Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Sir Stirling Moss

Chopard is commemorating a monumental achievement in the annals of motorsport with the introduction of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Sir Stirling Moss. This timepiece is a carefully considered homage to one of the most remarkable victories in racing history. Limited to an exclusive production run, the watch serves as a tangible connection to a legendary driver and his unparalleled performance. The creation of this watch is rooted in Chopard's long-standing connection with the historic Mille Miglia race, a partnership that has spanned decades and is deeply ingrained in the brand's identity.

The timepiece is produced in a highly exclusive series of just 70 units. This specific number was not chosen at random; it directly commemorates the 70th anniversary of the celebrated victory achieved by Sir Stirling Moss and his co-driver, Denis Jenkinson, in the 1955 Mille Miglia. Their performance in that race has become the stuff of legend, a benchmark against which other endurance racing feats are often measured. This limited production ensures that each watch is a rare collector's item, directly tied to a significant milestone in automotive history.



On May 1st, 1955, Moss and Jenkinson piloted their Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR to victory in the grueling 1000-mile road race. They crossed the finish line with a total time of 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds. This astonishing performance resulted in an average speed of 97.96 miles per hour (157.65 km/h) over the entire course, which consisted of public roads winding through the Italian countryside. This record for the classic Mille Miglia route remains unbroken to this day, a testament to the skill of the drivers and the capabilities of their machine.

The watch designed to honor this feat features a case with a diameter of 40.5 mm, a contemporary size that offers a strong presence on the wrist while remaining comfortable for daily wear. The case is fashioned from Chopard's proprietary Lucent Steel™, an alloy known for its durability and distinctive brilliance. A significant aspect of this material is its composition, which is made with an 80% recycling rate, reflecting a modern approach to luxury material sourcing. The overall design of the case follows the updated aesthetic for the Classic Chronograph line that Chopard introduced in 2023.

A notable design detail of the case is the use of welded lugs. This specific construction technique is a deliberate nod to the engineering and architecture of vintage racing cars. Rather than being integrated into the main case body, the lugs are attached separately, a method that adds a layer of visual complexity and historical resonance to the watch's profile. This detail demonstrates a commitment to creating a timepiece that is not just functionally sound but also rich with thematic connections to its motorsport inspiration.

The visual interface of the watch is protected by a 'glass box' sapphire crystal. This type of crystal is raised and domed, creating a vintage-inspired aesthetic that also offers a clear and slightly magnified view of the dial from various angles. Beneath this crystal lies a dial with a silvered, opaline finish. This specific color and texture were chosen to evoke the matte silver paintwork of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR that Stirling Moss drove to victory. The car was a prime example of the German "Silver Arrows," and the dial's color palette directly honors this heritage.



For timekeeping, the dial is appointed with baton-style hands and prominent Arabic numeral hour markers. To ensure readability in all conditions, from bright daylight to the dim cockpit of a car during an overnight rally, these elements are coated with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova®. This high-grade luminescent material provides a bright and long-lasting glow in low-light situations. The layout is that of a classic chronograph, with sub-dials for tracking elapsed time, all arranged for intuitive reading at a glance.

Reinforcing its identity as a racing instrument, a tachymeter scale is present on the inner bezel ring. This scale, rendered with blue transfers, allows the wearer to calculate average speed over a known distance, a fundamental function for any motorsport chronograph. The red Mille Miglia logo is also prominently transferred onto the dial, serving as a constant reminder of the watch's direct lineage and connection to the famous Italian road race.

Powering the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Sir Stirling Moss is a mechanical self-winding chronograph movement. This complex engine provides a substantial power reserve of 54 hours, meaning the watch can be left unworn for over two days without needing to be wound. The precision of the movement is not merely a claim; it is certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC), an independent body that tests and verifies the accuracy and reliability of Swiss-made timepieces.

The reverse of the watch offers a view into its mechanical heart through an exhibition case-back. This transparent window allows an appreciation of the movement's intricate workings. The perimeter of the case-back is engraved with the Mille Miglia motif, along with the specific date of the historic race and the record-breaking time set by the Moss-Jenkinson duo. The center of the sapphire crystal itself is specially engraved, featuring a chequered flag motif intertwined with the Union Jack, a subtle yet poignant tribute to Sir Stirling Moss's British nationality.



The story behind the 1955 victory is one of meticulous preparation and sheer audacity. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR was a formidable machine, an open-top roadster with a 300-horsepower, fuel-injected straight-eight engine. Its bodywork was crafted from 'Elektron', a lightweight magnesium alloy, which brought the car's total weight to a mere 901 kilograms. This exceptional power-to-weight ratio was a key factor in its performance capabilities on the demanding Italian roads.

