Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa

A timepiece inspired by the legendary pass of “the world’s most beautiful race”

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“You win the 1000 Miglia race at the Raticosa Pass.” It was in these terms that Enzo Ferrari evoked one of the most spectacular stages of the famous Italian race, which is also one of the finest driving roads in the entire Italian peninsula. Together with the Futa Pass, it is also one of the only sections that can still be driven as it was in 1955. Chopard now presents the new Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa in tribute to this legendary pass. Issued in two 500-piece limited series, it features a varnished black or off-white dial and an open caseback, allowing full visibility of the Chronometer-certified movement. This timepiece reflects the ongoing partnership between Chopard and the 1000 Miglia: an alliance built on wholehearted respect for classic cars, enduring support for motorsports and an unswerving eye for the highest quality watches at every turn.

Snaking through the Apennines, the Raticosa Pass rises to almost 1,000 metres above sea level. The road winds its way north, from Florence to Bologna and crosses the Alpide belt, from Tuscany to Emilia-Romagna. This area is known as ‘supercar country’, thanks to its close affiliation with carmakers including Maserati and Lamborghini, and has great historical significance. Among the iconic competitors to tackle its twists and turns are Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, who were spurred on to victory here during their record-breaking run at the 1955 edition of the 1000 Miglia. And it’s exactly this sort of extremely intense racing memories – implying the all-important need for meticulously precise timekeeping – that Chopard has engineered into its new Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa timepiece.

High-precision timekeeping functions
The 42 mm-diameter case is manufactured from stainless steel: water-resistant to 50 metres, it guarantees rugged sturdiness along with ergonomics and reliability. Its developers have given top priority to the fundamental racing values of practicality and durability. Ready to take on the tough conditions of the race, the dial is protected by glare-resistant sapphire crystal, merging spectacular design with functional utility. Finally, the chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC, boasts a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and has a 42-hour power reserve.

The chronograph’s functions are driven by a meticulous device installed at the heart of this timepiece. On the dial, the 30-minute counter appears at 9 o’clock and the hours counter at 6 o’clock. The date aperture has been placed between 4 and 5 o’clock and the tachymeter scale built into the inner bezel ring serves as the driver’s best friend, calculating speed based on travel time and distance. It’s an essential feature of an accurate racing timepiece and one on which gentlemen drivers can rely.

A timepiece with a refined aesthetic
The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa proves a perfect choice for an entire generation of gentlemen drivers who value both high-precision watchmaking and vintage aesthetics.

Its chestnut brown calfskin leather strap is equipped with a black rubber lining inspired by 1960s Dunlop tyres – a nod to Chopard’s passion for classic cars.

The dial itself comes in black or varnished off-white versions The Arabic numerals appear in the same shade of beige showcased by the hands and strap stitching. On the back of the watch, the open caseback is secured with screws and is bearing the 1000 Miglia logo, and a Raticosa inscription. Together, these elements create a watch worthy of Italy’s most exciting racing road – furthering the legacy of the Raticosa Pass with every meticulous tick of those rhodium-plated hands.

A collector’s piece
The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa Edition is much more than a mere timepiece; it symbolises the unconditional passion of several generations of men for motorsport, which Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele himself is proud to perpetuate. It is a collector's item, a tribute to a shining beacon of classic racing, steeped in technical brilliance matched by suave, stylish aesthetics.

Jacky Ickx once said that “the Raticosa Pass is a unique place where you recognise the real gentlemen drivers.” Now, like the inimitable stretch of racing road, Chopard’s Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Raticosa will do the same. Any man who wears this watch on his wrist will be, unmistakably, a true gentleman driver.