Chopard Mille Miglia Race Edition 2016 Review

KMII · 2016-07-16T01:21:18Z

Hands-on review of the Chopard Mille Miglia Race Edition 2016. Discover its in-house chrono movement, 46mm case, and racing design. Limited to 1,000 pieces.

KMII

WPS member · Chopard forum

27 replies5216 views2 photos

KMII offers a first look at the Chopard Mille Miglia Race Edition 2016, a significant release featuring an in-house chronograph movement. His detailed impressions cover the watch's design, wearability, and technical specifications, providing valuable insights for enthusiasts considering this limited-edition piece. KMII's review highlights Chopard's commitment to elevating its Mille Miglia collection with advanced horological capabilities.

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I was a bit luckier second time around at the Boutique and this time there was a Mille Miglia Race Edition 2016 in stock (the first time it got sold before I managed to get to it)

With an in-house chronograph movement, related to the 11.CF movement in my LUC Chrono One, it is something of a first for a Mille Miglia (chrono).

The movement is not as highly decorated as in a LUC watch, of course, but features all the relevant characteristics, nonetheless. A column wheel vertical clutch design, 45 jewels, over 60h power reserve... And a major upgrade when compared to the ETA based predecessors.

The case seems truly gigantic for someone of feeble wrists like me. It has a diameter of 46mm, and I was truly interested if it would hang over my wrist like an adult's watch on a child

Turns out it's nowhere nearly as bad and that the lugs conspire to make it a comfortable fit. Chopard definitely makes it possible for me to wear larger watches than I'm used to

Still, I would have preferred it to be 2-4mm smaller - the movement would surely fit in a smaller design (Chrono One is 42mm). As it is, the size fits on the wrist but makes the watch appear sportier in my opinion - very much a weekend watch at my wrist size...

I guess the date will bother some but luckily it is on a dial coloured disc in this case (unlike the 2014 Edition, for instance). The dial design IMHO fits the MM bill perfectly, especially the pre-WW2 era. Bold numerals with excellent lume, nice hands, good legibility.

Finally, as usual, the strap is supremely comfortable. Judging by the Barenia on my wife's 2014, it should be very comfortable in summer, too - and show a relatively good longevity / robustness. Unusual size at 22/20, though. I'm actually thinking of getting it as a summer strap for the Chrono One (unfortunately I'm a bit late, as the summer vacation seems to already have started at the Manufacture, so the express 14 day strap making is not available till September or so).

So if you always liked the looks of MM chronos but were deterred by the movement, now's a good time. There are only 1.000 pieces in SS available (about half as many as previous Race Editions) and I can imagine they'll go fast. Certainly a decent deal for an in-house chrono with this level of finish and the provenance.

Key Points from the Discussion

The Chopard Mille Miglia Race Edition 2016 features an in-house chronograph movement, a significant upgrade from previous ETA-based predecessors, boasting a column wheel vertical clutch design, 45 jewels, and over 60 hours of power reserve.
Despite its 46mm diameter, the watch wears surprisingly well on smaller wrists due to thoughtful lug design, though some collectors might prefer a smaller case size.
The dial design, with bold numerals and excellent lume, perfectly captures the pre-WW2 era aesthetic of the Mille Miglia race, and the date disc matches the dial color for better integration.
Chopard's Mille Miglia series historically includes a range of sizes, from 38-40mm for 'Classic' models (1927-1957 car era) to 42-43mm for 'GT XL' models, with the 2016 Race Edition being a larger, sportier offering.
The 46mm case and thick calfskin strap of the 2016 Race Edition are well-suited for demanding conditions, such as those encountered in rallies like the Peking to Paris.
The strap, with its unusual 22/20mm size, is noted for its supreme comfort and expected longevity, making it a suitable option for summer wear.

The Discussion

foversta

Jul 16, 2016

I will have the chanced to wear it within a few days so I will write an article about it. Fx

KIH

Jul 16, 2016

MIlle Miglia series has been always on my "list".... but have felt something was "missing"... Yeah, I haven't met Jacky Ickx yet! Anyway, kidding aside, you got a great watch. Comfortable is important, more so than the size. You are getting deeper and deeper in the Chopard world and that is a very good thing! Ken

KMII

Jul 16, 2016

And to see if you\'re joining MTF in the owner\'s club

KMII

Jul 16, 2016

Just checked it out so far These are all the Chopards we have for the moment:

KMII

Jul 16, 2016

They kind of work with the watch in the current size...

KMII

Jul 16, 2016

I like them best in the 35-40mm sphere

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