If you’ve ever wanted a slice of Formula 1 performance strapped to your wrist and have a spare NZD $560,000 lying around Richard Mille has just the thing. Meet the RM 72-01 Leclerc Edition, a limited-run chronograph celebrating Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc, and his knack for shaving tenths of a second like he’s peeling carrots.
This isn’t your average chronograph. It’s a full-throttle, red-and-white tribute to Leclerc’s racing DNA, limited to just 150 pieces worldwide, as most of these editions are. The case is forged from white Quartz TPT, which sounds like something from a sci-fi lab but is really just Mille’s fancy way of saying “incredibly light, incredibly strong, and kind of beautiful.” Add in some eye-searing Ferrari red accents and a white strap that says “I drive something expensive,” and you’ve got a wristpiece that screams speed.
Inside, the watch features Richard Mille’s CRMC1 flyback chronograph movement, the brand’s first in-house automatic chronograph, no less. It beats away at a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour, powered by a platinum rotor that’s almost as baller as Leclerc’s Monaco tax returns. And yes, it has a 50-hour power reserve, so it’ll outlast your weekend drive in the Ferrari you also probably don’t have.
The skeletonized dial offers a glimpse into the watch’s intricate mechanics, complemented by rose gold accents and a distinctive chronograph subdial layout. A transparent caseback reveals the flyback chronograph movement and commemorative engravings signifying Leclerc’s exclusive collection. Turn it over, and you’ll find commemorative engravings and even more see-through wizardry. It’s part showpiece, part race tech, part “I’ve arrived.”
In a world of limited editions and racing collabs, this one actually feels special. Not just because of the engineering, but because it captures something of Leclerc’s spirit — fast, precise, and stylish under pressure. All of that while being very connected to RM’s tradition of developing new materials and processes, mixing them up with out-there designs.
So, if you’re ready to wear something with more carbon fibre than your average supercar, the RM 72-01 Leclerc is waiting. Just don’t try to race it around the kitchen table. That strap’s white, remember?
