Chopard races through new motorsport-inspired pieces
At Baselworld 2016, in conjunction with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Chopard Manufacture, the renowned luxury Maison showcased an array of exciting additions to its all iconic motorsport-inspired collections, and welcomed the new models Superfast Porsche Motorsport 919, Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition and Mille Miglia GTS Automatic Speed black watch
Twenty years ago, when Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele decided to revive the watchmaking heritage of the company’s founding father, Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the renowned luxury brand faced numerous challenges in becoming the Chopard Manufacture. Yet with the excellent combination of its technical expertise, determination and commitment, it thus overcame the hurdles and led the inspiring ambition came to fruition upon the birth of its first self-winding movement – christened L.U.C 1.96 in tribute to the company founder, and subsequently renamed L.U.C 96.01 L – to appear in the prestige watchmaking firmament in the autumn of 1996.
Within a few years, the family-owned Geneva-based company not only succeeded in establishing a model Manufacture in Fleurier, but also in producing an impressive range of mechanical calibres. In 2014, building on the pioneering spirit that has inspired the company since its earliest beginnings, Chopard launched a world première Haute Horlogerie watch in ethically sourced gold: The L.U.C Tourbilon QF Fairmined. Such amazing feats mark only a few significant additions to its heritage that stretches over more than 150 years.
This year, as Chopard Manufacture celebrates its two decades of existence, it takes delight in the 11 extraordinary base movements composing its portfolio to date, along with 87 variations. From a flurry of new movements and exceptional creations, Chopard has raised the excitement with the unveiling of its latest additions to the already legendary motorsport-themed timepiece collections.
Superfast Porsche Motorsport 919 – limited victory edition
In conjunction with the 17th title victory of the Porsche Motorsport team in the 2015 World Endurance Championship for which Chopard has been serving as Official Timing Partner since 2014, the Swiss luxury brand dedicates a 17-piece limited edition COSC chronometer-certified chronograph for this victorious partnership.
Inspired by the Porsche 919 Hybrid that powered the Porsche Motorsport to the top spot in the World Endurance Championship, the Superfast Porsche Motorsport 919 – limited victory edition features much like a high-speed racing car – the bodywork of this sleek piece houses an engine entirely developed, produced and assembled in the Chopard workshops: The Chopard Calibre 03.05-M. The calibre and its open-worked oscillating weight are visible through a sapphire crystal engraved with the inscriptions “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport” and “Winner World Endurance Championship 2015”.
Flaunting an imposing 45mm-diameter stainless steel case paired with tachymeter-equipped bezel in 18-carat rose gold, this sophisticated men’s watch also boasts the silver-toned dial that is inspired by the famous metallic grey of the German manufacturer while its stripes evoke the rear diffuser of the Porsche 919 Hybrid, and the 919 logo which appears in a red rectangle of the hours counter is identical to the numbers of the Porsche cars competing in the WEC.
Much like a high-speed racing car, the bodywork of the Superfast Porsche Motorsport 919 – limited victory edition houses an engine entirely developed, produced and assembled in the Chopard workshops: the Chopard Calibre 03.05-M. This remarkable precise mechanical self-winding chronograph movement, equipped with a flyback function, is chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The calibre and its open-worked oscillating weight are visible through a sapphire crystal engraved with the inscriptions “Official Timing Partner Porsche Motorsport” and “Winner World Endurance Championship 2015”.
Embodying a blend of precision and performance, this timepiece exclusively available from Chopard boutiques comes with a black rubber strap inspired by slick-tread racing tyres, which notably enabled Porsche Motorsport to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015.
Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition
This year, the story that began in 1988, when Chopard became partner and official timekeeper of the famous Mille Miglia classic car rally, continues with the release of a generously sized retro-style timepiece issued in a 1,000-piece stainless steel edition: The Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition. Inspired by the design codes of the cars that took part in the historical race between 1927 and 1940, this sturdy 46mm-diameter piece makes it the largest of the Mille Miglia wrist chronographs created by Chopard.
A true partner for drivers, the Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition is equipped with a high-precision watch ‘engine’, chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC): The Chopard Calibre 03.05-C, a new mechanical self-winding movement equipped with a column wheel.
Surrounded with a tachymetric scale, the dial revives the aesthetic of vintage dashboards and ensures maximum readability thanks to its large numerals and luminescent hands. Inspired by leather car-bonnet tie-down straps, its beautifully weathered strap in Suportlo® calfskin echoes the legendary spirit of the Italian competition.
Issued in a 1,000-piece stainless steel limited edition, the Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition throbs to the tune of a unique ‘engine’: the new Chopard Calibre 03.05-C, a chronograph movement with COSC-certified precision. Surrounded with a tachymetric scale, the dial revives the aesthetic of vintage dashboards and ensures maximum readability thanks to its large numerals and luminescent hands. Inspired by leather car-bonnet tie-down straps, its beautifully weathered strap in Suportlo® calfskin echoes the legendary spirit of the Italian competition that Chopard has been serving as partner and official timekeeper since 1988.
Mille Miglia GTS Automatic Speed black
Another addition to the Chopard’s Mille Miglia GTS collection is the new sports watch: The Mille Miglia GTS Automatic Speed black. Cloaked in deep black from its case and dial all the way to its functional screws, it flaunts a powerful look and a sporting character suited to all occasions.
While the Mille Miglia GTS Automatic Speed black lives up to its name, it also plays on contrasts. Its velvet-finish matt black dial is lit up by flamboyant red accents in the shape of a sweep-seconds hand, the gasket surrounding the minute track, as well as the arrow-shaped Mille Miglia logo framing the date aperture.
Sophisticated design and technical excellence combine in this exclusive timepiece powered by a Chopard Calibre 01.01-M and chronometer-certified by the COSC. With its red “Rossa Corsa” detailing, its oversized numerals recalling a 1950s dashboards, its engine-style finishing and its strap featuring a vintage Dunlop racing tyre-tread motif, the new Mille Miglia GTS Automatic Speed black – issued in a 1,000-piece limited edition – perpetuates the Chopard classic racing spirit.
