Despite its macho inspiration, the company sells 60 per cent of its watches in Asia to women Family-owned jeweller and watch manufacturer Chopard is very much a brand operated from the heart. Its Mille Miglia watch collection is a direct result of the father-son duo's passion for vintage car racing. At the heart of the brand is three generations as a jewellery manufacturer, before Chopard acquired a watch division. Nevertheless, the nature of Chopard is very much as a watchmaker, according to managing director Roland Buser. The Happy Diamond collection, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, has been at the core of the watch sector since it launched. The Happy Sport series, which combines a steel case with mobile diamonds inside, remains a very strong collection. With a healthy women's watch market - 60 per cent of its watches sold in Asia are women's - the brand wants to expand the male market. Chopard has been associated with the Italian Mille Miglia race for almost 20 years, producing a limited edition series for each event. This year, Chopard adds a Gran Turismo XL to the line. The chronometer, with three hands, breaks with the chronograph tradition of Mille Miglia watches. The Gran Turismo XL is bigger than previous models, with a 44mm case. The COSC-certified (Controle Officiel Suisse Des Chronometres) chronometer movement is reputedly one of the largest self-winding calibres on the market. The watch has a power reserve of 46 hours. The dial features large, raised Arabic numerals at 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock set against a silvered background. A red minute track and arrow-tipped seconds pointer are reminiscent of the Mille Miglia race flag. A magnified date window is integrated into a glare-proof sapphire crystal for easy reading. The watch is available with a black rubber strap with tyre-tread motif or a leather strap. A rose gold version of 250 pieces is also available. Also in the Mille Miglia collection is the Jacky Ickx Edition 4, which, like its three predecessors, was produced in collaboration with the retired racing driver. The chronograph watch brings together three elements as requested by Ickx: a flyback function allowing the wearer to launch a new timing operation without needing to stop and reset the hands; a large date display and a 24-hour counter. The watch comes with a steel case and screw-lock push-buttons and crowns, and a black dashboard-style dial with three overlapping white counters. The COSC chronometer-certified watch is available in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. Another piece for men is a new-style L.U.C Tourbillon, which will be produced in a series of 100 pieces in white gold. This version of the watch has a movement with a two-part dial: the black outer ring features large, white Arabic numerals and the inner zone features sunburst engine-turned decor at the 12 o'clock position. The timepiece has a four barrel calibre with a COSC chronometer certificate that provides a power reserve of more than nine days.
