Ferrari has never been a brand for the shy, and neither has Richard Mille. The RM 43-01 marks the second watch born from this high-octane partnership, following the ultra-thin RM UP-01 that turned heads in 2022 for its record-breaking slimness. This time though, they’ve shifted gears, trading thinness for power, complexity, and a dial that feels like it could double as an F1 dashboard.
The RM 43-01 is exactly what happens when Ferrari’s motorsport DNA meets Richard Mille’s way of making watches that seem like they were designed on the pit wall during an F1 weekend. We’ve seen collaborations before, but this one? This one feels like the team actually handed Richard Mille a Ferrari engine and said, “Turn this into a watch.” And you know what? They did.
Before we go full throttle into the RM 43-01, it’s worth saying, this watch was never meant for timing laps alone or enjoying espresso at the paddock club. It belongs to the collector who desires to carry a piece of Maranello’s legacy on the wrist. If you’re nodding right now, you might be that collector.
The RM 43-01 Is Anything but Ordinary
The RM 43-01 isn’t shy about being loud, proud, and complicated, just like any proper Ferrari. This piece is what happens when you take the hardest complication to make (the split-second chronograph), throw in a tourbillon, and then say, “Make it Ferrari-worthy.” What you end up with is a 514-part movement packed into a futuristic case that looks like it belongs on the steering wheel of a Ferrari SF90.
For starters, the case comes in two flavors: microblasted titanium and Carbon TPT®, both limited to 75 pieces each. That’s right, only 150 watches worldwide. And we know that means they were gone faster than Leclerc on pole. Every line, every push-piece, every dial marker screams motorsport, without screaming in a way that feels forced.
The RM 43-01 even sneaks Ferrari’s design language into unexpected places. The chronograph pushers? Shaped like air intakes. The crown? It’s modeled after Ferrari’s drive-mode selectors. And the dial? It looks like you’re staring straight into a carbon-fiber engine bay. We see details here that show us this wasn’t a one-meeting collab, Ferrari and Richard Mille were passing sketches back and forth like pit strategies before a race.
The RM 43-01 features an off-centered tourbillon at 4 o’clock, which immediately catches the eye. It’s a bit like spotting the turbo on a 488 Pista, you know it's there for business, and it makes the whole thing look meaner. Then, there’s the torque indicator and power reserve, presented like gauges on a Ferrari dashboard, giving you real-time data on the inner workings of this mechanical marvel. The split-seconds chronograph? Smooth and sharp, perfect for timing your next Monza pit stop… or just how long you can stare at the dial without blinking.
How Much Does the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Cost
Oh, you know the saying, if you have to ask... But seriously, let’s talk numbers. The RM 43-01 comes in at a casual $1.3 million for the titanium version and bumps up to around $1.5 million for the Carbon TPT® version. Yes, that’s the sticker price. On the secondary market? Expect more.
This isn’t shocking if you’ve followed Richard Mille before. They make watches that are technically wild, visually bold, and painfully rare. Ferrari’s involvement only fuels the hype (and the price tag). Honestly, it makes sense when you remember Ferrari charges extra for the color red, so what did you expect from a watch that’s dripping with Maranello’s DNA?
But here’s the thing: the RM 43-01 isn’t just expensive for the sake of it. We’re talking about a tourbillon split-second chronograph that is rugged enough to take 5,000 Gs of shock. Yes, you read that right, this thing could probably survive being flung from a race car. Add in the fact that only 150 pieces exist, and suddenly the price feels... well, still ridiculous, but also kind of fair?
Ferrari DNA All Over the RM 43-01
One of the things we absolutely love about the RM 43-01 is how Ferrari’s spirit lives in every inch of this watch, from the dial to the tiniest detail. This is where a lot of collaborations fall flat. Some brands slap a logo on the back, maybe toss in a red strap, and call it a day. Not here. The RM 43-01 is a Ferrari through and through.
The dial design is basically a mini Ferrari cockpit. The power reserve indicator, torque display, and function selector mimic automotive gauges, right down to the fonts and layout. The split-seconds chronograph is like having a stopwatch worthy of timing laps at Fiorano. Even the chronograph hands look like they could have been lifted straight from the tachometer of an SF90 Stradale.
What’s more, the case proportions echo the smooth yet aggressive curves we associate with Ferrari design. The Carbon TPT® model has a stealthier look, while the titanium version, with its flashes of Ferrari red, screams motorsport heritage. And the kinetic seconds indicator? It’s literally a tiny five-spoke wheel spinning like a mini fan blade, pure racing energy on the wrist.
And we can’t ignore the prancing horse. Tucked into the lower left of the dial, Ferrari’s iconic logo plate quietly signals its racing roots, but does so with taste. It doesn’t shout or overpower. It rests there like the badge on the hood of a 488 Pista, a subtle reminder that this is something special. This is Ferrari and Richard Mille speaking the same language, fast, focused, and finely tuned.
