In less than a week, McLaren’s W1 has already sparked the creation of a unique watch. Richard Mille, a longtime collaborator with the British automaker, has introduced the RM 65-01 McLaren Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph W1. It’s the fourth watch to come from their ongoing partnership, with both brands known for being top players in their fields.
The W1 is McLaren’s next big thing, following in the footsteps of two of its most celebrated cars, the F1 and P1. Each of these models has been a flagship for the brand, showing off design and delivering top-tier performance, all while being produced in limited numbers. The W1 itself looks straight out of a sci-fi movie and packs a punch with its motorsports-inspired, hybrid twin-turbo V-8 engine that churns out 1,275 horsepower. With only 399 units available and a price tag of INR 22 crore ($2.7 million), it’s no surprise this car is in a league of its own.
Richard Mille proudly describes the RM 65-01 as its most powerful watch to date. This timepiece features the Swiss company’s RMA4C automatic chronograph movement, which operates at a brisk 5Hz, meaning it ticks around 36,000 times every hour. According to the watchmaker, it can track two different times down to the nearest tenth of a second. The movement consists of 480 parts and is mounted on rubber chassis for stability. Plus, it has a handy “rapid winding” system that lets wearers quickly recharge its 60-hour power reserve using a special Quartz TPT pusher.
The watch doesn’t just match the performance of its namesake—it’s also a head-turner in the looks department. Its case measures 43.84 x 49.94 x 16.19 mm and is crafted from multi-layer TPT carbon. It features Richard Mille’s thinnest bezel yet, with a design that reflects the lines of the supercar. The skeletonised dial, made of titanium, shares a pattern with the W1’s wheels and includes vibrant color accents. You can’t miss the brand’s signature color, Papaya Orange, which stands out on the dial, crowns and especially on the rubber strap.
Richard Mille is set to create 500 pieces of the RM 65-01 McLaren Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph W1, with each one priced at INR 3.13 crore (320,000 Swiss francs). The first 399 watches will be available exclusively to W1 owners, leaving around 100 for those who want to add this McLaren-themed timepiece to their collection of Richard Mille watches.
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