Latest news with #RM43-01
Vogue Singapore
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Vogue Singapore
Richard Mille and Ferrari team up for a second, high-octane watch
The first time Richard Mille collaborated with Ferrari, many might have expected something that was related to race cars. The Swiss matchmaker's slogan, after all, is 'A racing machine on the wrist'. The RM UP-01 that debuted in 2022, a super slim design that was the world's thinnest watch on release, utterly bucked expectations. It's fitting, in a way, for Richard Mille, a brand that thrives on doing things differently. So when it came to a second outing with Ferrari, Richard Mille brought the surprise by going right back to fundamentals. Enter the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph, designed in collaboration with Ferrari, a timepiece entirely about superlative, high-performance function in the spirit of speed and precision. The new reference is offered in two versions, each limited to 75 pieces: one cased in grade 5 titanium, and one in carbon TPT. The former to express the style of a 'gentleman driver' and the latter for a 'high-octane attitude', according to the brand's casing technical director Julien Boillat. Richard Mille RM 43-01 Manual Winding Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari in titanium Courtesy of Richard Mille Richard Mille RM 43-01 Manual Winding Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari in carbon TPT Courtesy of Richard Mille The collaborative handshake between Richard Mille and Ferrari here might be the shared idea of a pinnacle, where form and function converge to create performance and beauty. 'In terms of performance, anything that has a technical purpose can also be beautiful,' explains Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari's chief design officer. 'The concept of functional beauty is something that we really love.' The timepiece boasts a split-seconds chronograph function, one of the most technically demanding to manufacture in watchmaking. To power it, Richard Mille partnered with Audemars Piguet Le Locle to design, over three years, the brand-new calibre RM43-01. Touted as a paragon of power and efficiency, this 514-part movement echoes the thrilling experience of a Ferrari V12 engine. Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton repping the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Manual Winding Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari. Courtesy of Richard Mille Under the hood, the RM 43-01 also benefits from the aesthetic perspective of Centro Stile, the in-house design studio of Ferrari. The engine of one of the legendary marque's cars may roar, but the details on this timepiece are more akin to a purr for a connoisseur. Baseplates have a metallic finish that echoes sandcast engine components, X-shaped supports and raised ridges nod to parts on Ferrari engine blocks, Richard Mille's typical spline screws are replaced with hexagonal screws like the ones found on Ferrari engine covers, and the holes on the barrel's jewel setting recalls the clutch wheel of a V8 engine. Even the bezel, crown, hands, pushers and rubber strap take their cue from Ferrari's stylebook. Courtesy of Richard Mille Courtesy of Richard Mille Courtesy of Richard Mille But the details that most naturally fit a supercar's design morphology might be ones that Richard Mille has long had. If you're familiar with the hallmarks of a Richard Mille dial, you might be acquainted with the configuration of power reserve, torque and winding function indicators—details that preternaturally evoke an automotive's dashboard and gearbox. A racing machine indeed, and now in more ways than one. Pre-order your copy of the Vogue Man 'Gold' issue online or pick it up on newsstands from 13 June 2025.
