Last year, Alfa Romeo made a…not exactly a victory, but a decent return to the world of Formula 1, and they brought in best Richard Mille, a watchmaker with roughly the same experience in cutting-edge materials as the new team. division.
However, instead of the casual Italian driver you’d expect them to recruit, Alfa chose one of the most serious Finns in the business: former world champion Kimi Raikkonen. If anyone can appreciate a near-weightless, technologically advanced watch that can survive a head-on collision, it’s someone like Raikkonen. After all, they are exactly the kind of features drivers look for in a car.
It’s also a good thing, because now, following last year’s previous Alfa Romeo limited edition by Richard Mille, Kimi has his own driver-only version – and it’s pretty intense.
The RM 50-04 is as technical as a watch. First, the front and back of the case are made of white quartz TPT®, a combination of 600 layers of 45-micron-thick silicon heated to 120°C. If that wasn’t enough, the center barrel of the cask is made of carbon TPT – the same, but with carbon fiber. The result is something with cutting-edge features and an almost alien appearance.
Still, it would be disappointing if all ultralight cases were let down by heavy movement. But how does 7 grams sound? That’s the weight of the Grade 5 titanium and carbon TPT movement. The tourbillon-equipped movement is as fine-tuned and virtually frictionless as any racing machine. More so than some.
To complete the watch, the titanium dial uses flashing red on various indicators – including torque, function and power reserve indicators – along with the quartz TPT bezel to reference the Raikkonen C38 single-seater’s livery. The last bit is the unusual inclusion of the number 7, Kimi’s personal racing number.
Richard Mille wasn’t really a production watchmaker at the best of times. Instead, they push boundaries that others haven’t even reached – perfect for Finland’s most respected drivers. In fact, let’s leave you with a few words from the man himself:
“We Finns are known for our ‘guts’ and determination. We even have a word – sisu. However, in my sport sisu is not enough. I have to rely on high performance technology and teamwork, but above all Yes, there has to be pure passion! Richard Mille has powered his engine over the years with these three things – grit, technical prowess, and most importantly, fun. That’s why I am very Delighted to wear the groundbreaking RM 50-04 on my wrist.”
Model Name: Richard Mille RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen
Case/Dial: 44.50mm Diameter x 49.65mm Height x 16.10mm Thickness, Grade 5 Titanium
Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
Movement: Calibre RM50-03, manual winding
Functions: Hours, minutes, split-seconds chronograph, 30-minute totalizer
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours
Strap: Graphene and rubber