News

Jun 07, 2023

New: Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition

The Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ is a limited-edition luxury sports watch that combines the creativity of Chopard and Bamford Watch Department. Inspired by the

The Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ is a limited-edition luxury sports watch that combines the creativity of Chopard and Bamford Watch Department. Inspired by the legendary Italian road race and the adventurous spirit of off-road racing, this watch is a tribute to the passion and performance that drive motorsports enthusiasts.

Press Release information with commentary in italics.

The new Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ is an exclusive edition of only 50 pieces, available at Bamford’s official web store for £9,380 GBP (approximately $11,905 USD)

The watch features a 42mm case made of bead-blasted titanium, a lightweight and durable material that gives the watch a rugged and refined look. The frosted black dial contrasts with the bright orange accents that highlight the oversized numerals, the date window, the power reserve indicator and the bezel. The dial also boasts luminescent indices and hands for optimal legibility in any lighting condition.

The watch is powered by the Chopard 01.08-C caliber, a mechanical self-winding movement that is COSC-certified for its precision and reliability. The movement offers a generous 60-hour power reserve, which can be monitored by the fuel gauge-inspired indicator at 9 o’clock. The movement can also be admired through the sapphire crystal caseback, which bears the Mille Miglia logo and the limited-edition number.

The watch is fitted with a woven-effect rubber strap that evokes the texture of racing tires. The strap is secured by a titanium pin buckle engraved with the Bamford logo. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters and comes in a special presentation box.

The Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ is a super exclusive edition of only 50 pieces, available at Bamford’s official web store for £9,380 GBP (approximately $11,905 USD). This watch is a must-have for collectors and fans of Chopard and Bamford, as well as for lovers of motorsports and adventure.

Following a successful initial collaboration in 2021, Chopard is once again combining its creativity with that of the Bamford Watch Department studios to deliver a very exclusive edition of its Mille Miglia GTS Power Control timepiece. With its orange, grey and black details, its oversized numerals and its woven-effect rubber strap, the new Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ reflects the passion uniting Chopard with motorsports. These 50 timepieces are crafted in bead-blasted titanium – a light, yet sturdy material. Subtly combining sleek aesthetics and technical excellence, it is powered by the Chopard 01.08-C movement endowed with chronometer-certified accuracy.

Exclusive creative collaboration

Thanks to the collaboration between Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and George Bamford – founder of Bamford Watch Department – the 50 numbered timepieces composing the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’are distinguished by the attention lavished on every detail of this elegant sports watch demonstrating a deep-rooted attachment to craftsmanship and quality. The watch recently accompanied George Bamford in the desert of northern Mexico, on the occasion of the last edition of the National Off Road Racing Association, in which he participated aboard a Meyers Manx buggy. The Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ was able to survive its baptism of fire, thereby affirming its reliability, its precision and its ability to resist in a hostile environment.

Stemming from the creative dialogue between these two gentlemen, itexudes a powerful look and a sporty presence suited to any occasion. This contemporary timepiece features a robust 43 mm-diameter case made of bead-blasted titanium – an extremely resistant, light metal – topped by a bezel with a black aluminium graduated inlay. Designed to ensure a perfect fit on the wrist, its short, streamlined lugs offer optimum comfort complemented by the integrated strap in rubber. This material, ideal for competitive sports, has been reworked with a woven effect conferring an extremely refined effect. Subtly blending modernity with timeless chic, it is secured by a folding clasp in DLC bead-blasted steel. The screw-down case-back guaranteeing water-resistance to 100 metres is secured by eight black PVD-treated screws. Ensuring chromatic consistency, its transparent tinted crystal surrounded by an orange seal reveals the Chopard movement with its prestigious finishes and openworked oscillating weight.

High-precision watch engine

The subtle design of the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ houses an engine boasting equally remarkable precision and performance. Entirely developed, produced and assembled in Chopard’s watchmaking workshops, Chopard Calibre 01.08-C is chronometer-certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). This mechanical self-winding movement with its generous approximately 60-hour power reserve drives the hours, minutes, seconds and date functions.

A play on contrasts for a distinctive style Although this special edition is in grey, it also plays on contrasts. Its frosted black dial is lit up by touches of flame orange, a signature of the Bamford Watch Department studios. The oversized 6 and 12 o’clock Arabic numerals enhanced with black SuperLuminova© stand out against the dial, meeting motorsports’ inherent legibility requirements. With the same aim in mind, the large facetted dagger-shaped hands.

and applied metallic hour-markers are likewise luminescent. Just as a driver keeps an eye on fuel levels during the 1,600 km of the 1000 Miglia, wearers of the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’ will be able to check the power reserve of their timepiece thanks to the indicator provided for this purpose. This display is inspired by the fuel gauges of the cars competing in the race.

A word from George Bamford

“What an amazing experience doing the Norra 1000 with Meyers Manx for the launch of the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition ‘Desert Racer’. I was so pleased to say that I tried and tested it in the desert, on a desert race and the watch is built to survive on great expeditions and adventures. With this flame orange and tarmac black dial, the combination works in perfect harmony. I loved working on the Mille Miglia watch and when we were coming to create this one, I really wanted to have an alternative to the original Mille Miglia and that’s why we felt the Desert Racer would be the off-road cousin of the Mille Miglia.”

The Mille Miglia collection

As a passionate classic racing enthusiast, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele has always been convinced that devotees of fine cars and precious timepieces in fact share a single passion for maximum elegance and performance. Designed to time races, the watches created by Chopard feature a certified high-precision mechanism and sporty design. By customising a timepiece from the Mille Miglia collection, the Bamford Watch Department studios have delivered their own take on one of the most highly prized creations among gentlemen drivers.