Tatler Asia
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Tatler Asia
Every second counts: Richard Mille and Ferrari's latest masterpiece fuses precision with power
The heart of the RM 43-01—its movement—represents horological engineering at its zenith. The manual-winding calibre RM43‑01 integrates a split-seconds chronograph with a tourbillon, one of the most challenging combinations in contemporary watchmaking. Engineered from the ground up over three years in collaboration with Richard Mille's long-time partner Audemars Piguet Le Locle (APLL), the movement achieves a level of precision that matters not just theoretically but in the practical measurement of critical intervals—exactly as required in F1 timing. Exceptionally lightweight yet strong, its intricate architecture rests on a highly skeletonised grade 5 titanium baseplate with bridges produced from both titanium and carbon TPT. This engineering marvel delivers 70 hours of power reserve, indicated at 2 o'clock on a 5N PVD titanium dial. The quality of this energy is visible through a second dial via the torque indicator, with a function selector indicator completing this technical dashboard. The chronograph mechanism employs a column wheel system with vertical coupling, ensuring instant start with zero hesitation when activated—a direct parallel to the launch control systems in Ferrari's racing vehicles. The split-seconds function allows for intermediate timing with precision, crucial in a sport where fractional measurements determine victory or defeat. The off-centre tourbillon escapement with a titanium carriage brings kinetic energy to the watch, enhanced by an innovative active seconds display using five radial blades read against a 12-second index. The tourbillon cage itself weighs mere fractions of a gram despite containing multiple components—an exercise in micro‑engineering that mirrors Ferrari's weight reduction strategies. The material innovation is equally impressive. The baseplate and bridges undergo more than 50 hours of critical machining and finishing operations, achieving tolerances measured in microns—the same exacting standards applied to F1 engine components. Through intensive research and development and computer simulations, APLL developed a new generation of components optimised for power consumption, while delivering more consistent torque levels throughout the power reserve. 'Our work as movement manufacturers is becoming increasingly scientific, which is helping us create components that are even more durable while delivering even better performance,' explains Salvador Arbona, technical director for movements at Richard Mille. The finishing of these components further establishes the Ferrari connection: the metallic finish of the baseplate echoes the industrial precision of sandcast engine components, while microblasted bridges recall the toughened matt surface of Ferrari engine covers. Angular structures with raised ridges, contrasting tonalities, and tiny X-shaped supports, interspersed with golden hexagonal socket-head screws, directly reference patterns and details found on Ferrari engine blocks and crankcases. On the front, the clutch wheel of a V8 engine informs the design of the barrel jewel setting, while dynamic, angular exterior details from models such as the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, Daytona SP3, and SF90 Stradale influence elements of the case styling, pushers, and indexes. The skeletonised 30-minute totaliser dominates the dial like a tachometer on a Ferrari dashboard—a dramatic, three‑dimensional lynchpin of the chassis layout.
The Star
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Drive For Excellence
Three years ago, Richard Mille and Ferrari shook the horological realm when they unveiled their first collaborative timepiece, the RM UP-01 Ultraflat Ferrari. Coming in at a thickness of just 1.75mm, the hyper-flat creation shattered the record for the world's thinnest mechanical watch, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of technical innovation that pushes the highest limits. So, when it was announced that the renowned watchmaker and luxury sports car manufacturer would be releasing their second joint timepiece, all eyes were on the two brands to see what boundary-breaking offering the dynamic partnership would deliver next. Contrary to what some expected, the watch Richard Mille and Ferrari revealed in March this year was not another ultra-thin endeavour, or minimalist, avant-garde design concept. Instead, the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari takes a form that's much closer to Richard Mille's iconic watches, while providing a profound expression of complexity, high performance, and deep synergy between the partner brands. For instance, the tourbillon split-second chronograph, Richard Mille's most complex high-complication format, was reinvented for the timepiece through extensive creative exchange between the two technical powerhouses. The timepiece incorporates visual and technical elements that draw from Ferrari's legacy. Heavily influenced by the rich legacy of Ferrari's engineering feats, the RM 43-01's design holds numerous references and motifs that point to the legendary automaker. 