This time, the company introduced a pair of very nice replica Chopard Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph GMT limited edition watch with one of them (Ref. 168550-6001) featuring a very nice combination of black DLC body with rose gold bezel. Being an official partner of the annual 1000 Miglia race, the Swiss watchmaker introduces a new collection of limited edition watches every year. It is also very well known to servicemen around the civilized world, so you probably won’t have problems with proper servicing and maintenance of the mechanism.
Of course, this is not a new completely new watch. Chopard has been re-introducing this model for years offering it with the same tri-compax dial layout and an easily discernible GMT hand that tells time pointing at the bezel with its 24-hour scale.
Still offered in a COSC-certified chronometer version, it is one of the most reliable and accurate mechanical calibers that you can get for reasonable money.
However, it seems that was this year the company decided to change the movement that powers it. While the last year’s version was powered by ETA Valgranges A07.171 automatic caliber, this one is animated by a different engine. The company traditionally doesn’t reveal what kind of ebauche it uses for its models, but, judging by its technical specs (25 jewels, 28,800 vph, 46 hours power reserve and, of course, GMT complication) it is possibly the good old ETA Valjoux 7754 work-horse.
Of course, the lugs are traditionally long, so it would be a good idea to try it on your wrist before hitting the button, but otherwise I don’t see any issues regarding its size and proportions (well, it would be pretty surprising if Chopard screwed anything up in the design department, but these days you just never know). According to Chopard, the 2013 Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph GMT Limited Edition (Ref. 168550-6001) is issued in a medium-sized body only slightly larger than 42 millimeters in diameter and just over 13 millimeters high.
Created together with the Italian tuning specialist and coach-builder Zagato (the company that made its name by making ultra-expensive monsters like Ferrari even more exclusive in the literal meaning of the word), the Zenith replica watch inevitably bears lots of tiny Z’s on its black dial that together give it that sexy “carbon fiber” look, as well as on the solid case back cover that also sports the usual road sign-style “1000 Miglia” logo.
Even the chronograph, which is here mostly for ensuring a sporty look of the watch, seems to be easy to read, as well as to operate with the pair of push-pieces that are placed at 2 and 4 hours. The small seconds indicator, which is located at 9 o’clock, is also deliciously contrast with its white hand circling glossy black surface of the sub-dial with its sunburst pattern. As usual, the dial of the piece is easily readable.
Photos: Chopard
Chopard Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph Limited Edition (Ref. 168550-6001) watch specification
Price: $9900 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, ETA Valjoux 7754, COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 46 hours
Movement decoration: No data
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone (GMT, on the bezel), chronograph
Case material: Stainless steel, black DLC (scratch-resistant)
Bezel material: Rose gold
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Round
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 42.50 mm
Case height: 13.50 mm
Lug width: No data
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous, rose gold
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Black calfskin Barenia leather strap on stainless steel folding clasp buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Case back: Solid, DLC steel, Mille Miglia logo
It’s just too bad that the watch is limited to 500 pieces. It will be pretty difficult to nail you own piece if you don’t already have enough cash on hand: the best quality replica Chopard Mille Miglia Zagato watch is going to be offered with an impressive price tag of $9900 and I don’t think that there will be great discounts available.