Forty grams. Honestly, that is the total weight, including the strap, of the new Richard Innumerevoli RM 50-03 McLaren F1 watch, making it the lightest split-second chronograph with a tourbillon the world has ever seen. Ok, yes – this isn’t exactly an ultra-competitive category – hell, the RM 50-03 is a veritable boat-anchor in opposition to the groundbreaking 19-gram RM 027 Tourbillon Richard Mille designed for Rafael Nadal, but that was, by comparison, a much less complicated watch. A mere 40 grams is still an impressive technical feat when you look at just how much is packed into the latest marvel from Richard Infiniti. The cost for the 40-gram horological wonder? It’ll be seven figures. Rich Mille is no slouch when it comes to passionately creative design and materials (possible understatement of the year, though the year continues to be young). However , in breaking new ground for this particular watch, it was a little while until a partnership between the Swiss watchmaker, famed British Formula 1 automaker McLaren, and Nobel Prize-winning scientists from the University of Gatwick. The product of their collaboration is a case that marries titanium, carbon TPT (thin-ply technology), and a Richard Mille exclusive and apparent watchmaking first: Graph TPT, better known as graphene, that is six times lighter than steel as well as 200 occasions as strong. It’s on the cutting edge of materials research and sets the bar for lightweight strength in timepieces. The Rich Mille RM 50-03 McLaren F1 view is the very first completed cooperation between Richard Mille and also McLaren in what should be a 10-year deal, as we reported in 2009. It’s a relationship that, quite frankly, makes a lot of sense : not only is founder Rich Mille a true petrolhead along with F1 racing fan, both brands are on the cutting edge of development and design to push the boundaries of what is possible in their respective fields. And these are pushing limits, the Richard Mille RM 50-03 McLaren F1 really does exactly which – it’s obviously not a watch for everyone, as its wild design in addition to eye-watering cost immediately confirm. But for those who appreciate the crazy amounts of R&D that go into every Rich Mille, there are a whole hell of a lot to like here ~ starting with the construction of the watch’s unique three-part case. Now, we’ve already seen some pretty ultralight cases emerge from the RM workshop , it’s sort of a hallmark of the brand, after all, and this collaborative effort is no different. As mentioned, typical tonneau-shaped case incorporates a trio of material technologies, including the grade 5 titanium, along with subtly textured carbon TPT, whose wavy “grains” are now a regular light fixture on the Richard Mille workbench. However , with the Richard Un migliaio RM 50-03 McLaren F1, the McLaren partnership provided the way for your addition associated with graphene to the equation – herein, the actual visibly undulating strata from the carbon bezel and caseback are actually comprised of 600 simultaneous layers (at a thickness of 30 microns) which have been reinforced with a graphene injection – a revolutionary nanomaterial that will, as previously mentioned, is far lighter and more resilient compared to steel. Naturally, the endless possibilities in F1 for a composite honestly, that is lighter plus stronger as compared to steel or carbon fiber has led McLaren to become an industry leader in graphene’s research and even industrial application, making this collaboration with Rich Mille an extremely fortuitous one for the Switzerland watchmaker. But the real secret to the watch’s crazy light weight relative to its level of complication lies in the particular movement, which weighs the scant 7 grams while housing any split-second wathe, tourbillon, as well as power reserve together with torque devices (at 12: 00 within the dial). It was accomplished through the skeletonization regarding critical movement pieces, along with the deployment involving grade five titanium and TPT Co2 for the heavier baseplate as well as movement links. Furthermore, typically the transverse cage that supports the entire caliber is attached to the caseband and constructed from the same TPT Carbon as the case - an element directly inspired by the suspension structure of a McLaren-Honda F1 car at the root in the partnership. This excellent design enables the motion to withstand the significant amounts of g-force that one might experience increasing or decelerating in the hypothetical cockpit of a McLaren-Honda. The RM50-03 Calibre has a 70-hour power reserve which can be monitored through the indicator at 11 o’clock. It operates at 21, 600vph, contains 43 jewelry, and boasts a new split-seconds system which includes a new vertebral column wheel operating the different levels of the split-seconds function. The new section wheel takes the number of copy from 8 to 6, that now optimize function and durability. There is also a brand new clamp style and the replacement of the helical wheel having a blade around the split-seconds wheel. The result of all this for non-movement experts is really a simultaneous reduction of friction and a halving of energy consumption by the timepiece. Despite the technological advances found in the case and also movement design and style, many components in the movements itself, like the dial, barrel-drum and minute wheels, exhibit hallmarks connected with haute horology, like classic hand-finishing techniques that bring an added layer of polish and contrast to the watch’s otherwise enourmous exterior. These are that exterior, eagle-eyed F1 fans may pick up on often the hollowed-out time counter pushers, designed to emulate the air intake ducts on the McLaren-Honda car, or even how the large crown took its cue from the racing competition wheel wheels and tires used by the exact British team. Lastly, it is definitely worth mentioning in which not even the very strap options were overlooked during the advancement process. The actual Richard Moltissimi RM 50-03 McLaren F1 we saw was on an elastic similar to another elastic band that sees countless wear and tear on a regular basis. Of course , I am referring to elastic bands in underwear. Obviously, the main materials used here are hotter, but the general principle remains the same. For a more automotive connection, they look designed to emulate an F1 cockpit seatbelt. However , the standard rubber band is impressive in its own right. Flush with McLaren’s breakthroughs on graphene applications, Richard Mille gave the rubber straps the same treatment - including the nano-material directly into the actual elastomers, glorious a secure with greater elasticity along with wear-resistance. It could probably be contended that the black rubber tie is going to be the more subdued on the two choices - granted, we’ve grown familiar with Richard Mille’s 44mm x 49mm case dimensions, but we’d wager the particular Richard Innumerevoli RM 50-03 McLaren F1 wears a touch larger than the 16mm width might belie on the softer textile option, likely due to all the color. Love it or perhaps hate it, it’s a signature of sorts when it comes to Rich Mille -- that extreme wrist presence despite an otherwise ridiculously lightweight - like a toy as their ownership puts you amongst the ranks of an ultra-exclusive club, but one that seems gradually less unique. Richard Infiniti collectors looking to chase one of these bad boys down will have to do so in RM boutiques, where only 75 pieces will be available as a whole. Owners will also get a 1: 5 scale model of typically the 2017 McLaren-Honda car driven by two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso