The Richard Mille RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari merges artistic design with cutting-edge materials such as Carbon TPT and Grade 5 titanium
Few partnerships in the automotive world succeed, but Richard Mille and Ferrari have demonstrated their pairing with great success through the introduction of the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari. This timepiece is the result of a creative collaboration between Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello and Richard Mille’s base in Les Breuleux.
The 600 km distance apart hasn’t hindered the partnership that began in 2021, when both powerhouses were first united to develop a timepiece that embodies technical innovation and groundbreaking design. They achieved this with the RM UP-01 Ultraflat Ferrari watch, which has a thickness of just 1.75 mm, a technical feat that garnered accolades from industry experts and watch enthusiasts alike.
This year, the pairing continues with the launch of two versions of the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, focusing on Ferrari’s latest V12 architecture, which marries the best of automotive and watchmaking processes. Through the fusion of artistic design with advanced materials, such as Carbon TPT and Grade 5 titanium, the teams have struck the perfect balance between durability and aesthetic appeal.
For the first version, the case is made of Carbon TPT and microblasted Grade 5 titanium bezels, with the dial sections crafted in PVD red gold. The second timepiece features a case entirely made from Carbon TPT, Richard Mille’s exclusive variety of high-performance, thin-ply carbon fibre, with dial elements in anthracite and yellow. Each model is limited to a total of 75 watches.
Giving the timepieces their heartbeat is the new RM43-01 calibre, the latest generation of Richard Mille’s celebrated manual-winding movement developed in partnership with Audemars Piguet Le Locle (APLL). This calibre combines a split-seconds chronograph with a tourbillon escapement, along with power reserve, torque, and function indicators.
The RM43-01 calibre is built with an ultra-skeletonised Grade 5 titanium baseplate, paired with bridges made from both Grade 5 titanium and Carbon TPT, ensuring rigidity and enhanced vibration and shock resistance. In short, this design allows the gear train to function smoothly while the offset tourbillon endures extreme acceleration. It has undergone rigorous testing at Richard Mille to withstand shocks exceeding 5,000 g.
Richard Mille engineers have once again optimised the split-seconds system by refining the operation of the complication, which features two six-column wheels and a newly designed clamp with a lighter skeletonised structure. A new engagement system aligns with the split-seconds column wheel includes an improved mechanism for the rockers.
Developing the watch over three years has involved a complete reinvention of the mechanism within this complex super-mechanism. With this intricate engine, Richard Mille has refined the movement’s performance while establishing a sense of Ferrari-inspired 3D kineticism and technical prowess.
Most notably, the repositioning of the tourbillon escapement, adorned with a dynamic new design for the running-seconds indication, has moved to the right of the dial, rather than the traditional 6 o’clock position. This clever shift away from the centre creates a striking asymmetry at the heart of the watch.
