Chopard kicks their motorsports heritage into the next gear with a new version of their Mille Miglia collection, paying homage to the famous Raticosa Pass.
As most of us already know, the worlds of horology and automotive racing are inextricably linked. Time is the most important factor, after all, and racing is all about harnessing as much of it as possible. From tracking lap times to measuring speed, the adrenaline-fuelled world of motor racing is something many watch brands have built empires on. But in terms of racing heritage, Chopard’s is one that is less often discussed.
The Swiss independent jeweller-watchmaker has long held a deep passion for motorsport, made manifest through co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. Not only does he help run Chopard alongside his sister Caroline, but he also actively competes in one of the most iconic endurance races of all time: the Mille Miglia.
Named by Enzo Ferrari as “the most beautiful race in the world”, the Mille Miglia (Italian for “Thousand Miles”) ran from 1927 to 1957 as a legendary — and legendarily dangerous — road race. From 1977 onwards, however, it was revived as a tribute to vintage automobiles, with Chopard joining as official sponsor and timekeeper in 1988.
The Chopard Mille Miglia collection followed in 1994 and, since 1997, has welcomed new iterations almost every year. This year is no different, as the brand has unveiled a new version of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph in tribute to one of the most challenging segments of the entire race.
Racing Lines
Hot on the heels of the recent Mille Miglia GTS Power Control, the new Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa might look familiar to enthusiasts of the brand. It bears a striking resemblance to the 500-piece limited-edition Raticosa released in 2021. While the silhouette is familiar, the brand has made several small changes to give this version a more distinctive identity.
The watch has been sized down slightly, from 42mm to 40.5mm. However, the thickness has increased from 12.67mm to 12.88mm, resulting in a more compact, albeit slightly stubbier, wearing experience. The stepped bezel has also been slimmed down, giving the dial and sapphire box crystal more room to shine. Finally, the strap has been changed, forgoing the Dunlop tyre-inspired rubber pattern in favour of a full-leather brown perforated rally strap.
Some things, however, do not need changing. The watch still comes in Chopard’s Lucent Steel. Stronger, shinier and sustainably sourced, it has been a hallmark of the brand’s manufacturing since 2019.
Cream Of The Crop
Just like the case silhouette, minor details around the pushers and dial have been refined to further intertwine Chopard’s identity with the heritage of the Mille Miglia. The crown, sporting an engraved steering wheel motif, is flanked by two chronograph pushers reminiscent of engine pistons. For this edition of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa, the brand has added a textured criss-cross finish to the tops of the pushers. Presumably introduced for aesthetic purposes, it should also improve tactility.
The dial remains off-white, evocative of yellowed paper maps, with healthy accents of faux patina around the hands, Arabic numerals and sub-dials. Another update can be found here: rather than standard printed chronograph registers, their borders have been recessed into the dial and highlighted with the same faux-patina tone. Finally, the date window has been subtly colour-matched to the dial, adding a welcome sense of cohesion to its somewhat awkward position at 4:30.
For a watch that relies predominantly on cream-toned contrast, it is surprisingly easy to read, thanks to Chopard’s smart use of tone, texture and a small splash of red. That accent can be found on the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, as well as on the Mille Miglia logo just below the handset.
Touching Tributes
Turning the watch around, the true tribute reveals itself: a titanium-engraved caseback depicting a scene at the Raticosa Pass. This beautiful stretch of road is the Mille Miglia’s most demanding segment, reaching an elevation of 968 metres. Given the level of skill required to navigate the pass — one of the few sections of the Mille Miglia still driveable today — Enzo Ferrari famously proclaimed that the race was won at the Raticosa Pass.
Beyond the artistry, of course, lies the watch’s beating heart. It is a Chopard-modified automatic calibre with no formal name, though it is heavily based on the ETA A322-11 architecture. Beating at the luxury-industry standard of 4Hz (28,800VpH) and offering a 54-hour power reserve, it is a step up from the original model’s ETA 2892-A2 base. Like its predecessor, it powers the chronograph complication and date display while also achieving COSC Chronometer-certified accuracy.
Initial Thoughts
With how optimised racing has become in recent years, it is easy to forget why it exists in the first place. Before racing simulators, heavy-handed regulations and “papaya rules”, the thrill of racing was about more than simply being the best. It was, as we would put it, for the love of the game.
The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa distils that love, passion and romance of old-school racing into a single timepiece. Combined with accurate, functional mechanics and a forward-thinking case construction, the brand has created a watch that encapsulates the spirit of racing as it once was.
While we still catch glimpses of that spirit today — just look at Lewis Hamilton’s recent masterclass at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya — they are becoming increasingly rare in the modern racing landscape. Models like the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa, however, immortalise those moments in a way few other mediums truly can.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | 168619-3020 |
| Dimensions | 40.5mm case diameter x 12.88mm thickness |
| Case | Lucent Steel™ |
| Dial | Cream |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Closed, engraved titanium depicting the Raticosa Pass |
| Movement | Automatic ETA Cal. A322-11 with COSC Chronometer certification, chronograph (30min, 12h registers), small seconds, & date complication |
| Power Reserve | 54h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 50m / 5bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Brown leather rally strap with steel pin buckle |