Sir Lewis Hamilton turned heads once again at Silverstone, not just for his return to home turf but for the jaw-dropping ensemble and rare wristwear he chose to sport. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion strolled into the paddock wearing a sleeveless, burgundy-colored dress that shimmered under the British sun.
Known as much for his risk-taking fashion sense as his racing brilliance, Hamilton looked effortlessly at ease in the outfit, blending high fashion with unmistakable confidence. But what truly caught the eyes of watch enthusiasts was what sat on his wrist: the newly launched Richard Mille RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari.
Priced at around $1.5 million, the RM 43-01 is the latest result of the collaboration between Richard Mille and Ferrari. Where their earlier effort focused on ultra-thin minimalism, the 43-01 takes the opposite approach. This is a statement piece in every sense, packed with technical wizardry and dripping in motorsport DNA.
The case measures nearly 43 millimeters across, with a thickness of 17.1 millimeters and a lug-to-lug span of over 51 millimeters, giving it serious wrist presence. Available in two versions, one with a titanium and Carbon TPT mid-case, and another in full Carbon TPT, it offers a choice between classic luxury and cutting-edge performance styling.
Inside the tonneau-shaped case is the manually wound RM43-01 movement includes a flying tourbillon and a split-seconds chronograph powered by dual column wheels. There are also indicators for power reserve, torque, and a crown function display that toggles between winding, neutral, and hacking modes. All of this is visible through a skeletonized dial and caseback, revealing the mechanical depth and micro-engineering that took three years to develop. Running at 3 Hz with a 70-hour power reserve, it’s as robust as it is intricate.
True to Ferrari’s ethos, the watch includes design touches directly inspired by their cars. The hour markers echo the shape of a Ferrari air intake, while a small logo plate matches the silhouette of a wing endplate from Ferrari’s 499P Le Mans Hypercar. Only 75 pieces of each version will be made, making it as exclusive as it is complex.
Hamilton, always a connoisseur of rare and beautiful machines, wore the RM 43-01 not as a statement of wealth but as an extension of his identity. Just like his racing and his fashion, the watch is bold, high performance, and uniquely him.
