A new timepiece has emerged from the workshops of Richard Mille, a brand known for its avant-garde approach to haute horlogerie. The RM 72-01 "Charles Leclerc" edition is a watch that not only tells time but also embodies the spirit of a champion Formula 1 driver. This model builds upon the existing RM 72-01 Lifestyle Automatic Chronograph platform, incorporating bespoke design elements and technical refinements that reflect the personality and career of Charles Leclerc.
Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque racing prodigy, has been associated with
Richard Mille for over a decade. His journey from karting sensation to a prominent figure in Formula 1, driving for Scuderia Ferrari, is a narrative of discipline, innate talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Richard Mille himself noted Leclerc's exceptional abilities from his early karting days, recognizing the driver's impressive lap times and qualifying speed. This early recognition led to a long-standing partnership, with Leclerc often testing new technical solutions for the brand by wearing prototypes like the RM 67-02. This collaboration has culminated in the creation of a watch that is a direct tribute to his achievements and persona. Nicolas Todt, Leclerc's manager, has lauded Charles's remarkable skill and daring, qualities that are mirrored in the design and engineering of this new timepiece.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The most striking visual aspect of the RM 72-01 Charles Leclerc is its distinctive case. Crafted from white Quartz TPT®, a high-performance material known for its strength and lightness, the case immediately commands attention. This material is composed of multiple layers of parallel filaments obtained from separating silica threads. These layers, no more than 45 microns thick, are impregnated with a white resin specially developed for Richard Mille. They are then woven on a special machine that modifies the direction of the weft by 45° between layers. Heated to 120°C at a pressure of 6 bars in an autoclave, the material is then ready for machining. The process ensures a high resistance-to-weight ratio, non-allergenic properties, and excellent UV ray resistance. Accentuating the pristine white are bold red stripes and a red caseband, a clear homage to the colors of the Monegasque flag, Leclerc's home principality. The tonneau shape, a signature of Richard Mille, is both ergonomic and instantly recognizable. It measures 38.4mm in width, 47.34mm from lug to lug, and has a thickness of 11.68mm, dimensions that ensure a significant presence on the wrist while maintaining a degree of wearability.
The dial of the RM 72-01 Charles Leclerc is a masterclass in skeletonization, a technique Richard Mille has perfected. This openworked design allows a captivating view into the intricate mechanics of the movement. Eschewing traditional hour numerals, the display relies on a tachymeter scale on the rehaut and printed markers for the chronograph functions. The color scheme of red and white is consistently applied across the dial elements, including the running seconds and chronograph counters, reinforcing the connection to Leclerc and Monaco. The hands and indices are treated with luminous material, ensuring legibility in low-light conditions. A particularly notable detail is the black crown, which is designed to resemble a tire, subtly alluding to the high-octane world of Formula 1. Even the date window, vertically positioned at 7 o'clock, is framed in red and white, maintaining the thematic coherence of the design.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
At the heart of this exceptional timepiece beats Richard Mille's in-house Caliber CRMC-1. This automatic-winding flyback chronograph movement is a testament to the brand's commitment to technical innovation. The flyback function, a complication particularly useful in timing successive events, allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single push of a button, rather than the usual three (stop, reset, restart). The chronograph features 30-minute and 24-hour totalizers, providing comprehensive timing capabilities. A crucial aspect of the CRMC-1 is its patented flyback chronograph mechanism with oscillating pinions. This design separates the chronograph function from the daily timekeeping, meaning that activating the chronograph does not affect the accuracy or power reserve of the base movement. The torque from the barrel is split and directed to the chronograph's various counters, ensuring optimal performance.
The Caliber CRMC-1 operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. The movement is equipped with a function indicator, similar to a car's gearbox, which clearly displays the crown's current position: W (Winding), D (Date setting), or H (Hand setting). This user-friendly feature simplifies the operation of the watch. The date display is semi-instantaneous. The automatic winding system utilizes a platinum rotor mounted on ceramic ball bearings, ensuring efficient winding of the fast-rotating mainspring barrel. The movement's construction showcases micro-blasted grade 5 titanium for the baseplate and bridges, materials chosen for their rigidity and corrosion resistance. This alloy, composed of 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium, is frequently used in the aerospace and automotive industries due to its superior mechanical properties. The grey electroplasma treatment further enhances the rigidity and ensures even surfaces. All components are meticulously hand-chamfered, a hallmark of high-end watchmaking.
