Promoted as “the most beautiful race in the world,” the Chopard Mille Miglia is one of the most luxurious classic and vintage car rallies. Since 1988, Chopard has served as principal partner and official timekeeper of the race. During this same period, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, the Swiss luxury brand’s co-president and an avid classic car enthusiast, has competed in the race.

As part of Chopard’s sponsorship, the company has unveiled a limited edition Mille Miglia timepiece each year. This year the brand issued a “full-black” chronometer available in two references: a bead-blasted DLC-treated stainless steel edition limited to 1,000 pieces; and a two-tone bead-blasted DLC-treated stainless steel model with a bezel made of ethical 18k rose gold limited to 250 pieces.

The 42mm case houses a matt-black varnished dial with contrasting yellow markings for the minute track and tachymeter scale, creating a retro appearance. Other dial details includes the “1000 Miglia” red arrow logo at 12 o’clock, Arabic numerals painted in vintage yellow Super-LumiNova, black-varnished counters with metallic-black counter hands at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, faceted metallic black hours and minutes hands, a metallic black red-tipped center sweep-seconds hand, and a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Scheufele says the black dial with yellow markings and lumen gives the watch a retro appearance. In addition, the casual, elegant nature of the watch allows it to be appropriate inside a classic car as well as throughout the day and evening. He says the versatility of the design is intended for younger watch enthusiasts.

“We had our younger clients in mind when we created this year’s watch,” Scheufele said in a statement. “Younger generations are increasingly interested in classic cars, and we’re seeing newly married couples as well as father-and-son tandems taking part in events such as the Mille Miglia. This year’s watch is very much intended for them.”

The sapphire crystal caseback is bordered by the 1000 Miglia logo and the unique edition number of each piece. The crown is engraved with a depiction of a classic car steering wheel. The watch is completed by a black, perforated leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a rubber lining featuring Chopard’s signature tread pattern based on a 1960s Dunlop racing tire.

As mentioned, the Chopard Mille Miglia 2020 Race Edition is available in two versions. The first is an all-black model in a 1,000-piece limited series. The second is identical with the exception of a rounded 18k rose gold bezel made of ethically sourced and produced 18k rose gold. Both references are powered by the same COSC-certified automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

The Chopard Mille Miglia 2020 race begins today (October 22) and will run till Sunday on its traditional looped route. It starts in the northern Italian city of Brescia heading south along western Italy to Rome and back north along the eastern part of the country before ending in Brescia. The annual rally is hosted by the Automobile Club of Brescia. Scheufele is participating in his 32nd consecutive Chopard Mille Miglia Replica.