We review the Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control. Given the rich heritage between Chopard and Mille Miglia- a classic car rally, the new release has much to uphold. With an in-house movement and a tough disposition, we were excited to have a hands-on to find out how exactly we felt about the watch. Does it live up to its classic car heritage? Or as some dissenters say, fall merely into the snare of an imposter?

A Porsche 550 Spyder of the similar vintage to what Chopard co-President Karl-Frederich Scheufele would drive in the Mille Miglia.

Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control

The Case

Sized at 43 mm with a height of 11.43 in thickness, the case is like any other modern watch with a tough disposition and sporty outlook. Its choice of straight lugs and thick centre case creates an almost industrial feel with no frills of fanfare. The stainless steel case is further contrasted with a black ring bezel that is surprisingly thin relative to the watch surface. There is a juxtaposition of brushed and polished finishing, in particular a polish shined finish on the side. A curve along the sides of the screw-down crown, like a mini crown guard mimics the shape and style of classic motor cars. While the case is utilitarian to the point of arguably little excitement, we have found the case back piece to be particularly well made. The lines and engraving work very well with the grooves for the screws and the capitalised font contrasts to great effect with the italics of the brand name Chopard.

The Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control pictured here in superb clarity, due to the anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal glass. We particularly like the hint at the automotive sports with the fuel gauge as the power reserve indicator.

The Dial

Our first thoughts were that the dial was too busy, with the dashboard like power reserve indicator the arrow on the date wheel and the large 12 and 6 numerals. However, after spending some time with the watch, we found the combination begin to grow on us. Despite the otherwise ‘decorated’ dial, there is an unspeakable legibility that is highly necessary for race car watches. Even though it is a race-themed watch rather than a ‘true tool’, we thought that legibility was a highly important factor given its traditional links to race watches. The sunken portion of the matte dial for the ‘fuel gauge’ is the highlight of the watch. While some have voiced strong opinions against it, we thought it fit pleasantly on the dial. The font choice was a suitable one as well, as it creates a visual stimuli with the colour contrasts. The red and white tipped seconds hand, red and white minute and second markers and the red and white fuel gauge, go to create this sporty race-themed watch it was built to be.

The watch houses an in-house Chopard Calibre 01.08-C. It is a chronometer certified by COSC, and has a 60 hour power reserve.

The Movement

Crafted in Chopard’s very own Fleurier Ebauches workshops, the self-winding Chopard Calibre 01.08-C is chronometer certified by the COSC and boasts a frequency of 28,800 v.p.h. Powering a 60-hour power reserve and equipped with a stop-seconds function, it displays the hours, minutes, seconds, a power-reserve indicator and date with the exquisite accuracy that is Chopard’s hallmark. The sapphire caseback reveals the movement which is driven by a tungsten rotor. While the bridges cover up most of the movement, we are pleased with the quality of finishing of the movement parts. It may not be exceedingly impressive but it is nonetheless a reward to any owner of this sports watch.

Seen here is a rose gold version of the Mille Miglia GTS Auromatic in rose gold, without the power reserve window.

Concluding Thoughts

Truth be told, we have mixed feelings about the watch. While all of us at Deployant unanimously love classic cars, some of us are conflicted by how modern this watch feels when put inside a classic car. Some of us think the contrast is great, but myself for instance have a predilection for a more classic looking race themed watch. That said, we have little to quarrel about the watch itself. It is a tool watch, built like a tool watch and is great fun to have as a beater. The Chopard in-house movement, which is based on the brand’s famous LUC movements is a big bonus. As well as the pricing. Singapore retail is S$8,470 for the GTS Power Control in Stainless steel, and S$10520 in SS bracelet and S$28,540 in rose gold. The GTS collection extends to a lower end automatic model for S$7,750 up to an in-house chrono for S$9,470 in SS and S$30,120 in rose gold.

To complete the roundup, here is the Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Automatic Chronograph in steel.