Further technical sophistication is evident in the free-sprung balance with variable inertia. This type of balance wheel offers greater reliability in the event of shocks and during the assembly and disassembly of the movement, leading to better chronometric performance over time. The regulator index is eliminated; instead, adjustments are made using four small, adjustable weights located directly on the balance. The balance wheel itself is made of Cupro-BeNyllium (CuBe), featuring four arms and four setting weights, with a moment of inertia of 7.5mg·cm and an angle of lift of 50 degrees. Shock protection is provided by a transparent INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 system. The movement comprises 39 jewels and measures 29.10mm by 31.25mm in diameter, with a thickness of 6.05mm. The meticulous skeletonization of the baseplate and bridges underwent intensive validation tests to optimize their resistance capabilities.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The construction of the RM 72-01 Charles Leclerc demonstrates a holistic design philosophy where the movement, case, and dial are conceived as an integrated whole. This approach means that a casing ring is no longer necessary; the movement is mounted on chassis mounting rubbers (ISO SW) and fixed by grade 5 titanium screws, highlighting an uncompromising commitment to quality. The tripartite case is assembled using 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel. It offers water resistance up to 30 meters, ensured by three Nitrile O-ring seals. The chronograph pushers are engineered to have standardized resistance, meaning they require the same amount of pressure for activation each time. This trigger pressure has been carefully calibrated for a precise and gentle release, and the pushers are coupled with double-ratchet levers that balance the pressure and create an audible click upon engagement.
The strap accompanying the RM 72-01 Charles Leclerc is made of rubber, a material favored for its comfort, durability, and sporty aesthetic. It integrates seamlessly with the case design, completing the watch's dynamic look. The choice of a rubber strap underscores the watch's connection to the high-performance world of motorsport, where functionality and resilience are paramount.
The regular, non-Leclerc specific RM 72-01 Lifestyle Automatic Chronograph, upon which this special edition is based, already represents a significant milestone for Richard Mille as it features the brand’s first in-house chronograph with a patented design. It was conceived as a reflection of the soul, born from a desire for renewal and exploration. The brand prides itself on creating its own rhythm and tempo, never adhering to existing choreographies but rather inventing its own with each new creation. The RM 72-01 synthesizes the know-how accumulated by Richard Mille over two decades, weaving together tradition and modernity. The core principle of the CRMC-1 movement, the separation of the chronograph function from daily timekeeping to prevent any impediment to the base movement’s operation, is a key feature shared with the Charles Leclerc edition.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The patented flyback chronograph with oscillating pinions is a significant horological advancement. It splits the torque generated across the chronograph’s various counters, disengaging the display and connection to the minutes and hours from the chronograph’s seconds wheel. This system draws power directly from the barrel to supply the chronograph’s three counters. The energy is transmitted to the chronograph train by a coupling system consisting of two oscillating pinions mounted on rockers, which control the start, stop, flyback, and reset functions. These rockers are activated by a 6-column wheel, a traditional high-end chronograph component, whose construction optimizes the simultaneity of actions and the proper latching of functions while ensuring the longevity of the settings. This invention is less sensitive to disturbances and less voluminous than standard chronograph mechanisms.
The visual presentation of the RM 72-01 Charles Leclerc, with its predominantly white case punctuated by vibrant red accents, is both modern and symbolic. The way the red lines trace the contours of the case and the bold red of the caseband provide a dynamic contrast to the matte white Quartz TPT®. The skeletonized dial reveals the intricate layers of the movement, creating a sense of depth and mechanical artistry. The sub-dials for the chronograph functions, highlighted in red, stand out against the complex backdrop of bridges and gears. The black, tire-like crown adds a tactile and thematic element that ties the watch directly to motorsport. Looking at the watch from different angles reveals the complexity of its construction, from the layered TPT material to the meticulously finished components of the movement visible through both the front and the sapphire crystal caseback.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The RM 72-01 Charles Leclerc is a limited edition of only 150 pieces. This exclusivity, combined with the unique design elements and the association with a prominent Formula 1 driver, makes it a highly sought-after timepiece for collectors and enthusiasts. The watch was reportedly delivered to customers following its quiet launch, indicating strong initial demand.
The retail price for the Richard Mille RM 72-01 Charles Leclerc is set at $330,000. Given the brand's reputation, the technical complexity of the in-house flyback chronograph, the advanced materials used in its construction, and the limited production run, this price point is consistent with Richard Mille's positioning in the highest echelon of the luxury watch market. The availability is immediate for those fortunate enough to secure an allocation.
Case: White Quartz TPT with red accents and stripes; Dimensions: 38.4mm (width) x 47.34mm (end to end) x 11.68mm (thickness); Water resistance: 30 meters.
Movement: Richard Mille Caliber CRMC-1; Automatic winding in-house flyback chronograph; Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronograph with 60-minute and 24-hour counters, function indicator, stop seconds; Power reserve: Approximately 50 hours; Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz); Jewels: 39; Micro-blasted and hand-chamfered; CuBe balance; INCABLOC shock protection.
Dial: Skeletonized; Tachymeter rehaut and printed display; Luminous hands and indices.
Strap: Rubber strap.
Price: $330,000
Reference Number: RM72-01 Charles Leclerc
Notes: Limited edition of 150 pieces. Features a patented flyback chronograph with oscillating pinions. Design elements nod to the Monegasque flag in honor of Charles Leclerc.