Comments:
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.
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.
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
Still a Neo Retro Look, elegant and sporty.
A lot of charm!
Best,
Nicolas
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 not be had for at least 4 months [back order] so Chopard send me this beautiful leather racing strap to tie me over. Nice.....
Mille Miglia, The Series with Chopard From 1988 to 2009 (Updated till 2013)
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!
"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.
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.
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
Mille Miglia Collection From 1988-1999
A rare sight! Thanks Michaelmcc for sharing.
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
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.
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 in rotation with my other subs. m
Very nice, Michael
Still a Neo Retro Look, elegant and sporty.
A lot of charm!
Best,
Nicolas
2005
what is the movement in the 2005 version
mine keeps almost quartz like time
thanks for the intel
mine keeps almost quartz like time
thanks for the intel
It is the robust...
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
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
Thanks for the cool pic Sirjun...Like the reflection on the
ibook.
Please place the MM away from the speakers
Looks pretty well-worn. How long is this MM with you?
Kong
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
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
the few garage queens i have are my GO perpetual, and BP flyback but others even my JLC reverso tend to get worn with a gusto
i will keep it off my speakers
thanks
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
the few garage queens i have are my GO perpetual, and BP flyback but others even my JLC reverso tend to get worn with a gusto
i will keep it off my speakers
thanks
Glad to hear your MM survives since ...
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
Thanks.
Kong
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
Thanks.
Kong
I think this is 2005 model year too, not 100% sure..
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 not be had for at least 4 months [back order] so Chopard send me this beautiful leather racing strap to tie me over. Nice.....
My 2005 MM
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 Chopard Mille Miglia (black face, perforated leather deployment clasp band)
-Omega Speedmaster stainless steel (the first "real" watch I bought in 1993)
-Rolex GMT II (Pepsi/stainless steel)
-TAG Heuer Carrera Re-edition (white face stainless, black perforated leather band)
-Hamilton Field Engineer mechanical
-Hamilton Khaki
-Gruen Curvex Re-edition (got for my 16th birthday)
I absolutely love my Chopard but it's been a bit fragile. The tab on the date gear got broken off (I have owned date adjustable watches for years and never had a problem with this) and recently the spring on the return button for the chronograph broke. I've treated this watch like a garage queen and only wear it on special occasions. I'm also very careful when I wear any watch. I don't do manual labor when I'm wearing them and I take care not to bang them around. Despite that, my MM got a small scratch (burnish mark) on it, which is hard to see, but which kind of bugs me. Regardless, I love the watch and can't wait to get it back from the repair shop.
Thanks for all the good information, this is my first post and I'm looking forward to learning more.
-tj in los gatos
2007 - 2008
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 Kong on 2009-06-23 05:53:05 This message has been edited by Kong on 2009-06-23 07:00:41
Mille Miglia - Vintage Series
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.
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 :-)
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
Not so sure if there is any new development.
Kong
After looking at all the modern Mille Miglias...
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.
Thanks Kong, this is a lifetime must see. Really great article and
the vintage pictures are excellent!
Best,
Tim
Best,
Tim