Months before the race, Moss and Jenkinson dedicated themselves to learning the thousand-mile course. Denis Jenkinson, who was also a journalist for Motor Sport magazine, developed a unique system for navigation. He created an 18-foot-long scroll of paper on which he meticulously noted every turn, hazard, and feature of the route. This scroll was housed in a custom-built device on the dashboard, allowing him to feed pace notes to Moss throughout the race.

Communication inside the roaring, open-cockpit car was nearly impossible due to the overwhelming noise from the engine and wind. To overcome this, Jenkinson devised a system of 15 distinct hand signals to guide Moss, conveying crucial information about upcoming corners and road conditions at incredibly high speeds. This innovative and effective method of co-driving was instrumental to their success and highlighted their extraordinary teamwork.

Sir Stirling Moss himself admitted the daunting nature of the event, once stating, "The Mille Miglia was the only race that really frightened me – at least until the moment the flag fell." Their race was filled with dramatic moments, including clipping straw bales at speed, sliding into a ditch on the treacherous Radicofani Pass, and a chaotic 28-second pit stop where they departed before the mechanics had even finished refueling the car. Despite these challenges, their preparation and skill prevailed.



The connection between Sir Stirling Moss and Chopard was a natural one, built upon a shared passion for classic motorsport and a long-standing friendship with the Scheufele family, the owners of Chopard. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard's Co-President, is an avid classic car enthusiast and a regular participant in the modern Mille Miglia. His personal involvement underscores the authenticity of the brand's relationship with the event. Moss himself was often seen wearing Chopard Mille Miglia timepieces, once remarking, "Chopard to my mind are one of the finest watches available and I rarely wear anything else."

Since 1988, Chopard has held the prestigious roles of World Sponsor and Official Timekeeper for the Mille Miglia. This enduring partnership has resulted in the annual release of a dedicated watch to celebrate each running of the race. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's personal participation is a remarkable testament to his dedication; he has competed in every edition since 1989, marking the 2024 race as his 37th consecutive start.

The watch's functions include a central display for hours and minutes, a small seconds sub-dial positioned at 6 o’clock, and a date window discreetly placed between the 4 and 5 o'clock markers. The chronograph functions are managed by two knurled pushers flanking the crown, operating a central sweep-seconds hand (distinguished by a red tip), a 30-minute counter, and a 12-hour counter. A stop-seconds function allows for precise time-setting.

The hands on the dial are carefully designed for both function and aesthetic coherence. The main hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated baton-type hands treated with Super-LumiNova®. The hands for the chronograph counters are also rhodium-plated and baton-shaped, while the central chronograph seconds hand is rhodium-plated with a distinct red tip for immediate recognition, a crucial detail for quick readings during a race.



Completing the design is a perforated brown calfskin leather strap. This style of strap, often called a "rally" or "racing" strap, features large perforations that were originally intended to aid in ventilation and reduce weight. The strap is finished with tone-on-tone stitching and secured with a pin buckle made from Lucent Steel™, matching the case material and ensuring a cohesive look.

The Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Sir Stirling Moss, with reference number 168619-3012, is a highly limited edition of just 70 pieces. Priced at €11,100, its exclusivity is a key aspect of its appeal. The watch is available exclusively through Chopard's own boutiques, ensuring a direct and controlled distribution for this special commemorative timepiece.

Case: Lucent Steel™ construction, 40.5 mm total diameter, 12.88 mm thickness. Water resistance of 50 meters. Features a screw-down crown, knurled pushers, polished bezel and lugs, and a glass-box glare-proofed sapphire crystal. Exhibition case-back with the Mille Miglia motif and record-breaking date and timing.

Movement: Mechanical self-winding chronograph movement. 54-hour power reserve, frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz). Features 37 jewels and is chronometer-certified (COSC).

Dial: Brass dial with a silver opaline finish. Blue transferred minutes track and tachymeter scale. Red transferred Mille Miglia logo. Arabic numeral hour markers and rhodium-plated hands feature Grade X1 Super-LumiNova®. Date display between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Strap: Perforated brown calfskin leather with tone-on-tone stitching. Secured with a pin buckle in Lucent Steel™.

Price: €11,100

Reference Number: 168619-3012

Notes: A 70-piece limited edition created to honor the 70th anniversary of Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson’s record-breaking 1955 Mille Miglia victory. The exhibition sapphire crystal is engraved with a chequered flag intertwined with the Union Jack.