CONFIRMED:Richard Mille and F1 Star Charles Leclerc Have Dropped a… read more
Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc may not have secured a race win this season, but he’s making a strong statement off the track with the debut of a new luxury watch collaboration. Leclerc has partnered with renowned Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille to unveil a limited edition version of the RM72-01 timepiece. The watch, officially named the RM72-01 “Charles Leclerc,” is a bold and sporty reinterpretation of Richard Mille’s signature automatic flyback chronograph. Although the watch was only recently announced, Leclerc had quietly been wearing it in public, including during the Bahrain Grand Prix, without generating much buzz until now.
The design of the RM72-01 “Charles Leclerc” is heavily inspired by the driver’s roots, paying tribute to his hometown of Monaco and its red-and-white national flag. The timepiece features a striking white Quartz TPT case accented with vivid red stripes, lending it a modern, aerodynamic aesthetic that aligns with Leclerc’s racing background. This red-and-white theme continues across the dial, where a skeletonized chronograph display replaces traditional hour markers with racing-oriented sub-dials. The black crown adds another subtle motorsport nod—it mimics the spiraling motion of a Formula 1 car’s tire during acceleration.
Despite its eye-catching design, the watch is built with technical precision and rugged durability. The RM72-01 boasts a water resistance of up to 30 meters (roughly 100 feet), and its 38.4 mm case strikes a balance between elegance and utility. At the heart of the timepiece is Richard Mille’s CRMC-1 caliber movement, which powers its flyback chronograph features. The mechanism offers 60-minute and 24-hour counters, running seconds, and a healthy 50-hour power reserve. Built with a column-wheel control system and an advanced double tilting pinion clutch, the movement ensures highly accurate and responsive timekeeping. The watch operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph) and incorporates a platinum rotor mounted on ceramic bearings for efficient energy transfer.
Richard Mille has become increasingly associated with motorsports in recent years, aligning with the global surge in popularity around Formula 1. While several watch brands are currently scrambling for influence in the sport, the RM72-01 “Charles Leclerc” stood out for being quietly introduced, only to gain attention after fans noticed it on Leclerc’s wrist weeks later.
With only 150 units being produced, this exclusive timepiece comes with a steep price tag of $300,000. According to reports from Hodinkee, some pieces are already being delivered to customers. Collectors and fans of both high-end horology and Formula 1 will need to act fast to secure one, as demand is expected to exceed supply quickly.
