Ferrari's Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc finally won the Monaco Grand Prix in his seventh attempt. An elated Leclerc took the podium to euphoric applause—the victory was particularly significant for the locals as it was the first time that a Monégasquesa had won the GP on home ground since 1931. Albert II, Prince of Monaco, was reported to have tears in his eyes and happily joined in the champagne-spraying tradition after the trophy presentation.
The hawk-eyed would notice a white watch on Leclerc throughout the celebration. The watch was a Richard Mille, which was no surprise given the brand's close relationship with Ferrari—it became the sponsor of the Italian marque's Formula 1 team in 2021. The partnership has also produced one of the most talked-about watches in recent years, the RM UP-01, one of the thinnest watches in the world.
Read more: Richard Mille RM 35-03 has a winding rotor that can pause on demand
Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari
But Leclerc wore a different watch during his triumphant moment: the RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph in white ceramic. The watch boasts the first flyback chronograph movement, the automatic CRMC-1, developed entirely by Richard Mille. Introduced in 2020, it features a patented double oscillating pinion mechanism, which has little effect on the 50-hour power reserve. This innovative mechanism allows the chronograph to operate with minimal impact on the power reserve.
Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph in white ceramic
Eschewing the geometrical placement of the indicators, the minute counter can be found at 2 o’clock, the hour at 5 o’clock, and the seconds at 9 o’clock. The big date counter can be found at ‘7’. The only numerals for the hour markers on the dial are ‘3’, ‘8’ and ‘11’.
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