'The two watches we have created with Ferrari show that you won't ever know what to expect from this partnership,' said Alexandre Mille, brand director of Richard Mille, at the launch of the RM 43-01 in Paris, which Life Inspired was invited to attend. 'With this second release, the message is that from now on, you will always be surprised with the watches we produce with them.' The RM 43-01 Ferrari was launched at Palais De Tokyo in Paris, France on March 20, 2025. An evolving alliance The partnership between Richard Mille and Ferrari was first forged in 2021. Since then, the collaborative relationship between the two has only grown stronger and more intertwined. This is evidenced by the depth of co-creative involvement seen in the RM 43-01 compared to the inaugural RM UP-01. For the ultra-thin RM UP-01, Ferrari's contributions extended to design aspects such as the strap, dial and screws. With the subsequent RM 43-01, the partners worked closely together throughout the development process, from formulating the design to deciding on the movement and complications. 'On this new watch, the collaboration went a lot deeper, and the next project after this will go even deeper,' shared Tim Malachard, marketing director of Richard Mille. 'When you start getting to know each other and taking in ideas both ways, you can't not be inspired.' 'It's incredible going to Ferrari's Centro Stile design centre in Maranello and seeing the mechanical components like the gearbox and hydraulic pumps. They are amazingly technical pieces, and that's what we love at Richard Mille.' The result of two and a half years of development, the RM 43-01 was crafted and refined through creative and technical dialogue between the brands. Ferrari's 'prancing horse' symbol is laser-engraved on a titanium plate shaped like the rear wing of the Ferrari 499P car. Representatives from both sides continually exchanged ideas and challenged each other, spurred on by a shared passion for engineering excellence. 'The team at Central Stile would come to us with ideas for things they wanted to change, and we'd initially say no because we thought it wouldn't work. But, in the end, the things we thought were impossible, we did anyway,' Malachard recalled. Francesca Vernia, head of Licensing and Partnership at Ferrari, added: 'The more we worked together, the more we both learned about what we could and could not do, and the limits we could push, which resulted in greater quality.' 'The secret to our partnership with Richard Mille is that we don't have to explain to them that we want to push the boundaries in new products, because it's something they naturally do.' Homage to automaking Uniting the best of the horological and automotive innovation, the RM 43-01 is described as the embodiment of 'the essence of performance', where aesthetic meets function and passion drives invention. Limited to just 150 pieces, the watch comes in two versions: 75 in Carbon TPT, a lightweight and durable thin-ply composite, and 75 in microblasted and polished grade 5 titanium with a Carbon TPT caseband. 'We have two cases to express two distinct personalities: a 'gentleman driver' ethos for the titanium case, and a more high-octane attitude in the carbon version,'' said Julien Boillat, Richard Mille's casing technical director. Owing to intensive collaboration between the two brands, the timepiece incorporates a subtle but powerful array of visual and technical elements that draw from Ferrari's vast technological cache. Ferrari's Centro Stile had a key hand in the watch's creation, influencing everything from the overall aesthetic design, down to details like the crown, hands, and strap which bear the pattern of the automaker's Purosangue seats. The 'prancing horse', an instantly recognisable symbol of Ferrari, is prominently displayed at 7 o'clock and laser-engraved on a suspended titanium plate shaped after the rear wing of the Ferrari 499P. Upon closer inspection, further automotive-inspired design details emerge, such as the baseplate's metallic finish which recalls the industrial feel of sandcast engine components, and the microblasted bridges reminiscent of the matte surface of engine covers. The intricate angular structures within the watch, including the raised ridges, contrasting tonalities, X-shaped supports and hexagonal socket-head screws, were designed to mimic the patterns and parts of Ferrari engine blocks and crankcases. Elsewhere, the barrel jewel setting on the front pays homage to the clutch wheel of a V8 engine, while the case styling, pushers and indexes are a tribute to the exterior details of cars like the 488 Challenge Evo, the Daytona SP3, and the SF90 Stradale. 'Ferrari was very open to us taking inspiration from the mechanical engineering as well as the pure aesthetics of the car,' said Salvador Arbona, Richard Mille's movement technical director, in a press book by the brand. 