Lucent Steel, limited edition of 250 pieces
Lucent Steel stainless steel and 18K yellow gold models that are in line with Chopard’s sustainable development and social responsibility concepts, a limited edition of 50 pieces
Chopard launches the new Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 watch, dedicated to the famous legendary driver Jacky Ickx. This new timepiece results from the seventh creative collaboration between Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and the famous racing driver. This clock has a diameter of 40.5 mm. The body paint of antique racing cars inspires its lines and outlines. It has an exquisite “glass box” design and a midnight blue dial. The dial color is inspired by the man known as “Mr. Le Mans,” The color of the helmet of Monsieur Le Mans racing driver Jacky Ickx. The strap design is derived from the texture of Dunlop tires in the 1960s, a significant feature of this series for more than 25 years since its inception. A midnight blue style that matches the dial has been launched for the first time. There are two limited editions of this new timepiece to choose from: one is made of the brand’s unique material – Lucent Steel with at least 80% recycled content, and is limited to 250 pieces; the other is made of Lucent Steel Made of fine steel and 18K yellow gold in line with Chopard’s sustainable development and social responsibility concepts, it is limited to 50 pieces. Jacky Ickx and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele met 36 years ago. The two shared the same passion for motorsports and formed a deep friendship. Chopard pays tribute to the immortal monument in the field of motorsports with a new creation that collectors and lovers of exquisite mechanical masterpieces highly anticipate. Watch replicas.
Unique design inspired by legendary racer helmets
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Jacky Ickx drew inspiration from designing the latter’s iconic racing helmets to give the new model a unique aesthetic. Jacky Ickx believed that the safety performance of the racing helmets on the market at the time was insufficient and asked his suppliers to work with him to design a new helmet that could better protect the head during fierce racing. As a result, in 1969, Jacky Ickx became the first person to wear this one-piece helmet, making him stand out among his contemporaries.
This racing helmet was first launched in electric blue and has been officially switched to midnight blue since 1972. It has two eyelet openings, is covered with a sun visor, and is decorated with white lines because the shape of the helmet resembles an owl’s head. And was named “hibou” (French, meaning “owl”). With a very geometric appearance, this helmet has become one of the iconic pieces of equipment this legendary racing driver uses. It has remained consistent for 30 years and is even more recognizable than the racing driver’s racing number.
The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 chronograph condenses the symbolic elements representing Jacky Ickx, including the midnight blue unique to his iconic racing helmet used in the dial color. The calendar dial displays the date in white numerals. The dates “6” and “24” are shown in red, cleverly echoing Jacky Ickx’s six-time victory in the 24 Heures du Mans.
The bezel’s outer edge is engraved with a progressive tachymeter scale essential for speed measurement. These watch mirrors make the watch more beautiful and allow the entire dial to be seen at a glance, further highlighting the watch’s harmonious and balanced overall proportions. Compared with ordinary watch mirrors, the processing technology of this watch mirror is higher, allowing light to penetrate from the top and sides of the watch, reflecting shining light and shadow on the dial, making the dial layout distinct and full of three-dimensionality.
The detailed design of the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 highlights the competitive spirit of racing and the brand’s persistent pursuit of excellent performance. The watch comes with a specially designed watch box that displays the source of inspiration for this watch – a miniature replica of the legendary helmet. To further emphasize the significance of this collaboration, the sapphire crystal case back of the watch is also decorated with the prestigious hibou (owl) helmet pattern and engraved with the words “Time Attack.” Speed) refers to qualifying, in which drivers are timed to drive multiple laps on the track, and their starting positions in the race are determined based on their lap times. This stage is crucial to the final result of the race. Jacky Ickx once faced the unfavorable situation of starting at the end of his racing career. He could still finish first, achieving impressive results and demonstrating excellence.
Regarding this new collaboration, Jacky Ickx said: “This chronograph embodies the love that Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and I share for extraordinary timepieces. I also take this opportunity to express my sincere respect for the skilled craftsmen who have contributed to the creation of my favorite timepieces.”
Precision watchmaking movement awarded official certification.
You can get a glimpse of the movement through the transparent case back. This self-winding chronograph movement has been certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Observatory and has a power reserve of 54 hours. In fierce racing, racing drivers can feel the exquisite craftsmanship of the watch. The watch has a movement with a vibration frequency of 4 Hz, a stop-second function, a tachymeter scale, and three chronograph counters – a 12-hour chronograph counter. , 30-minute counter, and small seconds counter. As a close friend of Chopard, Jacky Ickx has won the Le Mans Rally six times. The brand uses this timepiece to pay tribute to the racing drivers represented by Jacky Ickx, who committed to transcending themselves. Them.
A strap inspired by the world of racing
The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 watch comes with a rubber strap. The decorative pattern on the strap is inspired by the tread pattern of Dunlop racing tires in the 1960s. The anti-sweat lining is reminiscent of the stains left on the road by fast racing cars. Black mark.
Chopard continues its long tradition of using rubber straps to embody a sporty feel. In 1998, Carl-Friedrich Schaefer and Jacky Ickx drove a Porsche 550RS Spyder racing car to participate in the 1000 Miglia vintage car race, which inspired Chopard to create watchmaking. The workshop’s creative potential is used to make rubber materials for the straps of Mille Miglia chronographs. With the birth of many watches in the Mille Miglia series, the trend of using rubber as strap material swept the watchmaking industry.
Today, the tire-patterned rubber strap has changed from the traditional pure black color to a blue that subtly echoes the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 dial color. The harmonious color scheme reflects the elegance these two gentleman drivers hope to express through these ingenious timepieces.
Mille Miglia Series
Fans of watchmaking and automobiles agree that cars, like watches, are masterpieces of engineering marvels. Chopard also shares this sentiment. Chopard became the prestigious Italian 1000 company in 1988. As the global sponsor and official timekeeper of the Miglia antique car competition, it has formed an indissoluble bond with the world of antique cars.
The Mille Miglia series of watches embodies the essence and spirit of what Enzo Ferrari calls “the most beautiful car race in the world.” Over the years, Chopard has continued to innovate and tirelessly express its love for cars through the annual launch of the Mille Miglia series of race-themed imitation watches, highlighting the competitive spirit of the 1000 Miglia antique car competition and the surging emotions it incorporates.