Although Chopard has been producing chronographs inspired by vintage motifs and motorsport far longer than is currently common, the brand's Mille Miglia chronograph line mostly avoids the worn, faux patina that defines most modern genres. However, the latest model in the Mille Miglia line fully embraces the fauxtina aesthetic, and the warm, rounded dial design charmingly echoes the classic Italian road races that served as its inspiration. Named after the crucial Raticosa Pass, known as one of the best and most important sections of the Mille Miglia route from Brescia (Italy) to Rome and back, the new limited edition Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa fully captures the romantic atmosphere of dolce vita and the retro charisma of the race that bears its name.
Like many models in this series, the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa is likely to wear slightly larger thanks to its 42mm polished stainless steel case design. The straight extended lugs, vertical case sides, and wide rounded smooth bezel certainly evoke the heyday of the Mille Miglia in the 50s, but the purity and simplicity of this design do little to break up its visual profile in images. Nevertheless, the case design still features a sufficient amount of visual nuance, particularly in the sloped taper of the piston-style pushers and the skillfully engraved steering wheel motif on the crown. The sapphire caseback of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa is designed for a maximum view, but interestingly, this window extends far beyond the movement inside. Chopard decorates the open spacer ring with radial brushing, engraved text, and a beautifully executed engraved Mille Miglia emblem, but overall this is a potentially confusing stylistic choice. While the overall case design represents a modernized version of the 50s styling, the water resistance of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa is also retro, as its water resistance is only 50 meters.
Chopard offers the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa with a pair of dial options, each imparting a completely different character to the watch. Both options share the same layout as the rest of the Mille Miglia Classic sub-line, with mid-century styled Arabic numerals, broad sword hands, and a light, rounded approach to dial text that recalls vintage Italian road signs. Both versions also feature a new khaki lume fill, giving the design a warm aged look. The white dial model offers a more authentically vintage look, with the dial surface in images displaying an eggshell color and texture. This creamy white tone provides a light and nuanced backdrop for the crisp black dial text, while the fauxtina feel in photos does not become excessive.
The black dial, on the other hand, takes a bolder and more dramatic approach. Instead of a light matte texture, this black surface is interspersed with sharp radial brush strokes, and the sub-dials feature an azurage finish, adding extra visual complexity. The result is likely to be more dynamic and attention-grabbing on the wrist, but the use of the same khaki hue for the lume and all the dial text may prove controversial among enthusiasts. However, even more contentious for both models might be the date window at 4:30. Although this date indicator matches the surrounding dial, a no-date variant might have appeared cleaner and visually less cluttered.
Chopard provides little detail about the powertrain of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa, but based on previous iterations of the line, this is likely a slightly modified version of the automatic chronograph movement ETA 2894-2. The view through the caseback is beautifully finished: perlage on the bridges, blued screws, and a signed rotor topped with Geneva stripes. The movement here is also COSC certified as a chronometer, but the power reserve remains at the ETA standard 42 hours at a frequency of 28,800 beats per second.
Chopard pairs the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa with a retro-modernist strap with a rubber lining and a classic leather rally strap with small perforations. Here the leather is in a deeply distressed saddle brown, with prominent wrinkling emphasized in images. The black rubber lining is a trademark of Chopard, with an internal texture copied from the tread pattern of 60s Dunlop racing tires. Overall, the strap represents an intriguing blend of old and new, complementing the warm aged look of the watch itself.
The limited edition Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa with its soft patinated exterior and subtle typographic details represents one of the most nostalgic designs in the Mille Miglia series to date.
Only 500 pieces of each dial variant will be produced, with a total edition of 1,000 pieces. The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa watches are now available through official dealers for $5,900 USD. For more details, visit the brand's website.