'We also looked closely at the colours, materials and fabrics used by Ferrari. We were interested in the materials and finishing that would deliver a three-dimensional aspect in the movement. The team experimented with surface treatments, machining, and polishing. We played with the finish underneath with a metallic effect above.' Technicity in tandem Highlighting the automotive essence of the watch, the chronograph's skeletonised 30-minute counter takes pride of place on the dial, along with the tachometer, which represents a key component of modern Ferrari dashboards. Behind the counter, gears can be seen with silhouettes that mirror the jagged design of a Ferrari engine. The foundation of the RM 43-01, the tourbillon split-seconds chronograph, constitutes the seamless integration of captivating movement architecture and storied car racing heritage: the combination of the highly complex whirling tourbillon and the dual seconds hands for recording split times. Powering the watch is the new RM43-01 calibre, the newest generation of Richard Mille's manual winding movement, created in collaboration with the brand's long-time partner Audemars Piguet Le Locle (APLL) over a three-year development period. The RM 43-01 in polished grade 5 titanium with a Carbon TPT caseband. Designed to be exceptionally lightweight and strong, the movement rests on a highly skeletonised grade 5 titanium baseplate and offers 70 hours of power reserve, indicated at 2 o'clock alongside a torque indicator and a function indicator. An innovative active seconds display, sitting above the dazzling tourbillon escapement with a titanium carriage, features five radial blades read against a 12-second index. Each element in the RM 43-01, from the micro-components to the choice of materials, was considered through the prism of performance, similar to that of a Ferrari automobile. 'When we design a watch, we find new ways to increase the performance and discover new materials that improve durability yet further. I have to say, it was incredibly stimulating to have Ferrari as our co-pilots on this adventure,' said Arbona. Speeding ahead At the launch of the RM 43-01, former Formula 1 driver and the first Richard Mille brand ambassador, Felipe Massa, was present to help celebrate the new timepiece's arrival. Reflecting on his decades-long journey with the brand, he commented on the significant parallels between the worlds of Formula 1 racing and Richard Mille watches. 'In a Formula 1 car, everything needs to be perfect and precise, otherwise it's not going to work in the proper way. It's a very similar mentality when it comes to these watches,' said Massa. Richard Mille's founding was inspired by the technical brilliance of race car engines. Richard Mille's origins are in fact grounded in high-performance automotive engineering. The brand, founded in 2001, was inspired by the mechanical brilliance, structural complexity, and innovative materials that characterised racing car engines. This led to the revolutionary, visually arresting skeletonised movements that Richard Mille watches are known for today. It is this automotive-based DNA that makes the partnership with Ferrari a distinctly fitting match. Both pioneers in their respective fields, the two brands are closely aligned in their dedication towards scaling new technical heights and mutual affinity towards cutting-edge innovation. 'We have an obsession with ergonomics and comfort in our watches that is very similar to what you find in Ferrari cars. Like our watches, their cars also have incredible performance and reliability,' said Malachard. Another shared attribute that connects the pair is a passionately devoted customer base, he noted. Now in its fifth year, the partnership between the two brands is showing no signs of slowing down. 'We're now looking at the next five years with Ferrari,' he shared, adding that a third joint timepiece is already in the works. However, the watch is not expected to be ready for another 18 to 24 months, due to the extensive collaborative process involved in producing these timepieces. 'The easiest path for us would just be to take one of our existing watches, put a prancing horse on the dial, and sell it, but that's not what we do at Richard Mille. From day one, Ferrari understood that we wanted to dig deeper to develop these watches.'
South China Morning Post
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Style Edit: Richard Mille and Ferrari unveil the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, a masterpiece of engineering and design housed in microblasted titanium or Carbon TPT
When two icons of engineering – Richard Mille and Ferrari – join forces, the result is nothing short of extraordinary. Enter the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, the latest timepiece born from this powerhouse collaboration, designed not only to perform at the highest level but to look unmistakably Ferrari in every detail. Crafted with input from Ferrari's supercar factory Centro Stile, the RM 43-01 is infused with automotive DNA, from its sculptural crown to the strap inspired by Ferrari's Purosangue seat architecture. The case, pushers, and even dial components exhibit the same muscular look found in Ferrari's most iconic machines – think the SF90 Stradale or the Daytona SP3. It's not design for design's sake – every form is rooted in performance. Ferrari Formula One drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Photo: Handout Advertisement At its core lies the RM43-01 calibre, engineered over three years and developed