Car UK May 2019

22 CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK | MAY 2019

W

e haven’t used chronographs to time anything

important since Bernie was a boy, but they

remain hugely popular. A chronograph is

any watch with a stopwatch function: the term is often

confused with chronometer, which is a watch whose

accuracy has been tested and certified by a body such as

the Swiss COSC. Just to add confusion, a chronograph can

also be a chronometer. Three new limited-edition chron-

ographs have just been launched. Two of them are also

chronometers, and each has a timely story behind it.

Watches

Three chronographs, including 2019’s

Mille Miglia special. By Ben Oliver

Grist to

the Mille

01 I Chopard Mille Miglia 2019

Race Edition £5960

On 15 May around 350 of the world’s most

desirable pre-’57 cars will set off on the Mille

Miglia, and most of the drivers will be wearing

this watch. Every crew gets one, and the

remainder of 1000 made are available to buy.

The 2019 watch’s design is particularly sweet

with its broad chronograph ‘pushers’, and a

strap with a leather outer and a rubber lining

embossed with a ’50s Dunlop tread pattern.

chopard.com

02 I Breitling Premier Bentley

Centenary Limited Edition £6700

Bentley is marking its centenary with this new

chrono. Its partnership with Breitling goes back

to 2003 when they collaborated on the clock

for the first Conti GT. The new piece is smaller

and more restrained than most of Breitling’s

efforts for Bentley, and the burr elm veneer dial

is relatively subtle. Like the Chopard it’s also

a Swiss-certified chronometer, and the steel

version is limited to 1000 examples.

breitling.com

03 I Junghans WM-Edition

1972 Chronoscope £545

This new limited edition from Germany is both

cheaper and rarer than the other two, with

just 52 being made, but like them it celebrates

speed. Junghans timed this year’s Nordic Ski

World Championships and made this watch

to celebrate. If you miss out on the 52, the

standard 1972 Chronoscope (another term for a

chronograph, just to add further confusion) is a

good-looking, great-value watch.

junghans.de

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