We all know that Richard Mille is a great watch manufacturer – the distinctive shape of the case might be one of the most recognizable cases in the whole watch industry.
As we talk here at The Collectors Circle about collectible watches and rarities, we definitively have to talk about the Richard Mille’s RM 50-03 McLaren F1 because the luxury brand brought watchmaking perfection back to life with this masterpiece.
Technical innovation and the continuous pursuit of perfection and progress are the common denominators that link McLaren and Richard Mille, which is why the two companies joined forces to create the lightest mechanical chronograph ever made.
Richard Mille RM-50-03 F1 Orange
The Richard Mille caliber, created in collaboration with the Formula 1 designers and engineers, is a technical masterpiece of extraordinary mechanical power. The caliber weighs only 7 grams and combines the tourbillon and split-second chronograph. The whole watch weighs less than 40 grams including the wristband – no joke! All this was possible thanks to the usage of F1 technology and materials like grade 5 Titanium, Carbon TPT and Graph TPT. With the injection of these materials, Richard Mille has entered a new level in watch making and is a pioneer by using other raw materials than just gold, steel or platinum.
For example, Graph TPT is six times lighter than steel but also 200 times more resistant.
This innovative timepiece is limited to only 75 pieces and, of course, has a steep price tag. The official retail price of the ultra-light RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph McLaren F1 was EUR 1,098,000 but the market value has increased, and you can now find prices from EUR 1.2 to 1.3 million.
With the RM 50-30, the brand elevated timekeeping to the highest form of technical art. Well done Richard Mille! The Collectors Circle says thank you for being a pioneer in the watch industry.
Summary
Brand:
Richard Mille
Model:
RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph McLaren F1
Price:
retail price was EUR 1’098’000, current market price around EUR 1’200’000 to EUR 1’300’000
Limitation:
75 pieces
Measurements:
44.50 x 49.65 mm wide, 16.10 mm thick
When to wear:
The watch was designed with the McLaren F1 team so you would probably want to wear it during an F1 event where people would appreciate the timepiece and the engineering inside.
What we love about the watch:
Similar to the gearshift of a car, the function indicator makes it possible to distinguish the positions for winding of the watch and for setting the time when the crown is pulled. A hand at the 3 o’clock indicates the selected function: W (Winding), N (Neutral) and H (Hands).
Image: „RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph McLaren F1“, http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/watches/article/why-are-richard-mille-watches-expensive/