with Richard Mille's long-time movement partner, Audemars Piguet Le Locle (APLL). Housed in either microblasted titanium or Carbon TPT (with 75 pieces available in Carbon TPT, and another 75 in Carbon TPT and titanium), the calibre rests on a highly skeletonised Grade 5 titanium baseplate – lightweight, incredibly strong, and visually striking. A torque indicator, function selector and 70-hour power reserve complete the technical 'dashboard', while an active seconds display with five rotating blades adds kinetic beauty. RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari in Carbon TPT. Photo: Handout But it's the finishing that truly elevates the RM 43-01. The metallic texture of the baseplate recalls the industrial elegance of sand-cast engine components, while microblasted bridges mimic the matt finish of Ferrari engine covers. Angular ridges, golden hexagonal screws, and X-shaped supports create a bold, three-dimensional aesthetic that feels almost like an exposed engine block as much as haute horlogerie. The Richard Mille tourbillon split-seconds chronograph has been reimagined with refined components that improve efficiency and power distribution. Photo: Handout The tourbillon split-seconds chronograph – a signature Richard Mille complication – is reimagined here with refined components that improve efficiency and power distribution. Through extensive simulation and testing, the mechanism has been optimised to deliver consistent torque across the entire power reserve, echoing Ferrari's relentless pursuit of peak performance. This is not just a tribute watch – it's a high-speed manifesto. One that bridges the worlds of motorsport and watchmaking with clarity, precision and style. As Ferrari's Flavio Manzoni puts it, 'Anything that has a technical purpose can also be beautiful.' The RM 43-01 embodies that philosophy in every screw, surface and split-second.
South China Morning Post
29-03-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari and Richard Mille: the racing star sported the million-dollar RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Shanghai for his first Sprint win with the Scuderia
The Formula One season has just begun, and Lewis Hamilton notched up his first win for Ferrari in the Sprint Race at the Shanghai Grand Prix. On his wrist was a Richard Mille watch, one of several the seven-time world champion has been sporting from the brand in the past few weeks since joining the Scuderia, specifically the RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon with a stunning gold edged Carbon TPT case. His teammate, Charles Leclerc , wore the RM 67-02 'Italy'. One of the perks of driving for Ferrari is access to these extraordinary, exclusive watches from luxury watchmaker Richard Mille, which has been sponsoring the Scuderia since 2021. The partnership yielded the incredible RM UP-01 in 2023, a concept watch, just 1.175mm thick. The ultra-complicated timepiece was an idea that was already on the drawing board before the signing of the partnership and is often seen on the wrist of music producer and Louis Vuitton designer Pharrell Williams The distinctive style of the RM 43-01. Photo: Handout Advertisement Their second partnership watch, the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, was introduced in Paris just as the F1 practice sessions were starting in Shanghai. With Hamilton and Leclerc otherwise occupied in China, legendary race veterans Alain Prost and Felipe Massa were in attendance. In fact, Massa was Richard Mille's first long-standing partner signing back in 2004, when the brand was just three years old, and whilst not paid, loyally wore their watches in every race. The new timepiece has been conceived with Ferrari's car designers and has more Ferrari in its DNA. The design reverts to the traditional tonneau shape, but with an aerodynamic profile that adopts the smooth airflow incorporated into the sports car design. The cases are made in either titanium or Carbon TPT (layered sheets of carbon fibre) – both lightweight. There were weekly meetings over nearly three years to discuss the integration of materials and details into the watch such as the pushers following the same shape as the signature Ferrari rear lights; design elements from the clutch inspiring the barrel jewel setting; and the crankcase in the chassis echoed in the titanium minute counter bridge, partially visible in the openwork skeleton design. The RM 43-01 in Carbon TPT. Photo: Handout The tourbillon has been moved to 5 o'clock to allow for Ferrari's famous prancing stallion to be engraved on a plate shaped like the wing from the F1 car to appear at 7 o'clock. The RM 43-01 comes equipped with the latest-generation split-seconds mechanism – to measure those lap times, of course, as well as to optimise the chronograph. These sexy new watches come at a price for ardent Ferrari fans: the titanium version is US$1.3 million and the Carbon TPT is US$1.535 million, each limited to 75 pieces. The price is down to the research and development with complicated components, explains Alexandre Mille, who co-runs the brand with his sister Amanda Mille and Maxime Guenat since the retirement of Richard. He points out how difficult these watches are to produce.
