When Richard Mille meets Ferrari, time goes turbocharged

Some of the most exciting things in design happen when two creative forces decide to join up. Richard Mille knows this better than most. Over the years, the Swiss watchmaker has turned collaborations into an art form — working with names like Rafael Nadal, Pharrell Williams, and McLaren to craft highly technical, wildly expressive timepieces that push the boundaries of engineering and aesthetics.

The latest chapter in this legacy is the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari. This is the second watch to emerge from the partnership between Richard Mille and Ferrari, and it takes their shared obsession with speed, precision, and performance to the next level.

Limited to just 150 pieces — 75 in microblasted titanium, 75 in Carbon TPT® — the RM 43-01 is built through a creative exchange between Maranello and Les Breuleux. Centro Stile Ferrari was deeply involved in shaping the design language, from the dynamic case structure and crown detailing to the strap that features a motif inspired by the Purosangue seats. The laser-engraved titanium plate stamped with the Cavallino logo is modelled after the rear wing of the 499P and floats inside the openwork movement like a suspended badge of honour.

The engineering is as visual as it is mechanical. Surfaces are treated with a mix of microblasting, satin-finishing, and polished bevels that mimic the textures found on Ferrari engine components. The bridges evoke the tough, matte finish of engine covers, while golden hex screws, angular ridges, and skeletonised supports reference the geometry of crankcases and structural chassis parts.

The movement layout continues the automotive influence. A 30-minute totaliser dominates the dial like a dashboard tachometer. Shapes and lines draw inspiration from iconic Ferrari models including the 488 Challenge Evo, Daytona SP3, and SF90 Stradale. The pushers, indexes, and exposed architecture all echo the design intensity of Maranello’s finest machines.

Inside, the RM43-01 calibre was developed from scratch over three years. Built on a skeletonised grade 5 titanium baseplate with Carbon TPT® bridges, the movement delivers 70 hours of power reserve and features a split-seconds chronograph, function selector, torque indicator, and an off-centre tourbillon escapement. An active seconds display — driven by five radial blades rotating over a 12-second interval — adds a kinetic, heartbeat-like rhythm to the face.

Richard Mille’s movement director Salvador Arbona describes the process as increasingly scientific, with deep simulations and research enabling the creation of stronger, more efficient components. Every choice, from material selection to layout and shock absorption, is made through the lens of performance.

The RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari is an object built at the intersection of design and velocity. A piece of machinery that distills the essence of both brands into one extremely limited, high-impact timekeeper. When two engineering icons work in sync, the results speak for themselves.