Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Jacky Ickx pays homage to the legendary racer

Chopard has unveiled a new timepiece, the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 (Jacky Ickx), in honour of the Maison's legendary ambassador, Jacky Ickx.

The result of Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's seventh creative collaboration with the renowned racer, this 40.5mm chronograph features lines inspired by classic car bodywork, a beautiful 'glass box' crystal, and a midnight blue dial inspired by the helmet color of the "King of Le Mans." The rubber strap, featuring the tread pattern of a 1960s Dunlop tire that has adorned the collection for over 25 years, is now available in a matching midnight blue for the first time.

Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 (Jacky Ickx)

　This model consists of two exclusive limited editions: one limited to 250 pieces, crafted in LucentSteel™, Chopard's exclusive steel alloy, which has excellent properties and is made from more than 80% recycled materials, and the other limited to 50 pieces, crafted in LucentSteel™ and 18K ethical yellow gold. Paying homage to the true friendship forged over 36 years between Jacky Ickx and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, who share a passion for motorsport, and to the great masters of the racing world, this creation is sure to be coveted by collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate beautiful mechanics.

　The Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 features several symbols evocative of Jacky Ickx, and the dial's midnight hue, which complements the color of his helmet, enhances the beauty of the dial. The Super-LumiNova® coating on the hour and minute hands ensures optimal readability day and night. The date display features white numerals, while the 6 and 24 numbers are set off in red, a nod to Ickx's six victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The legendary helmet at the heart of the design

　To highlight the appeal of this new timepiece, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Jacky Ickx were inspired by the design aesthetic of Ickx's iconic helmet. Jacky Ickx stood out among racers of his time in many ways, but he was also the first to wear a full-face helmet in 1969. Ickx had doubts about the safety of helmets at the time, and in response to his requests, his supplier at the time designed a helmet that would provide better head protection during competitions.

　This helmet was initially available in electric blue, but was later changed to midnight blue from 1972 onwards. Nicknamed "Owl" due to its design, which featured two windows protected by a visor outlined in white, it became Jacky Ickx's signature helmet, and the same graphic design was maintained for 30 years, helping to identify racers more than the chassis number.

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　The qualifying session, known as "Time Attack," measures the time taken by racers to complete a lap around the circuit, which determines the starting grid and has a major impact on the race outcome. Jacky Ickx proved during his career that he could cross the start line last in one race and then finish first.

Glass Box

　The inner bezel features a graduated tachymeter scale, essential for speed calculations, while the dial is protected by a 'glass box' sapphire crystal fixed to the slim bezel. This type of 'glass box' crystal was widely used from the 1930s through to the 60s, and it gives the dial a sense of perspective, enhancing its crisp aesthetic and enhancing the harmonious proportions of the watch. More complex to machine than regular sapphire crystal, this crystal maximises the depth of the aperture, allowing light entering from above and the sides to elegantly reflect onto the dial.