The delicate work of assembling the watch.
A name synonymous with speed and fast cars, a symbol of high performance and power. The other, a brand known for its innovative designs and precise engineering. British supercar maker McLaren Automotive and Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille struck a long-term partnership in 2016, and they haven’t looked back since.
The muse for Richard Mille’s latest and most complex automatic chronograph to date is the uber cool McLaren W1 supercar, the ground-breaking successor to the McLaren Fl (1992) and McLaren P1 (2013) – two of the greatest supercars ever – elevating the McLaren ‘1’ car lineage to new heights in every aspect of performance.
The fourth in a series of collabs from McLaren/Richard Mille, the new RM 65-01 Automatic Winding Split-seconds Chronograph McLaren W1 reflects the cutting-edge, high-performance features of the supercar, taking into account its shape, materials and functionality as well as the “engine” that powers it. This development highlights the shared values of the partnership that focus on pushing performance boundaries, driven by passion and human interaction.
Previous watch models done in partnership were the RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Fl (2017); RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph McLaren (2018) and the RM 40-01 Automatic McLaren Speedtail (2021).
RM 65-01 McLaren W1 with black straps.
Your heart will race at the sight of this RM 65-01 masterpiece, limited to only 500 pieces. Its RMAC4 calibre beats at an appropriately high speed of 5Hz (36,000 vibrations) per hour. The high rate of oscillation enables the split-seconds chronograph to record elapsed times down to 1/10th of a second, while the movement’s vertical clutch and the two six-column wheels give precise and ultra-smooth activation of the chronograph. In terms of speed, the RM 65-01 McLaren W1’s movement (which sits on chassis mounting rubbers instead of being secured by a conventional casing ring) features a “rapid winding” system that lets the 60-hour power reserve to be fully charged within a short period, using the special pusher made from orange Quartz TPT.
Given McLaren’s “performance everywhere” principle, the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 is also suitable for daily wear, thanks to the built-in robustness of the 480-part movement and its variable geometry winding rotor, adjustable to the wearer’s lifestyle. Looking through the crystal gives a good view of the grey electroplasma treatment of the grade 5 titanium baseplate, along with the black PVD and grey electroplasma treated grade 5 titanium bridges.
“This project illustrates Mille’s philosophy of constantly pushing technical boundaries to create innovative watches, including the latest watchmaking developments, with a functional, practical and high-performance approach,” said Richard Mille technical director Salvador Arbona.
Orange accents in RM 65-01 McLaren W1.
Customised luxury
The McLaren W1 is the brand’s most focused and advanced supercar to date. Likewise, the complement watch is among the most technically complex of Richard Mille’s “Racing Machines on the Wrist”.
The Richard Mille creative team, headed by creative and development director Cécile Guenat, got exclusive access to the first clay mock-ups of the W1 in 2022. Inspired by the shape, a view of the car from above was determined as the best starting point.
The W1’s striking design, built around the unique McLaren “aero-cell” architecture, gave rise to the RM 65-01 McLaren W1’s indented “double bezel” – one of the greatest technical challenges in the development of the watch.
The stunning McLaren W1 inspired the RM 65-01.
Drawing from the W1’s compact and muscular shape, high waist line and anhedral door, the Carbon TPT bezel sits upon a satin-finished and polished grade 5 titanium second bezel, a result of advanced engineering.
Its curves reveal the Carbon TPT caseband, adding depth and emphasising the watch’s contours. It took nine months of work and eight prototype designs before settling on this model. The upper bezel part is a mere five-tenths of a millimetre thick at its thinnest point, which is about as thick as five Post-lt notes!
Just like how the W1’s swooping bodywork cocoons its engine and occupants, the 43.84x49.94x16.19mm Carbon TPT case of the RM 65-01 McLaren WI wraps the automatic split-seconds chronograph movement of the watch.
A new skeletonised titanium dial based on the McLaren’s wheel rim patterns was also developed, highlighting details with colours synonymous with the brand’s livery, evoking the feel of the supercar.
The crown, specifically designed for the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 and based on the W1’s drive shaft splines, is made from grade 5 titanium with a partial, easy-to-grip rubber coating in McLaren papaya orange and a tip adorned with the McLaren’s “Speedmark”.
Wheel rim details are reflected in the shape of the chronograph pushers and rapid winding pusher, exquisitely mounted on crafted titanium frames based on the cut-outs of the lightweight seats in McLaren supercars.
RM 65-01 McLaren W1 with orange straps.
Exceeding expectations
“The W1 is designed to give the driver everything they need. It’s a combination of epic power delivery, incredible performance and a high level of theatre, both on the racetracks and the road. It’s a daunting task to reflect these attributes in a watch, but Richard Mille has exceeded expectations with the RM McLaren W1,” said McLaren Automative global marketing director Andrea Bermudez.
The RM 65-01 McLaren W1 is also a true diver’s watch, featuring the “function selector crown” which operates along the lines of a transmission selector with the option to choose between three different positions: W for “Winding”, D for “Date” and H for “Hand-Setting”.
The foils and ducts angles found on the W1’s engine cover and ground-effect spoilers are reflected in the patterns seen on the papaya orange rubber strap, while the sapphire crystal caseback reveals the superbly-finished movement.
The horological manifestation of the dream shared by Richard Mille and McLaren has definitely not only broken records, but certainly new ground as well.
