Richard Mille × McLaren
RM 65-01 McLaren Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph W1
The spirit of the McLaren W1 recreated in a watch
The McLaren W1 was developed as a legitimate successor to the McLaren F1 and McLaren P1. Richard Mille has recreated that development spirit in a watch with the highly functional chronograph, the RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Second Chronograph McLaren W1.
The McLaren W1, which served as the inspiration for the Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph McLaren W1, was developed as a successor to two great super sports cars: the McLaren F1 and the McLaren P1.
The design of the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 reflects the cutting-edge, high-performance characteristics of the McLaren W1 in terms of shape, materials, functionality, and the driving mechanism that acts as its “engine.” The development process fully embraced the shared values that form the basis of the partnership between the two companies. This time, Richard Mille has equipped the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 with the company’s highest performance automatic chronograph movement, the RMAC4. This movement operates at a high frequency of 5Hz (10 vibrations per second), or 36,000 vibrations per hour.
The high-frequency movement allows the split-seconds chronograph caliber to measure time to 1/10th of a second, and the movement also features a vertical clutch and two six-tooth column wheels, ensuring the chronograph function operates accurately and smoothly.
In keeping with the theme of speed, the RM 65-01 McLaren W1’s movement also features a ‘rapid winding’ mechanism. The movement is fixed to chassis mounting rubbers rather than the traditional casing ring. By simply pressing a dedicated pusher in orange quartz TPT, the 60-hour power reserve can be quickly and fully wound.
The RM 65-01 McLaren W1 is equipped with a robust movement made up of 480 parts and a variable-geometry rotor that can be adjusted to suit your lifestyle, making it ideal for everyday use. Its beautiful details, such as the grey electroplasma-treated baseplate and bridges with black PVD and grey electroplasma treatment, can be admired through the crystal.
“Wrist-mounted racing machine” completed
Richard Mille has applied the highest level of technology to the RM 65-01 McLaren W1, resulting in a beautifully shaped “racing machine on the wrist.”
Just as the McLaren W1 was designed to be the most innovative super sports car ever made, the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 is Richard Mille’s “racing machine on the wrist,” making it one of its most technically complex creations.
Like the bodyshell of the McLaren W1, the RM 65-01 McLaren W1’s Carbon TPT case (43.84mm x 49.94mm x 16.19mm) elegantly encases the watch’s automatic split-seconds chronograph movement. During the early stages of the W1’s development, Richard Mille’s creative team, led by Creative and Development Director Cécile Guenat, closely studied clay models to draw inspiration from the W1’s form.
The creative team was inspired by the striking design of the W1, which was based around McLaren’s unique Aerocell architecture, to create the distinctive “double” bezel. This indented bezel presented the greatest technical challenge in the development process, which took nine months and saw the creation of eight prototypes.
Inspired by the W1’s compact, muscular form, high waistline, and anhedral doors, the Carbon TPT bezel sits atop a second bezel crafted from brushed and polished grade 5 titanium, showcasing its sophisticated engineering. A distinctive cut-out in the bezel reveals the Carbon TPT caseband, adding depth and accentuating the watch’s contours.
The bezel is just 0.5mm thick at its thinnest point at the top, making it the thinnest bezel ever made by Richard Mille. Richard Mille has also developed a new skeletonized titanium dial design based on the McLaren wheel design, accentuating the details with McLaren’s signature colors, evoking the feel of a Super Sports dashboard while also enhancing practicality.
The motif is based on various components of the W1
The design and mechanisms of each part of the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 have been developed based on the design and technical themes introduced in the McLaren W1. The tip of the crown is decorated with a papaya orange McLaren Speedmark.
As the world’s finest driver’s watch, the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 features a “function selector” crown which, like a gear selector, can be used to select between three different positions: “W” (Winding), “D” (Date) and “H” (Hand-setting).
The specially designed crown is inspired by the driveshaft spline of the W1. Crafted from grade 5 titanium, the crown is partially rubber coated in McLaren Papaya Orange for improved grip. The tip of the crown also features a McLaren Speedmark in Papaya Orange.
The shapes of the chronograph pushers and high-speed winding button are inspired by wheel design details, all of which are set on a finely crafted titanium frame inspired by the cutouts on McLaren Super Sports.
The aerodynamic angles of the foils and ducts on the W1’s engine cover and ground effect spoiler are echoed in the pattern on the papaya orange rubber strap, and turning the watch over reveals the exquisitely finished movement through the sapphire crystal caseback.
Julien Boillat, Technical Director of the Case Department at Richard Mille, is proud of the perfection of the RM 65-01 McLaren W1.
“Through the RM 65-01 McLaren W1, the fourth in the series, we have once again seen the perfect harmony between Richard Mille and McLaren. We both use cutting-edge materials and pursue the highest technology. Ergonomics is a very important element for both McLaren and us, and it feels like we have established a unified design. The collaboration between our two teams and the resulting partnership have really strengthened this project.”
