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The Chopard Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition, reference 168580-3001, is a large, motorsport-inspired automatic chronograph distinguished by its COSC-certified flyback movement and vintage-dashboard styling. Its approximately 46 mm steel case is the defining trade-off: the watch offers a bold presence, but its dimensions make trying it on especially important. This review covers the steel model, not the separate rose-gold edition or the later 41 mm Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph.
What exactly is the 2016 XL Race Edition?
Reference 168580-3001 is the stainless-steel version of Chopard’s Mille Miglia 2016 XL Race Edition. Chopard announced it as a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. The related 18-carat rose-gold model is reference 161297-5001 and was limited to 100 pieces; it is a distinct watch, not a material option within the steel reference. Chopard described the launch as two limited editions powered by its new COSC-certified Calibre 03.05-C in its 2016 official video description.
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Compatible with Chopard Mille Miglia Racing 168619/589 168511 Watch Strap for Men Sports... | $45.89 | Buy on Amazon |
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Chopard Men's 168513-3001 Mille Miglia Limited Edition Grey Dial Watch | $9,999.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The “XL” designation matters. This is a much larger watch than Chopard’s later Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph reference 168619-3001. Chopard’s current product page for reference 168619-3001 describes a separate 41 mm model. Its dimensions and specifications should not be applied to the 2016 XL.
How large is it, and how does it wear?
Period reviews put the steel case at approximately 46 mm in diameter and 14.2–14.4 mm thick. WatchTime measured 45.92 mm across and 14.43 mm high in its 2018 review. That is substantial even by modern chronograph standards, and the thickness adds presence above the wrist.
#1 Best Overall
- Perfect fit for Chopard Mille Miglia 168511 Designed specifically for Chopard Mille Miglia 168511, this watch strap ensures a precise and secure fit. The 21mm and 23mm widths match the original band dimensions exactly.
- Durable fluoro rubber construction Made from high-quality fluoro rubber, this strap offers excellent resistance to wear, sweat, and water. It maintains flexibility and comfort even after prolonged use.
- Waterproof and sports-ready design The waterproof feature makes this strap ideal for sports, swimming, or outdoor activities. It resists moisture damage and remains reliable in wet conditions.
- Stylish black-black and black-silver options Available in black-black and black-silver color combinations, this strap delivers a sleek, modern look suitable for both casual and formal wear.
- Secure pin buckle clasp Features a pin buckle clasp for a firm and adjustable fit. The clasp ensures the strap stays securely in place during daily wear or physical activity.
WatchTime noted that the lugs curve downward, helping the case sit closer to the wrist than its dimensions alone might suggest. That cannot make the watch small: wrist shape, strap fit, and personal preference determine whether the XL case feels balanced. If you are unsure about a watch around 46 mm wide, an in-person try-on is more useful than relying on photos or the lug shape.
What are the case and dial details?
The steel case has a sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment over the dial and a sapphire display back. Water resistance is rated at 50 metres. The black circular satin-brushed dial carries a tachymeter scale, luminous Arabic numerals, contrasting chronograph counters, a red Mille Miglia marking, and a red central chronograph-seconds hand. A date window sits between 4 and 5 o’clock.
The styling is deliberately tied to vintage motorsport. Chopard says the dial draws on the look of classic dashboards, while the brown, vintage-treated Suportlo calfskin strap evokes the leather bonnet tie-down straps used on racing cars. The strap is paired with a steel folding clasp. Those details give the watch a more period-inspired character than a conventional black-dial sports chronograph, though the large case and busy timing display keep it assertive rather than understated.
How does the chronograph movement perform on paper?
The automatic Chopard 03.05-C is the principal technical distinction. WatchTime reports that it is COSC-certified, has 45 jewels, beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), and offers approximately 60 hours of power reserve. The chronograph uses a flyback function, with central elapsed seconds and 30-minute and 12-hour counters. Flyback lets the wearer reset and restart timing in one action, rather than stopping, resetting, and starting the chronograph separately.
WatchTime also published results for the sample it tested: average rate deviation was +4.4 seconds per day when fully wound and +3.7 seconds per day after 24 hours. Its reported greatest deviations were 3.3 and 8.8 seconds per day, respectively. These are results for that reviewed sample, not a forecast for every example. A watch from 2016 may have experienced years of wear, storage, or service; its current timekeeping and chronograph operation need to be assessed individually.
Rank #2
- Automatic movement
- Grey Dial
- Black rubber strap
- Deployant clasp
- Water resistant to 165 feet (50 M): suitable for swimming and showering
What did the steel and rose-gold versions cost at launch?
Contemporary sources do not give one consistent set of original retail prices. Professional Watches reported $9,800 for the steel model and $24,200 for the rose-gold model in 2016. WatchTime reported $10,000 and $24,690, respectively. The sources do not resolve why the figures differ, so they are best treated as historical launch-price reports rather than a single definitive price list.
| 2016 XL Race Edition | Reference | Case material | Announced edition | Reported original retail price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | 168580-3001 | Stainless steel | 1,000 pieces | $9,800 (Professional Watches, 2016); $10,000 (WatchTime) |
| Rose gold | 161297-5001 | 18-carat rose gold | 100 pieces | $24,200 (Professional Watches, 2016); $24,690 (WatchTime) |
Those launch figures do not establish what either reference is worth now. Present-day resale prices and condition-adjusted values are not established here.
What should a buyer check on an older example?
Because this is a limited edition from 2016, a listing should be evaluated as a particular used watch rather than as a specification sheet. Before committing, verify the exact reference, the condition and completeness of the watch, and the seller’s terms. Ask for clear photographs and, where available, documentation of service and operation. In particular, confirm that the chronograph starts, stops, resets, and performs its flyback function correctly; a movement’s original specification does not confirm its present condition.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- Confirm the reference: 168580-3001 identifies the steel XL edition; 161297-5001 is the rose-gold model.
- Assess fit in person if possible: the approximately 46 mm case and 14.2–14.4 mm thickness are consequential wear dimensions.
- Check the individual watch: condition, timekeeping, chronograph operation, and service history can vary with age and use.
- Verify the transaction: confirm what is included, the seller’s return policy, and any claims about authenticity or service before purchase.
Current stock, resale values, original-parts availability, and strap compatibility have not been established. Do not assume an advertised strap will fit the original clasp or that a listing’s asking price represents market value.
Verdict
The 168580-3001 is most compelling for someone who wants a genuinely large Mille Miglia chronograph with visible racing cues and a technically substantial, COSC-certified flyback calibre. The dashboard-inspired dial and weathered-look strap make its motorsport identity unusually explicit. The same scale that gives it presence is its clearest drawback: at roughly 46 mm across and more than 14 mm thick, it will not suit every wrist or preference. Buy for the design and movement, but judge fit and condition on the individual watch.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
