In a rare move of horological subtlety, Richard Mille has quietly introduced the RM72-01 ‘Charles Leclerc’ edition—a striking limited-edition chronograph that pays homage to Ferrari’s beloved Formula 1 driver.
Unlike typical high-profile watch launches surrounded by fanfare, this $330,000 timepiece slipped onto the wrist of its namesake with hardly any official announcement, allowing eagle-eyed fans to spot it during recent Grand Prix weekends.
Striking F1 Timepiece
The watch makes an unmistakable visual statement with its white quartz TPT case adorned with bold red stripes and caseband—a direct nod to the colors of the Monégasque flag, representing Leclerc’s home principality.
The skeletonized dial abandons traditional hour numerals while maintaining the patriotic red and white theme across its chronograph counters and running seconds display. Adding to its racing pedigree, the black crown mimics a tire twisting under acceleration forces, while a red-and-white framed date window completes the distinctive aesthetic.
Beneath this striking exterior beats Richard Mille’s sophisticated caliber CRMC-1, a flyback chronograph featuring 30-minute and 24-hour totalizers alongside a column-wheel control system and double tilting pinion clutch.
Technical refinements abound, including a function indicator displaying the crown position, semi-instantaneous date mechanism, and a free-sprung balance with adjustable mass in cupro-beryllium. The movement oscillates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, powered by a fast-rotating mainspring barrel that delivers a 50-hour power reserve, while a platinum rotor on ceramic bearings handles automatic winding duties.
Limited to just 150 pieces and priced at $330,000, the watch is already being delivered to fortunate clients. If the trajectory of the equally limited RM72-01 LeMans Classic edition serves as any indicator, secondary market prices for this Leclerc edition may soon reach stratospheric levels.
Dog-Powered Discovery
The revelation of this extraordinary timepiece came through an unexpected source—a heartwarming video featuring Leo Leclerc, the driver’s adorable dachshund, playing with his owner after the Miami Grand Prix.
Sharp-eyed watch enthusiasts noticed Leclerc sporting an unfamiliar Richard Mille that resembled Bubba Watson’s pink and white quartz model but was clearly based on the RM72-01 platform. Further investigation revealed that the Ferrari star had been quietly wearing this special edition for weeks without any official announcement from the brand.
This stealth launch stands in stark contrast to how most luxury watchmakers leverage their Formula 1 connections, typically orchestrating elaborate unveilings to maximize publicity. Richard Mille’s decision to forgo the usual marketing blitz for one of their most prominent ambassadors speaks to the brand’s confidence and unique position in the market.
The watch’s bold “peppermint candy cane” aesthetic might not appeal to those seeking understated luxury, but it perfectly captures both Leclerc’s national pride and Richard Mille’s reputation for audacious design. At 38.4mm wide by 47.34mm lug-to-lug and 11.68mm thick, the dimensions remain remarkably wearable for such a technically complex timepiece.
For the 150 collectors fortunate enough to secure this symbol of motorsport excellence, the RM72-01 ‘Charles Leclerc’ represents more than just another limited edition—it embodies the spirit of Monaco’s racing heritage and Ferrari’s passion through the wrist of one of Formula 1’s most charismatic talents.