The story begins in 2020. Ferrari approaches Richard Mille. The chemistry is immediate. High performance, rarity (around 5,000 watches for Richard Mille that year, and around 10,000 cars for Ferrari) – a "match made in heaven." In 2022, a totally unexpected UFO is born: the ultra-thin RM UP-01, only 1.75 mm thick.
Today, the two partners return to the basics. "The UP-01 was offbeat compared to what people expected from our Ferrari partnership. On the other hand, the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Chronograph with split-seconds is, in a way, more classic and embodies the racing watch we've always dreamed of creating with the Scuderia," explains Alexandre Mille, Commercial Director.
Created hand in hand with Ferrari, the RM 43-01 emerged from the synergy between the watchmaker and the car manufacturer. The first discussions began in February 2021. "We tried to understand our respective design codes, collaborate while respecting each other's DNA, and honor that aerodynamic spirit so dear to Ferrari, because a car has to be fast!" emphasizes Cécile Guenat, Director of Creation and Development at Richard Mille.
"A collaboration like this is as much predicated on similarities in values as it is on the visual similarities between a Ferrari engine or a component and the elements used in a watch. In terms of performance, anything that has a technical purpose can also be beautiful. The concept of functional beauty is something that we really love." commented Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari Chief Design Officer.
Split-seconds Chronograph: A Must-Have for Racing
The choice of the split-seconds chronograph complication was obvious. Salvador Arbona, Technical Movement Director at Richard Mille, explains: "The split-seconds chronograph naturally fits into the automotive world. It allows you to stop one hand to measure an intermediate time while continuing to measure the total time, which is ideal for recording lap times on the track."
For the engine, the RM43-01 caliber was developed in collaboration with Audemars Piguet Le Locle (APLL), a long-standing partner of Richard Mille. This new iteration continues the history of the brand's split-seconds chronographs, starting with the RM 008 (2003), followed by the RM 50 (2012), RM 50-02 (2018), and RM 50-04 (2019). Generously skeletonized, with architectural transparency, the movement reveals its components and functions. Made from a Grade 5 titanium structure, with titanium bridges and Carbon TPT®, this caliber offers a power reserve of 70 hours – optimized to meet the high energy demands of the complication.
In comparison to the base movement, "we changed the elements' positions to find a harmony inspired by Ferrari engines and Richard Mille. We moved the tourbillon to 5 o'clock, which is an unusal choice, to create a movement that expresses the idea of an engine," continues Cécile Guenat.
This modification freed up space at 7 o'clock, allowing for the insertion of a floating element engraved with the famous prancing horse, directly inspired by the lines of the Ferrari 499P, "the one that won Le Mans twice," recalls Gianfranco Saracino, Partnership Design Manager at the Italian brand.
A Spectacular Bodywork
The design work was meticulous, continues Cécile Guenat: "We aimed to create a fluid and aerodynamic design by removing, for the first time, the characteristic pillars of Richard Mille on the case. The bezel also descends lower on the case than on our previous models. We presented our proposals to Ferrari Centro Stile in Maranello, who surprised us very positively with their ideas – notably the shape of the pushers, directly inspired by the rear lights of the iconic Ferrari SF90 Stradale."
Gianfranco Saracino explains: "These lights demonstrate the balance between tradition and innovation and the modernization of iconic codes sought by Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari's Design Director since 2010."
The case design, offered in two variations (microblasted and polished Grade 5 titanium or Carbon TPT®) in Ferrari colors, reinforces the visual identity of the RM 43-01: metallic with classic finishes for titanium highlighted with red, and more sporty with carbon energized by bright yellow. For the record, 600 layers of fibers are needed to compose the case.
An Exceptional Mechanism, Exceeding One Million CHF
The sale price? CHF 1.15 million for the titanium version and CHF 1.35 million for the Carbon TPT® version, a premium due to the additional machining challenges of this high-tech material. Each is limited to 75 pieces and reflects Richard Mille's pursuit of excellence. "Price never dictates what we do. For us, innovation always comes first, with no compromises," concludes Maxime Guenat, Purchasing Director. And the brand teases that the next creations from this partnership will be even more unexpected.