A Closer Look at the Case and Materials
The RM 43-01 case is as technical as the movement itself. Richard Mille didn’t just make it tough; they made it art. It comes in two versions, both equally impressive depending on your style. The first is the microblasted grade 5 titanium with a Carbon TPT® caseband, giving it a cool two-tone, industrial feel. The second? Full Carbon TPT®, which takes lightness and strength to another level.
Let’s talk about that Carbon TPT® for a second. If you haven’t seen it up close, it has this layered, marbled pattern that looks like forged carbon, but sharper and more refined. It's made by stacking hundreds of layers of carbon fiber and then machining them down, giving every watch a unique look. No two cases are exactly the same, kind of like fingerprints or Ferrari’s custom paint jobs.
What we find so refreshing is that the RM 43-01 isn’t afraid to wear its ten and titanium spline screws are visible, not hidden. Even the pushers have aerodynamic recesses, shaped like intakes on a Ferrari. It feels mechanical, industrial, and precise, a racing machine for your wrist in the most literal sense.
We also have to mention how comfortable it wears despite its size. At 51.2 mm lug-to-lug and chnicality on the sleeve. The skeletonized case constructio17.1 mm thick, it sounds enormous, but it hugs the wrist surprisingly well. Chalk it up to the ergonomics Richard Mille always nails. And thanks to the use of Carbon TPT® and titanium, it’s shockingly light — lighter than many simple three-hand watches. You can almost forget you’re wearing an RM 43-01 until someone points at your wrist and asks, “Is that a Ferrari watch?”
The RM 43-01 Movement Deserves Applause
The heart of the RM 43-01 is the caliber RM43-01, a movement that feels like it came straight out of a Ferrari engine bay. Seriously, pop the caseback and you might expect to hear it roar. It’s an absolute technical marvel, a hand-wound split-second chronograph with a tourbillon and a power reserve of about 70 hours.
That’s already impressive, but Richard Mille didn’t stop there. They added a torque indicator to show how much tension is left in the mainspring and a crown function selector, so you don’t have to pull out the crown guessing what you’re adjusting. We like to think of it as Ferrari’s Manettino switch but for your watch.
Now, about that split-second chronograph, this is one of the most complicated mechanisms you’ll find in watchmaking. Why? Because timing two events at once and having them both reset properly requires insane precision. But the RM 43-01 handles it effortlessly, thanks to its twin column wheels and skeletonized clamp that reduce inertia. When you start the chronograph, you feel it engage like shifting gears in a classic Ferrari gated manual.
And because Richard Mille is allergic to making things easy, they decided to put the tourbillon off-center at 4 o’clock, giving the dial a unique visual balance. Above it spins the kinetic seconds display, part function, part fun, reminding you that mechanical watches don’t always have to be serious. We genuinely smiled watching it spin for the first time, and we bet you will too.
Wearing the RM 43-01 Feels Like Driving a Ferrari
Wearing the RM 43-01 is like slipping into the driver’s seat of a LaFerrari. Every crown adjustment, every push of the chronograph feels intentional, mechanical, and honestly, a little thrilling.
We love watches that give you feedback, that make you feel like you’re part of the mechanism. And the RM 43-01 does that better than most. You wind it, you feel the torque build. You start the chronograph, and you hear that precise click. There's a real tactile joy to this watch that gets lost in the spec sheets. It’s like the difference between watching an F1 car on TV and standing trackside as it roars past, one is cool, the other rattles your bones.
It’s no surprise that even F1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were spotted with the RM 43-01. When professional drivers geek out over a watch, you know it’s got something special under the hood. And if it’s good enough for the grid, it’s probably good enough for our wrists, at least in our dreams.
But here’s the kicker: for all its aggression, the RM 43-01 is balanced. It’s bold but not unwearable. It’s technical, but it doesn’t lecture you. We’ve worn watches that try too hard, that scream "look at me" with every detail. This one? It commands attention but earns it.
Own the Richard Mille RM 43-01 Ferrari Watch Today
If you’re the kind of enthusiast who craves horsepower in their horology, the RM 43-01 is your kind of watch. It brings together impressive specs and racing inspiration while reminding us what watches can still be bold, technical, and wildly fun.
We wouldn’t call it understated. We wouldn’t call it practical. But we would call it unforgettable. And in the luxury watch world, that’s sometimes the most important thing.
Adding Richard Mille watches to your collection brings racing royalty straight to your wrist. Visit Timepiece Trading to shop Richard Mille watches, browse other exclusive timepieces, or contact us for inquiries. It’s the perfect chance to own a timepiece that feels like strapping a Ferrari to your wrist.
