iW International Watch Magazine

Chopard To Sponsor 2012 Mille Miglia Race

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:00:39 +0000

From May 16th to May 19th, Chopard will sponsor the Mille Miglia Race and unveil two new Mille Miglia GMT Chrono timepieces.

Chopard began its sponsorship of the legendary race in 1988 and launched the Mille Miglia Chronograph that same year. It was Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard and a fan of classic racing cars, who came up with the idea of developing a Mille Miglia chronograph. The watch design was to be sporty, and the movement had to ensure precise timekeeping during a race. In 1988, the idea took shape and the cornerstone was laid for one of the most successful and iconic Chopard collections ever.

More than ever an instrument clearly cut out for competition, the new Mille Miglia GMT Chrono 2012 ensures exceptional readability thanks to its oversized counters. Its mechanical self-winding movement also provides an extremely practical dual time function. This sporty and sophisticated watch is issued in two limited editions of 2,012 in steel, and 250 in rose gold.

This 42.4 mm-diameter timepiece features a satin-brushed crown guard, as well as the iconic natural rubber Dunlop Racing strap bearing the famous 1960s racing tire-tread motif. The technical, sporty case of this new Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph bears the emblematic “1000 Miglia” arrow as well as a nameplate designed to carry the limited-edition inscriptions.

Artistic Dials and Cases

Megan Samoskevich — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:42:20 +0000

Yes beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we’re willing to bet you’ll enjoy these watches. The beautiful pieces on the following pages are the result of exceptional artistic talent—and watchmakers (though often one person displays both abilities). These are pleasing dials and cases with a touch of something unusual, including rare enamel dials, striking skeletonizing, intricate gem setting and other interesting methods that convey a strong aesthetic sensibility.

Hautlence

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:41:04 +0000

HLc
The detailed setting and very fine white (or violet) mother-of-pearl dial of the HLc04 mixed with the in-house jumping hour, retrograde minute in-house movement creates a unique timepiece.The four lugs are actually screwed to the outside of the case, enhancing the adjustment of the pivoting strap. Price $63,200 and $68,500 (diamond bezel)

Breguet

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:39:56 +0000

Réveil Musical
The dial here performs a complete rotation during the 20 to 25 seconds while the tune is being played. The music starts either via a push piece at 10 o’clock, or at a given time that is pre-set by the alarm function. A disc carrying the pins replaces the traditional music-box cylinder and a metallic glass membrane, engine-turned by hand, amplifies the frequencies. Price $84,900

Vacheron Constantin

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:38:32 +0000

Métiers d’Art – Les Univers Infinis Fish
Subtle shades of blue and gray form a school of interweaving fish on the dial. A masterful combination of guilloché work and cloisonné enameling, this watch draws its inspiration from a work of art by Escher. The pattern is cut out from a white gold dial base and the eyes of the fish are meticulously engraved. Parallel curves accentuate the head, tail and fins, while the body of the fish is covered with shiny scales. Price from $99,000 to $106,000

DeWitt

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:37:02 +0000

TWENTY-8-TOURBILLON
The hand guilloche work, by Noël Bourdon, DeWitt’s master guillocheur, on all this firm’s watches is known for its bold contrasts. Here, a black-anthracite face contrasts with a light, cream-colored circle applique in palladium. Numerals, hands and central construction are in rose gold. Price $157,000

MB&F

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:35:50 +0000

HM4 Thunderbolt
The miniature paintings on the recent limited editions of the HM4 Thunderbolt feature two pinups, visible on the side of the pieces, which are named Razzle Dazzle and Double Trouble (pictured) are painted by Isabelle Villa, a well-known artist who takes about three weeks to paint each case. Price $216,000

Bertolucci

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:34:28 +0000

Gioco
This very limited edition (five pieces) features complex architecture, notably six overlapping bezels, each hand set one by one on the dial. The case is white gold and the case, buckle and bezels feature 159 invisibly set white and black diamonds. Interchangeable strap. Price $242,000

Franc Vila

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:33:06 +0000

FVt Nº 1 Tourbillon Planètaire
With its rich black mother-of-pearl dial and clous de Paris finish, and its red numbers, this flying tourbillon model of contemporary design features a five-day power reserve within its unique elliptical case shape and fast-wind system using planetary gearing. This is the brand’s first tourbillon designed with ladies in mind. Limited edition of eight pieces. Price $280,000

Bovet

iW Editor — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:31:48 +0000

Fleurier Rising Star
This triple-time flying tourbillon features all indications arranged with balance and symmetry. The horizontal axis of the main red, blue, black or brown guilloché dial shows three time zones; two secondary  time-zones are located at 9 and 3, alongside indication of one of twenty-four cities. The vertical axis also shows local hours and minutes. Price $338,000 (white gold); $328,000 (rose gold)