Each year, the 1000 Miglia endurance rally has been setting the engines of legendary cars racing – as well as the hearts of classic racing connoisseurs. For the first time, it will take place in a new edition organised in December 4 to 8 2022, starting from Dubai in a loop crossing the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates thanks to the inaugural edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE, which will gather no less than 100 crews. As official partner of this prestigious event greatly anticipated by automobile aficionados from the Middle East, Chopard along with partner Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons are unveiling the Mille Miglia Experience UAE timepiece. Available in a 25-piece limited edition in stainless steel, this elegant timepiece equipped with a movement featuring chronometer-certified precision is directly inspired by Chopard's unwavering passion for motorsports.

 

Chopard official partner of the first 1000 Miglia Experience UAE

The inaugural edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE race – the first time this legendary event has been held in the Middle East – will start from Dubai and cover 1,600 challenging kilometres. One hundred crews will take to the wheel of legendary vintage cars and modern supercars to race through the seven emirates of the federation in a thrilling five-day race against the clock. A great opportunity for the public to admire these gleaming vehicles handled by experienced drivers. The start of this first edition of the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE is a new source of pride for this youthful nation which has within just a few decades become an important business hub as well as a renowned destination for luxury tourism. As the main partner and loyal official timekeeper of the historic 1000 Miglia race since 1988, Chopard is further broadening its enduring ties with motorsports and will naturally be an official partner of this first exportation of the "world's most beautiful race" to a Middle Eastern state. To mark this prestigious association, Chopard produced a special 25-piece of its Mille Miglia GTS Chrono model. Chopard also produced two additional timepieces specially engraved for the two co-drivers of the winning crew.

 

A chronograph delivering proven reliability

Like each model in the collection, the self-winding Mille Miglia Experience UAE is a reliable and sporty creation. It features a 48-hour power reserve, stop-seconds function, water-resistance to 100 metres as well as a glare-proofed sapphire crystal to increase legibility. It is equipped with a movement chronometer-certified by the COSC, a token of precision dear to Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.

 

The chronograph indications are highlighted by red-tipped hands enhancing the legibility of the central sweep-seconds hand, the 30-minute counter positioned at 12 o’clock and the hours counter at 6 o’clock. Subtly preserving the pleasing proportions of the dial, the small seconds display appears at 9 o’clock and the date aperture at 3 o’clock.

 

The bezel bears a polished black ceramic tachymeter scale with white lacquer markings representing the perfect tool to help racers calculate the average speed during the 1000 Miglia rally. The historic motorsport event hinges on precise timings — and that is why Chopard, precise and accurate in every aspect of watchmaking, continues to be the best partner for the race.

 

Racing in style

The high-performance Mille Miglia Experience UAE is functional and durable, but it also benefits from aesthetic style. The bezel in stainless steel with a black ceramic insert takes its visual cues from the dials and gauges of classic automobiles. The dial is adorned with the 1000 Miglia arrow logo recalling the enduring relationship between the timepiece and the race. Featuring intense grey and silver colours, accented with red touches, the entire watch has a strong visual identity.

 

The short lugs fit most wrists, and the design of the 44 mm stainless steel case takes strong inspiration from classic car design, mixing contemporary styles with vintage spirit. Even the calfskin leather strap is inspired by traditional perforated racing gloves and lined with rubber bearing a motif inspired by 1960s Dunlop racing tyres — a motorsport nod first included in Chopard’s 2018 Mille Miglia collection. Equipped with a polished and satin-brushed stainless-steel folding clasp, the strap is an integral part of the watch’s high-octane character.

 

The grey dial, obtained by galvanic treatment on a brass base, features a circular satin-brushed finish performed by dial-maker artisans. The famous 1000 Miglia ‘Red Arrow’ motif points to the semi-instantaneous date display at 3 o’clock — legible through a date magnifier. The hands and hour-markers are coated in Super-LumiNova® to further ensure the readability of both day and night-time indications — an essential feature when driving in the heat of competition.

 

An heirloom in the making

The Mille Miglia Experience UAE is more than just a watch. It is a beacon of motorsport pedigree and the sign of a motorsport aficionado. Ownership of such a watch shows a true passion for cars and respect for the community of driving adventurers of which Karl-Friedrich Scheufele is a proud member.

 

It is an heirloom in the making. The passion for racing is often passed down through generations, with the 1000 Miglia itself frequently raced by fathers and sons together. This watch is both a commemoration of the event, and a token to remember when your family ran the most beautiful race in the world, a talisman for several generations of gentleman drivers.