An Over-the-Top, High-Performance Marvel That Screams Ferrari DNA

Just ahead of Watches and Wonders, Richard Mille gathered a select crowd of international press and special guests to unveil something truly wild: the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari. Like everything RM does, it wasn’t launched in the usual way—and that’s exactly the point. Much like Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille walks its own path, favoring private unveilings over crowded expos. And this new Ferrari collab? It’s anything but subtle.

Following the ultra-thin, minimalist UP-01 Ferrari from 2022, the RM 43-01 flips the concept on its head. It’s bold, complex, and a full-throttle tribute to Ferrari’s design philosophy. If the UP-01 was RM’s idea of a lightweight speedster, the 43-01 is a full-bodied hypercar—loaded with functions, high-tech materials, and pure attitude.

Two Distinct Flavors, One Unmistakable Identity

The RM 43-01 comes in two striking versions:

  • Titanium with Carbon TPT mid-case: A more classic take, complete with brushed finishes and warm gold/red accents.
  • Full Carbon TPT: A lightweight, ultra-modern option that leans all the way into performance aesthetics.

Each version is limited to just 75 pieces, making the total production run a mere 150 watches. And yes, both are priced to match their exclusivity:

  • $1,300,000 for the titanium version
  • $1,535,000 for the full Carbon TPT

Under the Hood: A Tour de Force Movement

At the heart of the RM 43-01 is a hand-wound movement called—you guessed it—the RM43-01. It packs a serious punch:

  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, tourbillon, split-seconds chronograph (with dual column wheels), power reserve, torque indicator, and a function selector for the crown.
  • Specs: 3Hz frequency, 70-hour power reserve, and 43 jewels—each carefully placed in a stunning skeletonized layout co-developed with Audemars Piguet Le Locle (APLL).
  • Size: 31.2 × 36.45 × 7.47mm

The chronograph alone is a feat of engineering, especially the split-seconds mechanism, which uses a dedicated brake (with a gold finish!) to improve accuracy—even under heavy shocks.

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Free-sprung balance with variable Inertia. This type of balance wheel guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shocks and during assembly or dismantling of the movement, thus providing better chronometric results over time. The index is eliminated, thereby allowing a more precise and repeatable calibration using 4 setting screws.

Details That Hit Like a Ferrari

The design of the RM 43-01 isn’t just mechanical—it’s emotional. Inspired by Ferrari models like the SF90 and Daytona SP3, you’ll find subtle nods to Maranello all over the watch:

  • Hour markers echo the intake shapes of Ferrari’s design language.
  • A miniature Ferrari badge sits at the lower left of the dial, styled after the endplate of a 499P Le Mans Hypercar.
  • And yes, it’s a full skeleton dial—because when you’ve got an engine this good, you don’t hide it.

POWER-RESERVE INDICATOR

The power-reserve indicator shows the number of hours of energy left in the mainspring before the watch must be wound again.

TORQUE INDICATOR

This indicator supplies information about the mainspring’s tension, thus permitting an optimisation of the chronometric functioning of the movement.

FUNCTION INDICATOR

In a manner similar to a car’s gearbox, the function indicator allows one to see the winding, neutral and hand-setting positions as the crown is pulled out. The active position is indicated via a hand at 4 o’clock pointing to the following functions: W (Winding) – N (Neutral) – H (Hands).

CASE IN CARBON TPT®

Carbon TPT® is a remarkable material with a unique finish. It is obtained by layering hundreds of sheets of carbon fibres (with a maximum thickness of 30 microns), by using an automated process that changes the orientation of the weft between layers. Heated to 120 °C at a pressure of 6 bars in an autoclave similar to those used for aeronautic components, the material is then ready to be machined at Richard Mille to create the case and its pushers.

OR IN MICROBLASTED TITANIUM

The design and execution of the watch demonstrate a holistic approach to conception of the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications. For example, a casing ring is no longer used, and the movement is mounted on chassis mounting rubbers (ISO SW) fixed by titanium screws.

The bezel and caseback are made of grade 5 titanium whilst the caseband and pushers are made of Carbon TPT®. The bezels are microblasted with hand-polished bevels.

The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 metres, ensured by 2 Nitrile O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws and abrasion-resistant washers in 316 L stainless steel.

The Case: Big, Bold, But Comfortable

  • Diameter: 42.9mm
  • Thickness: 17.1mm
  • Lug-to-lug: 51.2mm
  • Water Resistance: 50 meters
  • Strap: Rubber-style with a titanium double-folding clasp

Despite its dimensions, the case hugs the wrist thanks to its deeply curved design. It wears surprisingly light, but don’t be fooled—this is not a discreet piece. It’s a statement, through and through.

Hands-On Usability

Even with its complex layout, the RM 43-01 is impressively intuitive:

  • A crown function selector lets you toggle between Winding (W), Neutral (N), and Hacking (H).
  • The split-seconds pusher sits just below the crown.
  • On the left side of the case, you’ve got two more pushers: one for chronograph start/stop and another for reset.

The action on the pushers is buttery smooth—refined, clicky, and responsive, just as you’d expect at this price point.

Final Thoughts

The RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari is a masterclass in technical watchmaking and brand storytelling. It’s loud, it’s fast, it’s complex—and that’s exactly why it works. If you’ve ever wondered what a Ferrari looks like on the wrist, this is it.

It may not be for everyone, but for the lucky few (literally 150), it’s a wrist-sized engine of art and innovation.