Chopard x Jacky Ickx: Introducing the New Limited Edition Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 Variants

The new chronographs from Chopard reflect the soul of the Mille Miglia series. Inspired by the characteristic blue helmets that had been used by six times Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx since 1972, the new model is available in two limited editions: Ref. 168619-3006 in Lucent Steel™ (Chopard's proprietary steel alloy), restricted to 250 pieces, and the 50-piece Ref. 168619-4002 in Lucent Steel™ and ethical 18 ct yellow gold.

Chopard became the official timekeeper of the Mille Miglia race in 1988. This partnership inspired the creation of the Mille Miglia watch collection, which has become one of the brand’s most identifiable offerings over the years. Every year, since the partnership began, Chopard has been releasing a limited-edition watch to commemorate the event, making these pieces particularly appealing to collectors. Essentially, this collection pays homage to the Mille Miglia race, a legendary endurance event that ran from 1927 to 1957 — considered the original 24 editions — in Italy, covering a thousand miles from Brescia to Rome and back. The race is now held in other parts of the world as well.

The case of the new Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph measures 40.5 mm in diameter and 12.88 mm in thickness, and is water-resistant for up to 50 metres. The chronograph pushers have a knurled pattern, suggestive of brake pedals, and the large notched crown is decorated with a vintage steering wheel design. The polished bezel, the crown at 3 o’clock, and the chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock are either crafted in Lucent Steel™ or in yellow gold, while the lugs are welded in Lucent Steel™. The casing is finished with a glassbox-style sapphire crystal, which adds to the watch's retro appearance.

The limited-edition collection has a midnight blue lacquer dial with a round satin finish, a black tachymeter scale on the silvery-white flange, and a minute track with white markings. The prominent Arabic numerals in the trademark typeface as well as the dot hour markers at 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock are coated with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova to improve visibility in low-light circumstances.

The recessed and snailed subdials for the 60-seconds counter are at 3 o'clock, while the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and the 30-minute counter at 9 o'clock are distinguished by white chapter rings. The red Mille Miglia emblem stands out at 12 o’clock, as does the crimson tip of the second hand on the central chronograph. In the Lucent Steel™ and yellow gold model, all hands are rhodium-plated or gilded, while the baton-style hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova. A small date window at 4:30 completes the practical aspects of the dial, which is flawlessly legible and balanced. The date numbers 6 and 24 are accentuated in red as a subtle tribute to Jacky Ickx's six 24 Hours of Le Mans wins.

The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 is powered by a COSC-certified automatic modular chronograph movement with a 54-hour power reserve. The watch's exhibition caseback features Jacky Ickx's midnight blue "owl" two-window helmet with the words, 'Time Attack”; the driver's name is printed on the sapphire crystal. The metal component is embossed with the Mille Miglia insignia and notes the limited edition. The new Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 is paired with a midnight blue 1960s Dunlop tyre-tread pattern rubber strap, which matches the dial. The strap is secured with a pin buckle. What’s more, each JX7 comes in a special presentation box with a miniature reproduction of the legendary helmet.