Le Mans is a classic car racing event that draws in car enthusiasts from the world over. Each year, more and more people flock to this event. It is a unique event in place since 2002 that features a 24-hour race.
The race represents 20 different nations and features over 1,000 different drivers. These drivers represent 30 different nations around the world. This goes to show just how important this worldwide event became since its inception.
The meeting of racing and timekeeping is a natural one. Sector times and lap times mean a ton in racing. They not only play a role in who ultimately wins the race, but they also help guide training, practice, and the tune of the vehicle.
Timepieces have a unique tradition in racing and there is no more of an illustrative relationship than that between Richard Mille and the world of racing.
Racing Tradition
Richard Mille is the epitome of the connection between races and timepieces. Mille, a world-renown watchmaker, long loved the world of racing and shows support in a variety of different ways.
One of these favorite races is the Le Mans 24-hour race. This annual event draws people and racers in from all over the world to a unique endurance race that is unmatched in the racing circuit.
Mille loves that the Le Mans race is a throwback to classic racing. Mille and his company have been a part of the Le Mans race since its inception in 2002. Since 2008, Mill has created limited-edition watches for each and every race.
The Le Mans Classic occurs every two years and is a fixture of the racing circuit. Racing enthusiasts the world over flock to this historic event just like Mille.
Some of the most famous drivers and car manufacturers have seen their day in the sun at the Le Mans track and the race hearkens back to racing days of old.
The races have evolved over the years with new cars and classes of cars being represented in unique ways. In this race, cars of many different classes race on the same track in a unique set of events.
Limited-Edition Timepieces
2020 marked the 10th Le Mans event and also marks the 50th anniversary since Porsche won its first victory in the 24-hour race. For this anniversary, Mille decided to be a bigger part of the event than usual. He both creates timepieces for the event as well as sponsors a number of teams and drivers.
His company was tasked to create a unique watch that could be used to time the event and he most certainly delivered. He creates limited-edition watches to mark each and every Le Mans event and the 10th-anniversary watch from 2020 is exceptional.
One of the key features of his most recent Le Mans watch is that it is a unisex watch that is designed to enable the timing of the entire 24-hour race.
His watches are known for their unique shape and style. They are also known for this complex and sophisticated design that is at the cutting edge of innovation and technology.
This chronograph watch is the first unisex watch created by the company. This comes in tandem with the announcement that Mille is sponsoring an all-ladies F1 team.
The unisex nature of the watch is an homage to the fact that both men and women now participate in this classic event. The watch is smaller than some of the earlier models, making it more suitable for both male and female drivers.
Materials and Design
The latest edition of Mille’s Le Mans watch is, as we noted earlier, unisex and smaller than some of the earlier models. It is a flyback chronograph watch.
The theme of the watch is “threes”. This is why the watch only displays the numerals 11, 3, and 8. There are three subdials. One is for chronograph minutes. The other is a 24-hour chronograph totalizer. The third subdial is for small seconds.
The watch uses a color code. Blue is seconds. Orange is minutes. Green is hours. Mille has long been known to use bright colors in the design of his watch and this is in keeping with that tradition.
The center of the dial features the hour and minute hands and a red-tipped chronograph seconds hand used for timing in races.
This is unique even amongst Mille’s other limited-edition timepieces. This most recent watch was 30 months in the making. One of the key features is the use of a new double-clutch movement that isolates the transfer of hours to minutes in the chronograph.
This leads to a smaller case and is more power-saving than previous watches. The watch uses 425 different parts and features a 50-hour power reserve.
The Limited Edition Le Mans Timepiece
The 2020 Le Mans limited-edition Ricard Mille watch is a stunning piece of craftsmanship and design. It is suitable for both men and women. This is in homage to the all-women F1 team that Mille now sponsors. This is a unique departure for the world of racing and the expectation is that we should continue to see women represented in the sport more and more in years to come.
The creation of a Le Mans timepiece that is suitable for both men and women is a departure from tradition. It has only been in recent years that we see women participating in racing more and more.
The representation of women on the track means they too need quality timepieces that look great and can track lap and sector times. This is huge progress in a sport that was, for many years, the endeavor of men only. The changing times mean that now women can take part in this classic and historic racing event.
The unisex nature of the watch makes it inclusive. It looks great on either a man or woman and there it is available in different materials and slightly different styles. These watches come with a hefty price tag. The high price tag is due to the complexity of the construction and design. The watch is a limited edition, which also contributes to the high cost of the timepiece.
The 2020 unisex model is RM 011. There are four different case materials to choose from. This includes titanium, black ceramic, white ceramic, or 18k red gold. Each material lends itself to the watch well and gives it a unique look and feel that is unlike other watches of its kind.
RM 011
Instagram model Alexa Collins wearing the RM (@alexacollins).
