Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds McLaren W1 Replica Watches

On October 6, British supercar brand McLaren unveiled its next-generation hypercar, the W1, which follows the legendary F1 and P1. Richard Mille replica, which has maintained a close partnership with McLaren since 2016, has released a special timepiece inspired by the W1 and McLaren’s heritage. This is already the fourth limited edition collaboration.

Following the RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph in 2017 (limited to 75 pieces), the RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph McLaren in 2018 (limited to 500 pieces), and the RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail in 2021 (limited to 106 pieces), the new RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph McLaren W1 to be launched in 2024 seeks to implement the characteristic design of the W1, which continues the lineage of McLaren supercars, into a watch.
In this regard, Cécile Guenat, Richard Mille’s Creative and Development Director, and his design team had the opportunity to exclusively see the first physical mock-up of the W1 in 2022. “We wanted to capture the essence of the W1’s compact and dynamic silhouette, high waistline, and sleek, aerodynamic door design at an angle in the lower half of the case, which was one of the most difficult technical challenges during the development of the watch,” the brand added. Inspired by the W1, which is based on the Aero-cell architecture, the case design of the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 also stands out with the streamlined curve of the bezel. This is a point that stands out from the existing RM 65-01 series.
The double-structured bezel uses Richard Mille’s unique synthetic new material, Carbon TPT®, as if it were an insert on a grade 5 titanium base. The thickness of the bezel, which emphasizes the streamlined curves, is only 0.5mm, making it the thinnest among the replica watches Richard Mille has ever produced. In addition, it is said that it took a whopping 9 months just to make the bezel, as it was a new attempt to cut out and combine Carbon TPT®, which usually takes the form of a single block, thinly like an insert.
The case measures 43.84 x 49.94 mm in diameter and 16.19 mm thick, including the domed sapphire crystal on the front. The middle case and case back are made of Carbon TPT®. Carbon TPT® is formed by stacking filaments that are created in the process of separating carbon fibers, immersing each layer in resin, and then using an automatic direction changer to turn it at a 45° angle. Since the thickness of one layer of parallel filaments is only 30 microns (μm), at least 600 layers must be stacked to reach a thickness that can be processed into a case shape. The layers formed in this way are placed in an autoclave (high-pressure treatment device) similar to that used in the manufacture of aerospace parts to further strengthen the rigidity of the material and go through a process of heating at 6 bar of pressure and 120° temperature. Once this process is complete, it is processed into a single case at Richard Mille’s in-house case factory. The processing creates a wave-like pattern, and no two watches are the same, giving each watch a unique character.

The three-piece case consisting of a double bezel, middle case, and case back is combined with two nitrile O-ring seals, 316L stainless steel washers, and a total of 12 spline screws made of grade 5 titanium on the front and back to ensure water resistance of about 50 meters. The crown is also designed to be differentiated from previous models. It is made of grade 5 titanium with a microblasted and satin-brushed finish, with a double O-ring and an orange rubber on the outside for a comfortable grip. Richard Mille added that the spline (spiral groove structure) seen on the shaft of the W1 was inspired by the unique design. And the speedmark decoration, which symbolizes McLaren, was not forgotten on the center of the crown. The other chronograph pushers located on the middle case are also made of grade 5 titanium.
The movement is the same skeleton automatic chronograph caliber RMAC4 as the predecessors of the RM 65-01 series. It is based on the design of Vaucher’s VMF 6710, based on the partnership with the Swiss Fleurier manufacture. The ébauche is not unfamiliar, having previously been supplied to Parmigiani Fleurier (PF071) and Chapek (SXH3). It is an integrated automatic chronograph movement, and it features the classic column wheel component that governs the smooth operation of the chronograph, as well as a modern vertical clutch mechanism, and above all, it boasts a high-beat design that vibrates at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz). The power reserve is also relatively long for a high-beat chronograph movement, at around 60 hours.