Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari: The World’s Thinnest Watch

Photo: Quill & Pad

The relationship between Ferrari and Richard Mille has always been breaking norms. The RM UP-01 Ferrari, the legendary Swiss watchmaker’s newest wristwatch, was introduced a few weeks ago. This model has displaced the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra as the tiniest timepiece in the world, with a stated case width of only 1.75 millimeters.

The multi-year collaboration between Richard Mille and the storied Italian brand began last year, and the result is the RM UP-01 Ferrari. What a great way to start matters off!

On the other hand, the brand is better remembered for its durable sporting watches. Thus, it seems to consider the partnership as an opportunity to accomplish something utterly novel and unconventional.

Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari Technical Features

• The case, hands, and dial

The casing, which measures 51mm diameter x 39mm from lug to lug, is best regarded as a broad rectangular with curved edges. Even though it is exceedingly tiny, the RM UP-01 Ferrari retains the brand’s distinguishing visible screws all around it. The general case form resembles Richard Mille’s iconic tonneau pattern turned 90 degrees.

Photo: Monochrome

The front of the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari is mostly made of titanium. It includes four tiny circular apertures and the Ferrari racehorse insignia inscribed on them, as opposed to the typical dial with the center located hands surrounded by a crystal.

The little register in the middle of the piece’s upper part of the surface tells the time, whereas the ring to its right gives a glimpse of the balancing. Tiny sapphire crystals protect each of these. The watch’s movement is also accessed by the two rings on the device’s left edge.

A substantially thicker architecture would have been produced using a conventional wound crown configuration. Therefore, Richard Mille chose a distinctive style in which dual revolving disc-shaped crowns are flush with the watch surface. The bottom one is used to wound the device and adjust the time, while the upper one acts as a function selector button.

Photo: Revolution Watch

In addition, one piece of 5th-grade titanium makes up the back portion of the casing, which bolts into the face half. The dual adjustment discs are individually covered with ceramic inlays to minimize friction and aid in the RM UP-01 Ferrari’s 10M waterproofing.

• Movement 

The incredibly slim Caliber RMUP-0 is what drives the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari. The horological prototype, formerly referred to as Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi (APR&P), collaborated on its creation with the Audemars Piguet Le Locle factories.

Richard Mille and APR&P have partnered on most of the company’s intricate works, from design to manufacturing. The RMUP-01 movement, which is manually windable and has a functional switch as well as an hour and minute indicator, weighs only 2.82 grams and has a diameter of just 1.18mm. Despite this, it can endure accelerations of up to 5,000 G. It also provides customers with a 45-hour power reserve suited to a greater speed of 4Hz. This makes it more appropriate for devices that are anticipated to be subjected to shocks regularly.

Photo: Ablogtowatch

The movement has several completely reworked elements to assist Richard Mille in his quest for slimness. The protection pin and tiny plate of the balancing, two components that stop the anchoring from drifting back through the free state of the balancing wheel’s movement, were removed to minimize depth. The redesigned ultra-flat escapement, also trademarked, substitutes an extended fork with novel horns for such “anti-reversal” components.

Furthermore, caliber RMUP-01 features a baseplate with skeletonized bridges made of 5th-grade titanium for optimal durability and lightweight. Likewise, the movement includes a titanium variable-inertia balancing disc for the best stability and accuracy and a new and proprietary escapement to minimize height further.

Final Thoughts 

Overall, the RM UP-01 Ferrari has set a new worldwide record for ultra-thin mechanical horology, which is excellent for the company and watchmaking’s reputation.

Photo: SJX Watches

It exhibits vibrance, vigor, and commitment, and for these qualities, it deserves praise. Although the co-branding and comfort in the actual world are controversial, the label only requires to impress a selected few for this type of experiment in ultra-high-end watchmaking.