In the world of high-performance luxury timepieces, few names resonate with the same weight as Richard Mille. Known for avant-garde designs and complex movements, it pushes the envelope yet again with the new RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph McLaren W1, limited to 500 pieces.
With this exceptional timepiece, Richard Mille and iconic British supercar manufacturer McLaren continue to reimagine what innovation in horology and excellence in automotive mean.
It is Richard Mille’s most complex automatic chronograph to date, an assertion backed by its intricate RMAC4 movement. The high-performance calibre beats at a frequency of 5Hz, enabling the chronograph to measure elapsed times to a 10th of a second. Adding a split-seconds function further enhances its technical capabilities.
In addition to its mechanical sophistication, it is distinguished by its design ideology, which embodies McLaren’s engineering philosophy and defines the W1 supercar’s performance. “This project perfectly illustrates Richard Mille’s philosophy of constantly pushing technical boundaries,” according to Salvador Arbona, Technical Director for Movements.
With exclusive access to clay models of the W1, Richard Mille’s creative team, led by Cécile Guenat, translated its bodywork into a horological masterpiece. As a result, the RM 65-01’s aerodynamic lines and bold characteristics combine fine watchmaking and cutting-edge automotive design.
Its case, measuring 43.84mm x 49.94mm x 16.19mm and made of strong, lightweight Carbon TPT, echoes the automobile industry’s high-tech materials, reinforcing its status as a “Racing Machine on the Wrist”.
The distinctive “double” bezel, inspired by the compact, muscular design of the McLaren W1, took nine months of development through multiple prototypes to perfect. The 0.5-mm thin upper bezel demonstrates the watchmaker’s unparalleled finesse.
With its skeletonised titanium dial, influenced by the wheel rim patterns on the W1, the watch also fuses watchmaking and automotive engineering. Dynamic bursts of colour, particularly McLaren’s papaya orange, evoke the dashboard of a supercar.
At the heart of the RM 65-01 is the RMAC4 movement, a 480-part mechanical marvel designed for performance and everyday wear. In the boardroom or on the go, its variable-geometry winding rotor adapts to the wearer’s activity, making it as versatile as it is sophisticated.
The function selector crown, reminiscent of a car’s transmission selector, provides effortless switching between winding, date-setting, and hand-setting modes. By integrating such user-friendly features, Richard Mille and McLaren demonstrate their commitment to exceptional functionality and uncompromising performance.
Featuring aerodynamic patterns based on the W1, the strap combines style with practicality. Every aspect of this watch is precisely crafted, from the titanium chronograph pushers to the expertly finished movement visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.
As a symbol of what is possible when two titans of innovation meet, the McLaren W1 RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph is more than just a watch.
“The interaction between our two teams has become really strong,” according to Julien Boillat, Richard Mille’s Casing Technical Director.
Besides creating a spectacular timepiece, the collaboration also created a shared vision of excellence that transcends horology and automotive engineering. Ultimately, the RM 65-01 is more than just a timepiece. It is a testament to ambition, craftsmanship, and the lifelong pursuit of perfection. Additionally, it represents Richard Mille and McLaren’s commitment to innovation as both keep pushing the boundaries of watchmaking and automobile design.
This timely marvel epitomises speed, precision, and luxury.
