New this year from Chopard is the Superfast – an update to the Mille Miglia sports watches that the brand released in the mid 2000’s. Chopard’s Superfast watch hails from the Classic Racing Collection. Chopard has been a force to reckon with since its birth in 1860 in the town of Sonviller, Switzerland. It was here that company founder Louis Ulysse Chopard opened his first workshop. Chopard’s watches grew in popularity where they have remained until today.
The Superfast is forged from 18kt rose gold. This metal is chosen, not only because it is the hardest alloy of gold, but also because of its warm tone when placed on skin. The diameter of the watch comes in at a relatively oversized 45mm, conversely the Superfast carries a thickness of 15.18mm which is quite thick. The screwed in main crown and flat chronograph pushers are made from both 18kt rose gold and stainless steel. The main crown is ridged for a better grip when unscrewing the crown for the setting of either the date or time. The stationary bezel is engraved with a tachometric scale. Tachometric scales are used to determine average speed in accordance with the chronograph. The Superfast watch is certified a chronometer by the COSC.
The case back is made from see through sapphire crystal revealing the highly decorated movement. The movement Calibre 0305M is self-winding and uses a heavy metal oscillating rotor for the winding of this piece. Also of note, is the four spoked balance wheel outfitted with a micro-regulator with screws. The movement features a see-through engine finish and a circular grained mainplate. The movement beats at a constant 28,800 Vph (4 Hz) ensuring the accuracy of this watch is maintained. This watch from Chopard is equipped with a 60 hour power reserve.
The dial isn’t left out and is decorated with a Cotes de Genève motif and applied, luminous indexes and Arabic numeral 12 for the hour markers. The chronograph subdials for the minutes and hours are located at the 3 and 9 positions respectively. The chronograph hands are red making them easily identifiable for at-a-glance readouts of this complication. The Chronograph carries an impressive Flyback function for the successive timing of events without the need to stop and return to zero. The small seconds register is located in a smaller subdial at the 6 o’clock position. On the flange is a very prominent minute track adding to the already impressive degree of legibility on this timepiece. Completing the dial is a date aperture at the 4:30 position.
This watch uses a black rubber strap with a slick tire profile which is secured with a 18kt rose gold folding clasp. The dial window on this model is also crafted from sapphire crystal which is chosen for its scratch resistance. The Chopard Superfast is water resistant to 100 meters and is protected by a two year international warranty.
TAGS: Automatic Watches, Chronographs, COSC, Date, Exhibition Case Back, Flyback, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Rose Gold, Rubber, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Swiss Made, Tachymeter, Water Resistant