The partnership between Richard Mille and Ferrari began in 2022. The two companies share a common aesthetic of respecting engineering and expressing it through beautiful mechanisms, and the second collaborative watch, the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, is a high-complication watch with a beauty that invites you to gaze upon it in detail.
This sporty black model effectively uses yellow, the color of Modena, where Ferrari is based, and the color of the prancing horse emblem, to emphasize that it is a collaboration watch with Ferrari. Manual-winding (Cal. RM43-01). 43 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve: approximately 70 hours. Water resistant to 50 meters. Carbon TPT® case (51.2mm x 42.9mm, 17.1mm thick). Limited to 75 pieces worldwide. Price upon request.
Edited & Text by Tetsuo Shinoda
[Article published in the July 2025 issue of Kronos Japan]
Richard Mille and Ferrari
Collaboration now in full swing
Watch brands deepen their relationships with partners from other genres and create collaborative models in order to broaden their creativity. Richard Mille not only works with athletes and celebrities, but also with companies such as Airbus Corporate Jet, but its main focus remains motorsports. The collaboration with Ferrari, which has now begun in earnest, will further expand Richard Mille's horizons.
Richard Mille and Ferrari formed a partnership in 2022. It was inevitable that Richard Mille, which bills itself as the "F1 machine of the watch world," would team up with Ferrari, the only team that has been competing in the F1 World Championship since its inception. Since both companies share many commonalities, including not only advanced engineering but also the beautiful expression of form and function, many people were excited to see what kind of chemistry would emerge.
The first collaboration model was the RM UP-01 Ferrari, released in 2022. However, because development of the watch had been underway for quite some time, the Ferrari influence in this first model was subdued. This is precisely why the second model, the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, has such a strong connection with Ferrari that it can proudly call it a "360-degree partnership."
The launch took place at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. The venue had a clean interior reminiscent of an F1 team's lab, and the presentation began with a greeting from Felipe Massa, a former Ferrari F1 driver and member of the Richard Mille family. Designers and engineers then explained the details of the watch. There was also a space set up where visitors could play with a racing simulator, which not only provided an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the watch but also highlighted its connection to Ferrari.
In the evening, a gala party was held. Ferrari's classic F1 cars were on display at the venue. The titanium and carbon used in the new model are materials that have been used in F1 cars, and this is another area where the two companies have something in common. The relationship between Richard Mille and Ferrari has deepened even further. There is no doubt about that.
Ferrari-inspired design
While watches and automobiles are completely different machines in terms of size and purpose, they share many commonalities, such as the use of advanced engineering and materials that take functionality into consideration. To create this collaboration model, Richard Mille traveled to Maranello, near Modena, and held numerous sessions with Ferrari designers. The resulting watch incorporates numerous elegant design elements reminiscent of Ferrari details.
Industrial design is made possible by a struggle between productivity and artistry. If productivity alone is considered, the design will be uninteresting, while emphasizing artistry makes manufacturing extremely difficult and increases costs. Luxury watches, on the other hand, are one of the few products that can pursue artistry even at the expense of productivity to a certain extent, and the same is true for luxury cars. However, neither Richard Mille nor Ferrari will give up anything in order to pursue artistry. This is why the collaboration between the two companies is so interesting.
Specifically, for this collaboration, Richard Mille has incorporated various surface treatments and finishes inspired by the complex shapes of Ferrari engine blocks and crankcases into the exterior and movement, while also focusing on enhancing the three-dimensional feel of the movement design by employing contrasting details.
The greatest feature of the design is the asymmetrical layout, with the tourbillon carriage offset at the 5 o'clock position. This creates a sense of dynamism. The space created by offsetting the tourbillon carriage houses a titanium plate featuring a prancing horse, subtly highlighting the collaboration model. Also noteworthy are the push buttons, the shape of which is inspired by the rear lamps of the SF90 Stradale. The buttons, which combine titanium and Carbon TPT®, are extremely precise and beautiful. The passion paid to crafting these small details has resulted in a special design befitting a collaboration model. This watch is truly one to enjoy in its details.
Cal. RM43-01 with split-second chronograph
The split-seconds chronograph, which has been used to measure lap times in motorsports, is an essential and important mechanism for Richard Mille. From the RM 008 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph released in 2003 to this latest model, it has been treated as an important technology that speaks to the brand's philosophy. What has evolved in the Caliber RM43-01?
Richard Mille and Ferrari share a passion for advanced engineering and motorsport, which is why the launch event devoted a lot of time to explaining the split-seconds chronograph mechanism.
The Caliber RM43-01 movement was developed over a period of approximately three years in collaboration with Manufacture des Seigneurs (formerly Audemars Piguet Renault & Papis), with which the brand has had a close relationship since the first model. The torque indicator at 1 o'clock and the power reserve display at 11 o'clock are positioned for delicate energy management, and are carefully designed to minimize impact on accuracy even when the chronograph mechanism is running. The split-second chronograph has also evolved from conventional mechanisms, with the shape of components such as the column wheel developed using computer simulation. The shape of the clamp lever, a key component that regulates the movement of the split-second wheel, was given particular attention. These advancements have resulted in approximately half the energy consumption and improved timing performance.
Even though the mechanism is delicate, it has been made shock-resistant to ensure it can be used daily, and here too Ferrari's technology has been applied. To increase durability, ribs used in engine parts have been incorporated into the movement bridges to increase strength.
Richard Mille has already produced many watches that utilize high-level engineering, but this time they have thoroughly refined the fundamental aspects of a watch, such as energy management and movement strength. As the saying goes, "The strong know the strong," there is much to be learned from the best in different genres. This is the greatest benefit of teaming up with Ferrari.
