Further signifying Chopard’s well known love of classic cars and its passion for motorsport, 2023 marked the 35th occasion that Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has competed in the race from Brescia to Rome and back, having first taken part in 1989 with six-times Le Mans 24 Hours winner Jacky Ickx in the navigator’s seat. The pair teamed-up again this year (as on more than a dozen previous occasions), once more tackling the gruelling course in the instantly recognisable ‘metallic raspberry’ Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing in which they made their 1000 Miglia debut.

In addition to the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing crewed by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Jacky Ickx, Chopard Ambassadors Zhu Yilong, the acclaimed Chinese actor, and Romain Dumas, the celebrated endurance racing driver, also competed under the ‘Team Chopard’ banner in a 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster. At a special welcome dinner hosted by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele on the eve of the start, guests were presented with the new Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph collection celebrating this year’s race.

Comprising four new models crafted in Chopard’s exclusive Lucent Steel™ (50 percent more resilient than regular steel and incorporating material recycled from the medical, aerospace, car and watch industries), these 40 mm chronographs are fitted either with the Maison’s signature rubber strap based on the pattern of a ‘60s Dunlop race tyre or a rich brown calfskin leather strap evoking traditional driving gloves. What makes this year’s Mille Miglia Classic Chronographs extra-special, however, are their dials: each of the four variations is based on the paint hues and interior finishes typically found on the type of pre-1957 cars eligible for the 1000 Miglia. This means a choice of Rosso Amarena (cherry red), Grigio-Blu (grey blue), Verde Chiaro (light green) and Nero Corsa (racing black). In keeping with a 36-year tradition, each watch carries a miniature ‘1000 Miglia’ route marker on its dial and case back.