Lewis Hamilton made waves off the track during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend—not just for his presence at the Ferrari hospitality suite, but for being photographed alongside Jennifer Lopez while wearing the striking Richard Mille RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT. The seven-time World Champion is no stranger to bold style statements, and his choice of timepiece added a layer of horological swagger to the high-profile moment.
Richard Mille and Ferrari officially entered into a multi-year partnership in 2021, a collaboration rooted in shared values of precision engineering, innovation, and elite performance. This partnership has since birthed timepieces that push the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking. Hamilton, though a Mercedes driver, is a long-time ambassador of the brand and often wears Richard Mille watches that reflect his personality and competitive edge.
The RM 74-02 is one of Richard Mille’s most visually arresting creations. It features a case made from Gold Quartz TPT – a high-tech composite developed with North Thin Ply Technology. This material combines ultra-thin quartz fibers with 22-carat 5N red gold, creating unique striations of gold and white across the surface.
No two cases are exactly alike due to the random layering process, ensuring every RM 74-02 is a one-of-a-kind piece. While the top and bottom plates are Gold Quartz TPT, the caseband is crafted from solid 18k rose gold, adding to the watch’s structural heft and luxury.
Inside, the RM 74-02 houses the in-house CRMT5 caliber, a skeletonized automatic movement equipped with a flying tourbillon.
The movement features a variable-inertia balance wheel, a fast-rotating barrel, and a variable-geometry rotor that allows the winding system to be fine-tuned to the wearer’s level of activity. Despite the open architecture, the movement delivers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. The dial itself is integrated into the movement, with hand-finished rose gold bridges and a polished tourbillon bridge showcased under a curved sapphire crystal.
Strap options range from white or black rubber with Velcro or folding clasps, to a fully integrated rose gold Cuban bracelet—the latter being the configuration Hamilton appeared to be wearing. That version carries an eye-watering price tag of $660,000, while the standard rubber-strapped model costs around $603,000.
With its combination of rare materials, advanced mechanics, and unapologetic design, the Richard Mille RM 74-02 is the perfect choice for someone like Hamilton. And when paired with a surprise appearance by Jennifer Lopez in the paddock, it turned a routine race weekend into a headlining moment of celebrity and haute horology.
