From June 29 to July 2, a huge gathering of vintage cars will return to the legendary Le Mans circuit to celebrate 100 years of the legendary race. As part of this initiative, Richard Mille solidifies its involvement in the automotive world with a strong commitment to racing circuits, supporting teams and drivers, and particularly women in the sport. Richard Mille’s involvement with the Le Mans Classic has been at every level from the very beginning and special watches have been specifically developed for every edition since 2008, always featuring the race’s colors in white and green. For 2023, Richard Mille presents the RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic.
Some 800 racing cars will be on the track, with a further 8,500 club cars on display in the general enclosure, along with 150 exhibitors and 1,000 drivers representing 30 different countries and more than 200,000 expected visitors, an unprecedented number since the event was created in 2002.
The Richard Mille RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic, is an exclusive model to celebrate the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new watch is limited to 150 pieces and features a combination of green and white Quartz TPT. A celebration of technology and elegance, the RM 72-01 LMC —Le Mans Classic— boasts the company's first flyback chronograph, featuring a patented double oscillating pinion clutch mechanism for optimum performance. The redesigned automatic movement with hours, minutes, small seconds, date, and a function indicator has a 50-hour power reserve, whether or not the chronograph is in use.
The RM 72-01 LMC is a 24-hour chronograph with three subdials on its titanium skeletonized dial. The 16 on the 24-hour counter is underlined in red as a nod to the traditional start time of the endurance race. The Le Mans’ chequered flag is featured profusely on the dial at 11 o’clock on the Le Mans Classic logo and around the date aperture at 7 o’clock. The counter at 9 o’clock marks the running seconds for the watch, while the 60-minute counter between 12 and 2 o’clock marks the minutes for the chronograph.
The Quartz TPT case in white and green measures 38.40 mm x 47.34 mm x 11.68 mm and it features redesigned pushers for the chronograph. Using the pusher located at 4 o’clock, the running chronograph hand can be reset without first having to stop the mechanism. This system was originally developed for drivers to avoid losing time —and accuracy— due to stopping, resetting, and restarting their chronographs when passing through waypoints. When the chronograph function is active, the 24-hour counter and 60-minute counter are visible via the two counters located at 5 o’clock and 2 o’clock, the elapsed seconds being indicated by the central seconds.
In a manner similar to a car’s gearbox, the function indicator between the 24-hour and 60-minute counters makes it possible to identify the winding, neutral, and time-setting positions as the crown is pulled out. The active position is indicated via a hand at 3 o’clock pointing to the following functions: W (Winding) – D (Date Adjusting) – H (Hand Setting).
This type of balance wheel guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shocks and also during movement assembly and disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable adjustment is possible, thanks to 4 small, adjustable weights located directly on the balance. By using a rotor in platinum with ceramic ball bearings in combination with a One Way reverser system, the barrel can be optimally wound whilst keeping its size compact.
Sticker Price $335,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
