Richard Mille’s Most Complex Automatic Watch: The McLaren W1-Inspired RM 65-01

Inspired by McLaren’s revolutionary W1 supercar, Richard Mille’s latest chronograph pushes the boundaries of haute horlogerie engineering.

When Richard Mille set out to create a timepiece worthy of McLaren’s groundbreaking W1 supercar, the watchmaker knew that conventional approaches wouldn’t suffice. The result—the RM 65-01 McLaren W1—represents a triumph of mechanical innovation that required nearly five years of development and pushed the limits of what’s possible in contemporary watchmaking.

View more of the watchmaking process

At the heart of this extraordinary timepiece beats the RMAC4 calibre, Richard Mille’s most sophisticated automatic chronograph movement to date. Operating at a precisely engineered 5Hz frequency (36,000 vibrations per hour), this horological masterpiece marks the brand’s first venture into automatic split-seconds chronographs capable of measuring intervals to 1/10th of a second.

The watch’s revolutionary case construction demonstrates Richard Mille’s relentless pursuit of innovation. After nine months of development and eight prototypes, the engineering team achieved what many deemed impossible: a double bezel combining Carbon TPT with an ultra-thin grade 5 titanium layer measuring a mere 0.50mm at its thinnest point. This breakthrough construction doesn’t just push aesthetic boundaries—it also delivers tangible performance benefits, including 25 per cent improved breaking stress resistance and 200 per cent better micro-crack resistance.

View the orange strap variant

Design cues drawn directly from the McLaren W1 permeate every aspect of the timepiece. Cécile Guenat’s creative team gained unprecedented access to the supercar’s initial clay mock-ups, translating automotive excellence into horological art. The crown draws inspiration from drive shaft splines, while the chronograph pushers mirror the distinctive wheel rim details of the W1. McLaren’s signature papaya orange accents provide bold contrast against the technical complexity of the dial.

The RMAC4 calibre’s architecture employs a sophisticated vertical clutch and dual six-column wheel system, ensuring precise chronograph activation. A variable-geometry rotor adapts to the wearer’s activity level, while a rapid winding mechanism activated via the pusher at 8 o’clock adds practical functionality to the haute horlogerie package.

Limited to 500 pieces, the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 celebrates nine years of partnership between these two engineering powerhouses. More than just a timepiece, it represents the pinnacle of what’s possible when automotive and horological excellence converge in pursuit of technical perfection.

Richard Mille