, with blue rubber lining which is based on the pattern of a 1960s Dunlop racing tire.
IMHO
The Chopard Mille Miglia is a true collector’s watch with the movement created in Chopard’s own Fleurier Ebauches workshops.
The history of the Mille Miglia dates back to 1927 when two aristocrats wished to compensate for the loss of the Italian Grand Prix close to their home town of Brescia. The original Mille Miglia had racing cars compete on roads rather than tracks. It was discontinued in 1957 for safety reasons but revived 20 years later under the name Mille Miglia Storica and since then has become the world’s most prestigious classic car endurance race.
“We share the belief that cars are about more than just getting from Point A to Point B, they’re about connection and a sense of camaraderie. This year’s California Mille was true to its roots of ‘important cars, little roads, and wonderful friends.” McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty, proprietor of the California Mille since October 2020.
Tech Specs
Movement: Chopard 01.08-C COSC certified chronometer
Case: 43mm, stainless steel, 100 meters water resistance
Strap: Blue perforated calfskin leather
Availability: 30 pieces
Price: USD 8,610
