
Holding true to its motto of creating “racing machines for the wrist,” Richard Mille, which is in its fifth year of an ongoing relationship with McLaren Automotive, interpreted the teardrop form of the 106 Speedtail hypercar and created a highly unusual new timepiece. To honor the fastest road car McLaren has built (the Speedtail has 1,070hp and travels at speeds of 250mph), Richard Mille stepped up its already extreme watchmaking game and added a host of ‘firsts’ to its in-house automatic tourbillon.
The tear-shaped 69-part case, made in high-tech titanium and Carbon TPT® with matte and polished finishes, took more than 18 months to perfect. The brand also developed a unique upper crystal with a triple contour that takes into account the tapering and thickness of the bezel. Additionally, the asymmetrical strap is made from rubber using a Vulculor® technology that enables over-molding so the McLaren orange stripe could be added.
Inside the watch, the entirely new CRMT4 movement is made of Grade 5 titanium bridges, screws and baseplate. It has been developed to display the power reserve, oversized date and function selector of the multiple complications. Nearly 9,000 hours went into the creation of the movement, which also boasts a platinum and rose gold variable geometry winding rotor inspired by the Speedtail’s roofline. Just 106 pieces will be made to match the 106 hypercars being built.
$1,022,000, available at Richard Mille in Beverly Hills, +1 310 993 8888, richardmille.com