Just six months after watchmaker Bulgari picked up the title for the world’s thinnest timepiece with the Octo Finissimo Ultra, Ferrari takes home the accolade together with Richard Mille as the long-time collaborators launch their first timepiece, the RM UP-01 Ferrari.
Measuring 0.05 mm thinner than the previous title holder, the RM UP-01 measures 1.75 mm; the movement itself is only 1.18 mm thick and weighs 2.82 grams. Despite its svelte silhouette, the timepiece is designed with extreme speed in mind. The watchmaker enlists the help of Scuderia Ferrari F1 team drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr to test the limits of the design.
Richard Mille put in over 6000 hours of development and engineering to create a movement that can withstand 5000 Gs with total shock resistance capabilities.
Though this is not the first time Richard Mille watches have been pushed to their limits by the Scuderia Ferrari team, the RM UP-01 Ferrari marks the first time two brands have come together to create a watch.
True to Ferrari's and Richard Mille's engineering spirit, the timepiece takes on a new case design that nods to the classic Richard Mille case shape. The elongated tonneau is modified and turned sideways to produce a new, wider look. The skinny look is especially unique for Richard Mille as it’s long been loved for its rugged case design.
The watch has a miniaturised dial that displays the hours and minutes and has a power reserve of 45 hours when fully wound. On the bottom right of the face is Ferrari’s prancing horse logo. The titanium watch, sandwiched between two pieces of sapphire crystals, is water-resistant up to 10 metres. A black rubber strap completes the lightweight design.
Priced at US$1.88 million, Richard Mille will produce a limited run of 150 pieces of the RM UP-01 Ferrari.