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Why does Karl-Friedrich Scheufele love classic cars?
In a 2024 interview with Monochrome Watches, Scheufele traces his enthusiasm to his father, a car collector and fellow enthusiast. He says he learned to drive in his father’s Jaguar 3.8 Mk II. The family’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster also made a lasting impression; Scheufele said the car is now in his collection, alongside a 300 SL Gullwing. Those details are his recollections, rather than independently verified ownership records.
What appeals to him about older cars is their direct, analogue character: driving asks for concentration and a physical connection with the machine. The Mille Miglia gives that experience a public setting. “To me, it’s also about keeping the spirit of these cars alive and showing them to the public as well,” he told Monochrome Watches.
What makes the Mille Miglia a regularity challenge?
The event’s format has changed. The original Mille Miglia was a public-road speed race, held from 1927 to 1957, according to the 2024 interview. The revived event is a regularity challenge for historic cars, a description also used by Chopard. Competitors must navigate a route and meet timing targets with consistent pace; outright speed is not the goal.
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- Automatic movement
- Grey Dial
- Black rubber strap
- Deployant clasp
- Water resistant to 165 feet (50 M): suitable for swimming and showering
That makes the driver and navigator a working pair. Scheufele says a missed turn can cost a team time, and that practice and timing equipment help crews stay on schedule. Mechanical preparation matters too, but it cannot eliminate the possibility of a breakdown. The test is therefore a mix of navigation, timing, steady driving and keeping an old car functioning over a long event.
What does Scheufele remember from competing?
A difficult Bentley debut
One of Scheufele’s most memorable entries was a 1929 4.5-litre Bentley, driven with his then-fiancée, now his wife. In the interview, he recalled that the car had been restored, but not all the work had been done properly: the steering was unusually heavy, and axle oil leaked into the rear brake drums. With bad weather adding to the strain, he remembered it as one of the toughest events they had entered. It is a story about that particular car and rally, not a general verdict on Bentley reliability or restoration quality.
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- COMPATIBLE REPLACEMENT STRAP: Designed for compatible use with Chopard Mille Miglia. Please verify your watch model and 23mm before purchase
- 23MM FIT: Crafted for a secure connection and stable daily wear when matched to the correct watch model
- BLACK RUBBER MATERIAL: Flexible, durable, and comfortable for daily wear, with a sporty look that refreshes your watch
- REPLACEMENT SOLUTION: Refreshes a worn strap while maintaining a clean and updated look on your watch
- STRAP ONLY: Buckle, clasp, and mounting hardware are not included unless otherwise stated. Please reuse your existing hardware if needed
Navigation, companionship and the unknown
Scheufele also recalls competing several times with racing driver Jacky Ickx, with the experience often mattering more to them than winning. He describes the pressure of getting a turn wrong and remembers a disagreement with his father over navigation after they missed a checkpoint. In a regularity event, a small mistake can become a shared problem for the crew, while mechanical trouble can change the plan altogether.
How did Chopard become connected to the Mille Miglia?
Scheufele says a friend’s participation first drew him to visit the event. He then approached the organizers about a chronometer partnership or sponsorship. The organizers’ 2026 partner page identifies Chopard as World Sponsor and Official Timekeeper, roles the event says began in 1988. An organizer article dated 15 June 2026 says the partnership was renewed for that edition and describes its route as nearly 2,000 kilometres from Brescia to Rome and back; that distance and route refer specifically to 2026, not every edition.
Rank #3
- COMPATIBLE REPLACEMENT STRAP – Designed for compatible use with Chopard Mille Miglia. Please verify your watch model and 23mm before purchase.
- 23MM FIT – Crafted for a secure connection and stable daily wear when matched to the correct watch model.
- BLACK RUBBER – Flexible, durable, and comfortable for daily wear, with a sporty look that refreshes your watch.
- REPLACEMENT SOLUTION – Ideal for refreshing a worn strap while maintaining a clean and updated look on your watch.
- STRAP ONLY – Buckle, clasp, and mounting hardware are not included unless otherwise stated. Please reuse your existing hardware if needed.
The watches make that relationship tangible, but they are not rally equipment. Scheufele said Chopard had produced an edition for most event years, with two exceptions when it made accessories instead. The collection connects the brand to the event; the crew’s navigation and timing tasks remain part of competing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Mille Miglia watches did Scheufele discuss?
The interview’s watch details are from 2024 and should not be read as current specifications or availability. Scheufele discussed two launches with different relationships to the rally:
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- 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.
| Watch | What Scheufele said in 2024 | Event status described in the interview |
|---|---|---|
| Mille Miglia GTS Chrono | The official edition for that year; steel versions were offered to competitors with an event caseback engraving. He also described a titanium limited edition for the Italian market. | Event edition; the titanium version was described as limited to the Italian market. |
| Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph (“La Gara”) | Launched at the same time as the GTS Chrono. | Not event-tied and not limited, according to Scheufele. |
For a current reference, Chopard’s collection page lists the Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio-Blu 2026 Racing Edition as a 43 mm automatic watch in Lucent Steel. That is a distinct, current collection listing—not an update to the 2024 models’ specifications. The official listing establishes the model details, but does not establish retail availability.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- COMPATIBLE DEPLOYMENT CLASP – Designed for compatible use with Chopard Mille Miglia. Please verify your required size before purchase.
- 22MM CONNECTION SIZE – Sized according to the specification in the title for proper strap or bracelet pairing.
- SILVER STAINLESS STEEL FINISH – Gives your watch strap or bracelet a clean replacement look.
- REPLACEMENT DEPLOYMENT CLASP – Suitable for replacing a worn, missing, or damaged closure component.
- VERIFY COMPATIBILITY – Please compare your current clasp or buckle size, attachment style, and model details before ordering.
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.
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