Chopard is known for its endless love for all things automotive. During the last two or three years, they have introduced several beautiful sporty timekeepers (check this Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph GMT for example,) and it doesn’t look like they are going to stop churning out new racing-inspired chronographs and three-handers any time soon.
Coming in a flashy black-and-yellow (a color scheme, which is often associated with Chevrolet’s Corvette Racing team, although I am not sure whether the similarity is intentional or purely coincidental), the Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2014 (ref. 168570-3001) will not go unnoticed even if you plan to wear it with a Hawaiian shirt.
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2014 was officially presented at the Baselworld 2014 fair. It looks like an evolution of their 2012 Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and the last year’s Mille Miglia limited edition model, both members of their Classic Racing collection.
Still, judging by the specs, this is not just a repainted and refinished version of the older watch (a thing that some other major brands often do to boost sales). It is slightly bigger and is also thicker and its chronograph push-pieces feature a more imposing finish. The dial of the timekeeper was, too, a bit rehashed resulting in a more balanced, a tad easier-to-read look.
Of course, there is a certain “vintage” or maybe “classic” feel about the watch: it looks like Chopard feels a certain pressure from Rolex’s recently revived Tudor brand that, too, features layouts from the 1970s or even heavily based on designs from the 1960s. As a result, we have a clean, easy-to-grasp dial with a high-contrast color scheme and well-chosen typefaces for all four inscriptions printed near the relatively large date aperture at 3 o’clock.
Its slightly oversized 44.5 mm body (see specs below) is crafted from titanium. The stainless steel bezel features an insert fashioned out of anodized aluminum that, too, sporty finely printed tachymeter scale with its Km/h numbers dubbed with bright yellow dots that make the watch look even more appealing.
As the official press release states, the watch will be offered with an extremely comfortable black Barenia leather strap with yellow stitching that feels quite comfortable on a wrist, but it is the black textile NATO strap with three racing-inspired yellow lines on it that suits this sporty chronograph best.
When it comes to racing, the engine is what matters and the Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2014 again doesn’t disappoint. The watch is said to be powered by a COSC-certified ETA Valjoux 7750 chronometer movement that, while not visible under the solid case-back cover, which is stamped with the famous Automobile Club de Monaco logo, will make sure that you will enjoy the most fulfilling experience owning this watch.
For the sake of objectivity, I should have probably written about something that I don’t like about this beast, but frankly, I can’t find anything to get annoyed with (and I am getting annoyed quite easily). Well, perhaps the only thing that gets me is the price. Although the timekeeper’s MSRP is yet to be revealed, past experience tells me that Chopard will probably price it at some $7700-$8000 USD, which is quite expensive even for a watch of this caliber.
See also: Oris TT3 Darryl O’Young Chronograph
Photos: Chopard
WWR verdict
Originality 4.5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 3/5
Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono 2014 168570-3001 specification
Price: $7700 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, caliber ETA Valjoux 7750, COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 46 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Case and Crown: Titanium
Bezel: Steel, black anodized aluminum insert
Shape: Round
Size: 44.50 mm
Case height: 13.90 mm
Dial: Silver-toned, snailed
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Luminous, black
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black Barenia leather strap with yellow stitching or black and yellow textile NATO-style strap with a titanium and steel folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid, stamped with the Automobile Club de Monaco logo