Today Richard Mille and Ferrari unveiled their latest partnership timepiece, the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph. At an exclusive media showcase within the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the brand emphasized its unique Formula One DNA and strong ties with the automotive world.

The second Richard Mille x Ferrari collab watch hits closer to home

Naturally for such a major launch, all of the Richard Mille second generation brand directors and key Ferrari personnel were present to share personal insights into the vision and development process behind the watch. They were joined by Felipe Massa who was the first of Richard Mille’s massive family of brand ambassadors. This partnership with Ferrari is set to continue into the next five years at least, with more high-octane collaboration timepieces already in the pipelines.

Richard Mille x Ferrari

Five years is not a long time in the watchmaking industry. But within this short span of time, Richard Mille’s partnership with Italian supercar maker Ferrari has already gone further than many could imagine. In just two short years after the deal was inked in 2020, both companies were ready to unveil the first fruits of their collaboration.

That was in 2022 with the insanely ultra-thin RM UP-01 Ferrari. Measuring just 1.75mm in height, the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari was no ordinary watch.

Richard Mille RM UP-01

It smashed onto the hyper thin category of watchmaking, like the Kool Aid man bursting through a brick wall, sending a message loud and clear. That this Ferrari partnership was not like any of the other Ferrari partnerships that came before. Richard Mille with its DNA rooted in Formula One, and Ferrari as the most fabled automotive brand of all time, no two brands could be more perfectly paired.

So after serving up one heck of an opening salvo, the journey continues this year with the next collaborative timepiece, the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph.

RM 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph

At a quick glance, the RM 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph looks just like any other Richard Mille watch. Indeed we’re not gonna lie, there had been some expectation that the second Richard Mille x Ferrari would propose yet another knock-your-socks-off hyper-avant-garde concept. The RM 43-01 looks almost tame in comparison to the RM UP-01. But ultimately this is Richard Mille for Ferrari, which means you should definitely check under the hood to glean its true essence.

A tourbillon split-seconds chronograph like never before

Thankfully this watch hides no secrets. Whether from the front or the back, all the components of the Caliber 43-01 movement can be clearly seen. To recognize the synergistic partnership between Richard Mille and Ferrari in this watch, you’ll need to delve into the details.

The latest generation split-seconds mechanism by Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet Le Locle

As a tourbillon with split-seconds chronograph, the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Ferrari is not the first of its kind for the brand. That honor goes to the RM 008, first released in 2003. Other split-seconds chronograph tourbillons by Richard Mille include the RM 050 Felipe Massa, RM 50-02 ACJ (Airbus Corporate Jets), RM 50-03 McLaren F1 and RM 50-04 Kimi Raikkonen.

RM 008

RM 50-02 ACJ

An Updated Movement

But as with all Richard Mille novelties, this watch arrives with a host of new technical upgrades enhancing the robustness of the mechanism. The RM43-01 is equipped with the latest generation split-seconds mechanism developed by Richard Mille and APLL (Audemars Piguet Le Locle).

Two 6-column wheels operate the different levers of the split-seconds function and optimizes the chronograph’s operation. It ensures optimized simultaneous movement, maximal function locking, and greater adjustment durability. In- depth studies carried out on the function of clamps also led to a specific clamp design.

Six-column column wheel, split-seconds clamp in 5N PVD

The traditional helical spring is replaced by a blade on the split-seconds wheel, a technical decision that reduces the variation in torque when the split-seconds function is activated. All of these developments considerably improve the timekeeping performance and halve the chronograph’s energy consumption by reducing arbor friction.

Split-seconds wheel with extra long pin demanding ultra-high rigidity

Then you have the skeletonized grade 5 titanium baseplate and bridges in either grade 5 titanium or Carbon TPT. Bridges have been skeletonized to the furthest possible degree with the objective to reduce as much weight as possible.

Bridge in Carbon TPT

Bridge in grade 5 titanium

These technical solutions give this complex calibre with its extreme weight to resistance ratio an impressive resistance capacity, tested at the Richard Mille manufacture for shocks of over 5,000g — a prowess for a watch combining a tourbillon escapement and a complex split-seconds chronograph mechanism.

The movement architecture builds upwards to economize on space; it was not the objective to go for ultra-thinness

Altogether, the new components have been developed to optimise power consumption whilst delivering more consistent torque levels throughout the power reserve.