The latest limited edition Le Mans watch from Richard Mille is the RM 011. It took Mille 30-months to design this watch. The watch made its debut at the 2020 Le Mans Classic.
The watch, unlike previous models, is unisex. This represents the advancement of women in the world of racing. With women better represented in the sport, Mille sought to create a watch that works for all.
Richard Mille is a man of ideas and innovation. He seeks to create timepieces that are a perfect blend of personality, function, and quality craftsmanship.
There is no comparison of the style, quality, and precision of these timepieces. This makes the RM 72-01 Automatic Winding Lifestyle Flyback Chronograph a true one-of-a-kind timepiece.
Unique Movement
The movement in this version of the watch is the Calibre CRMC1. It features a “skeletonized” movement. The movement features automatic bidirectional winding.
This means that the watch never needs manual winding and always keeps precise time. The watch features hours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronograph, a function indicator, and stop seconds.
While these things might not mean much to the average watch owner, they are incredibly important for a racer.
Power Saving
One of the key features of this watch is the separation of the chronograph from the daily timekeeping mechanism. This ensures the chronograph never interrupts the daily timekeeping feature when in operation.
Stunning Material Usage
Mille selects only the finest materials for his timepieces. The bridge and baseplates of the RM 011 use the finest quality, grade 5 titanium. This is top-of-the-line material that is resistant to corrosion, biocompatible, and is rigid enough to ensure that timepiece continues to function properly.
The composition of the titanium baseplate and bridges is 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium. The aerospace industry uses this composite allow in their development. This shows how durable, strong, and versatile the material is.
The Flyback Chronograph
The new flyback chronograph is a patented feature developed by Richard Mille. The mechanism splits the toque. The daily time and the chronograph features do not engage with one another. They don’t affect each other.
This creates more accurate time and a higher-performing chronograph. The chronograph draws power directly from the main barrel supply and the use of two oscillating pinions provides enhanced energy transfer.
This new mechanism is less susceptible to disturbance from the environment or daily timekeeping functions. It is also smaller than preceding mechanisms, which allows for the overall smaller size of the watch face.
Other Features
This watch features a vertical date display at the 7 o’clock space on the watch. It also features a function indicator.
You see the winding, neutral, and hand settings when the crown is removed. This is the function indicator. Mille likens this mechanism to a car’s gearbox in keeping with the racing emphasis.
The watch also uses a free-sprung balance which is a new innovation. This balance leads to better reliability, even when the watch experiences shocks and other rigors associated with racing.
There is no regulator index in the balance, which means the balance is more accurate and easier to adjust. The four weights are found on the balance and one can adjust them as needed.
The Watch Case
Mille ensures that every element of the watch meets the highest standards of design and quality. The watch doesn’t use a casing ring. Instead, the movement mounts with chassis-mounting rubber and titanium screws.
The use of these high-quality materials shows the care and attention to detail that is illustrative in every element of the RM 72-01.
Milles makes this case of three pieces. The tripartite style of this watch is truly unique. The watch is water-resistant up to 30 meters. This shows the strength and versatility of this watch. To ensure the seal, the watch features three Nitrile O-ring seals. The sealing power of these is unmatched.
The case is assembled with 20 grade 5 titanium screws and abrasion-resistant washers made from 316L stainless steel. The use of such high-quality materials in the construction of the watch shows the attention to detail and the utmost focus on quality.
The side of the case features standardized dials. These dials have the same trigger pressure. This makes it easier to use this feature. The double-ratchet levers make an audible click when the button is engaged. This audible clue is incredibly useful, especially if you cannot look down at the watch.
In Closing
Richard Mille has a long and time-honored relationship with the world of professional racing. Mille has long with close with one of the biggest events in racing: The Le Mans Classic. This event takes place every two years and is fast growing to be one of the most popular international racing events in the world.
Every two years, the event draws tens of thousands of people from all over the world. It draws over 1,000 drivers from tens of different countries, representing a wide range of manufacturers. This exciting 24-hour event shows the endurance of the driver and the quality of the car’s tune.
Each time this bi-annual event rolls around, Mille creates a unique, limited-edition watch commemorating the event. We see the RM 011 unveiled at the 2020 Le Mans Classic. It is a combination of form and function. It uses the latest technology and innovation to create a precise, well-made, and eye-catching timepiece.
The watch uses patented technologies that allow for a smaller case than is usual on Mille’s watches. The design not only looks great but has power-saving features to ensure the chronograph doesn’t interfere with daily timekeeping. The watch is made from only the finest quality materials and utilizes space-age alloys to create a durable, strong, and versatile timepiece. This watch is made from the finest quality materials. It features space-age alloys that make the piece stronger and more versatile than ever before.
The RM 011 features an innovative and cutting-edge design. It features a slimmer build, making it less bulky on the wrist. This watch is the first unisex watch by Mille. This shows the growing representation of women in the field of racing.
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