Chopard 1000 Miglia GT XL Split Second Chronograph
Chopard continues its proud associations with the world of classic cars with the release of a new watch with true motorsport heritage - the Chopard 1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Split Seconds. The Mille Miglia road rally event for vintage cars runs over 1000 miles of Italian roads and has become known as the world’s most beautiful road race. Chopard have been sponsor and official timekeeper of the event since 1988. This remarkable C.O.S.C. certified chronograph has a completely redesigned silvered dial with four counters: small second subdial at 9 o’clock, pointer date indicator at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and 30 minute counter at 12 o’clock.
As its name suggests, this watch features a split seconds timer, an intricate and notoriously difficult to construct complication which enables the wearer to measure split times or comparison time sectors through the use of two central second hands, one of which is tipped with a red arrow bearing evidence to its iconic Mille Miglia heritage. Using the pusher at 2 o’clock the chronograph is activated and the split-second hand can be stopped at will using the 8 o’clock pusher. On reading the intermediate time, a second push makes the split-second hand catch up with the central second hand and the two continue their movement together. To time events which begin but do not end at the same time, once the split-second hand has been stopped, another push on the pusher located at the 2 o’clock position stops the conventional chronograph hand to enable the two measurements to be read before resetting the function using the pusher at 5 o’clock.
Although completely contemporary in style and spirit the 1000 Miglia GT XL Chrono Split Second is housed within a traditionally elegant rose gold 44mm watch case and is presented on an alligator leather strap and it is perhaps in this blend of refinement and technical prowess wherein the appeal of this watch is to be found. The piece is a limited edition release of 500.