Movement function selector

Power reserve indicator

“Our work as movement manufacturers is becoming increasingly scientific which is helping us create components that are even more durable whilst delivering even better performance,” explains Salvador Arbona, Richard Mille’s movement technical director.

Torque indicator

A new RM 43-01 designed with finesse

Ferrari’s Centro Stile played an instrumental role in designing various key elements of the watch from the general aesthetic to the details such as the crown, the hands, the strap featuring the pattern of the Purosangue seats, all representative of their stylistic influence. Says Francesa Vernia, Head of Licensing & Partnership at Ferrari, “This new watch is much more ‘Ferrari’” given the numerous references to the Italian supercars.

Embracing state-of-the-art aerodynamics, the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Ferrari is manufactured in two possible case materials. The first is in grade 5 titanium with a Carbon TPT caseband and the other in full Carbon TPT, a lightweight and durable thin-ply composite material we’ve now learned to identify as the go-to style of Richard Mille.

Bezel manufactured in Carbon TPT

Says Alexandre Mille, Commercial Director of Richard Mille, “We have a technical quest. The technical quest is always to develop the most resilient timepieces. It is what our customers expect, and it is what we like. Then there is the quest for design. Being disruptive and making sure we have an immediate point of identification. This is why we gravitate towards materials like Carbon TPT and grade 5 titanium because right away you see the RM DNA.”

Innovative seconds display with five radial blades read against a 12-second index

To further express the aesthetic synergy between Richard Mille and Ferrari, the design teams worked to enhance the three-dimensional effect of the movement. They used a variety of surface treatments finishes and contrasting details including 5N PVD on the split-seconds clamp and additionally some of the screws in the titanium model.

5N PVD screws

“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,” says Julien Boillat, Richard Mille’s casing technical director.

While aesthetic choices are drawn from the complex geometries of Ferrari engine blocks and crankcases, there are slight architectural differences between the two models given their divergent material properties. Compare the base plate of these watches, specifically the portion just below the 30-minute sub-dial: There is one additional screw in the Carbon TPT model because this material is ultimately lighter than titanium.

Clin d’oeil to the twin stars of Ferrari

A watch inspired by Ferrari

This movement is an evolution of the manual-wind split-seconds chronograph tourbillon movement that has been in the Richard Mille catalog since the RM 008. But the Ferrari influence modifies it to evoke the aesthetic feel of a Formula 1 engine. The baseplate’s metallic finish echoes the industrial precision of sandcast engine components, while microblasted bridges recall the toughened matt surface of Ferrari engine covers.

Pusher profile and shape inspired by new Ferrari tail light design

Angular structures, adorned with raised ridges, contrasting tonalities and tiny X-shaped supports, interspersed with golden hexagonal socket-head screws are a direct nod to the patterns, parts and extruded details found on Ferrari engine blocks and crankcases.

Signature curved profile for optimal ergonomics

The base plate’s rhomboid shape repositions the tourbillon to the 5 o’clock position and leaves more than the usual amount of negative space within the case. In particular, the extra-large opening at 7 o’clock was deliberately set aside to be filled with a titanium plate laser-engraved with the Prancing Horse logo. Microblasted and satin-finished with polished bevels, this component takes its shape from the rear wing of the Ferrari 499P.

The famous prancing horse logo takes up prime real estate

“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,” Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari Chief Design Officer says. “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.”

Manzoni’s words describe the Richard Mille watchmaking philosophy perfectly. That anything which has a technical purpose can also be beautiful. Because technique dictates design, as Mille thoughtfully shares, and one cannot help but feel the adrenaline buzzing with a watch like the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph on the wrist.

Tech Specs: Richard Mille RM 43-01 Ferrari Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph

Movement: Manual-winding Calibre 43-01; 70-hour power reserve (without chronograph running)
Functions: Hours and minutes; tourbillon; split-seconds chronograph; power reserve indicator; torque and function indicators
Case: 42.9mm × 17.1mm × 51.2mm; Carbon TPT / grade 5 titanium with caseband and pushers in Carbon TPT; water resistant to 50m
Strap: Black rubber
Price: SGD 2,295,600 (Carbon TPT) SGD 1,955,500 (grade 5 titanium)
Availability: Limited edition of 75 pieces per reference