Richard Mille has been associated with the Le Mans Classic since 2002, the latter’s inception. A biennial vintage racing that is a love letter to—and takes place on the same track as—24 Hours of Le Mans, the most famous and renowned endurance race in the world, Le Mans Classic is a celebration of classic motoring. The principal competitors are divided into six categories, across eras from 1921 to 1981. This year’s event also coincided with the 100th anniversary of 24 Hours of Le Mans, and saw some 1,000 drivers, 800 racing cars, and a further 8,500 vehicles on display—along with an unprecedented 200,000 visitors.
There is, naturally, a watch to celebrate the occasion—in fact, Richard Mille has produced a commemorative timepiece for each edition of the race since 2008. This year’s model is the RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic, and eagle-eyed fans of the brand may recognise it as a sportingly dressed version of the timepiece first seen in 2020. The RM 72-01 features the manufacture’s first flyback chronograph movement, which is replete with a patented double oscillating pinion clutch mechanism. This system helps isolate the chronograph functions from the timekeeping mechanisms, improving the watch’s overall precision. The baseplate and bridges are constructed out of titanium, which was chosen for its great rigidity. Meanwhile, the rotor is platinum and the movement has a faster 5Hz beat rate.
The tonneau-shaped case measures about 38mm by 47mm and is in Richard Mille’s signature muscular style, with prominent crown and bezel with visible screws. It is made out of the brand’s own Quartz TPT material, which consists of hundreds of quartz fibres layered together, and provides extreme durability. Saturation with resin provides colour, and in this case is in a rather retro white and green. The dial, decorated in the style of classic motorsports livery (including chequered flags here and there) includes a date window at 7 o’clock and function indicator linked to the crown.
The Richard Mille RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic is limited to just 150 pieces, and like its predecessors, has become quite a coveted collectible. It will, after all, be at least two years before the next one.
