Chopard has presented a new pair of Mille Miglia-inspired watches: the Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo and the GT XL Chrono Alfa Romeo models. Both pieces feature the winning black-and-red color scheme, as well as the signature “Dunlop tire-tread” rubber straps that mimic the famous CR65 pattern of the tires that were used by Ferrari and almost all British racing teams back in the 1950s and 1960s.
This new Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo collection is not the first in a long history of partnership between Chopard and the Italian car manufacturer known for its sports heritage. I can’t say that I keep a watchful eye on their affair, but at least five years ago they introduced another limited edition model: the 2005 Chopard Mille Miglia GMT Alfa Romeo 6С 1750 GS Automatic Chronograph that, too, looked extremely cool with its bold bezel and overall “F.U.” aura about it.
Just like the 6С 1750 GS, both models from the new collection are limited to only 500 examples and are pricey as well. However, trying to sweeten the deal, Chopard offers a couple of goodies with each timepiece: a jet-black PVD-treated travel quartz alarm clock that comes packed in a neat black leather “jacket” with contrasting red stitching and a cool-looking quartz table clock in stainless steel.
The collection will be available in two versions: the Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo sporting a standard three-hand dial layout and the Chopard GT XL Chrono Alfa Romeo featuring a normal tri-compax chronograph with a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour totalizer at 6 o’clock and a small seconds display at 9 o’clock.
As usual, the central chronograph second hand can be used together with a tachymeter scale placed on the bezel.
Both watches sport a small date window at 3 o’clock and a special magnifying lens built into the glare-proofed sapphire crystal.
It is also worth mentioning that the chronograph comes in two versions: in polished stainless steel and s/s body covered with scratch-proof DLC coating.
Chopard doesn’t say a word as to the movements saying only that they are made in Switzerland, but, because the watches are sold as COSC-certified chronometers, both movements must be of the highest grade available for a mass-produced device.
Frankly, I can’t say anything about their appearance besides the trivial statement that both versions offer adequate legibility as well as the superior quality of finish. The reason is simple: neither the XL nor the XL Chrono strikes a single chord in my soul.
See also: Chopard Classic Racing Chronograph limited edition
Photos: Chopard
Chopard GT XL Chrono Alfa Romeo Chronograph specification
Price range: $7940 (Chronograph) / $6100 (Automatic three-hander)
Movement: Automatic, COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date / Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date
Power reserve: 46 hours
Case: Stainless steel or PVD-treated stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Dial: Black and red
Numerals: Arabic (minutes)
Hands: Steel, luminous
Hour markers: Applied, luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Dunlop-inspired black rubber strap
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Sapphire
Yep, this is me. Just had my beard trimmed.
I am a founding father of this weblog since 2008.
Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.