Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939, Ferrari began enjoying tremendous racing success in the 1950s and 60s. Over the years, the company has gone on to create some of the most renowned sports cars in history, triumphing in many of the world’s most famous competitions – from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mille Miglia and Targa Florio endurance races, to Formula One’s most glamorous event, the Monaco Grand Prix. This racing pedigree, and the success of Ferrari drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio, Alberto Ascari and Phil Hill, have helped make it one of the most celebrated car brands in the world.

Today, Scuderia Ferrari holds the record for the greatest number of Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles, at 15; as well as the most World Constructors’ Championship wins, at 16.

A brand whose DNA encompasses performance, avant-garde design, and innovative engineering and materials, Richard Mille has come a long way since its founding in 2001. Reflecting its priorities, the Swiss watch brand has partnered with some of the world’s most famous athletes over the years, including tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, golfing champion Bubba Watson and Formula One driver Romain Grosjean. In mid-2022, the prodigious young Ferrari Formula One driver Charles Leclerc joined that hallowed list.

Richard Mille watches are designed with strong personalities and unprecedented levels of complexity, with practically no limits on investment in R&D. The brand’s engineers have in common with those of the Italian automotive company an obsession with innovating to the extreme – so who better for Richard Mille to partner with than Ferrari?

“Everyone knows that Ferrari is an iconic brand with an incredible history, and a true following – from the legendary Tifosi [supporters of Scuderia Ferrari] to collectors of classic cars,” the Richard Mille company said in a statement. “The whole team is thrilled about the collaboration with Ferrari, and committed to creating a strong and passionate partnership.”

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A timepiece pushing the boundaries of mechanical possibility, the RM UP-01 Ferrari is a triumph of technical prowess, presenting a recalibrated take on horological aesthetics. Richard Mille’s thinnest watch to date, the timepiece is just 1.75mm thick.

Every Richard Mille watch is designed for a specific environment and niche – from motorsports and athletics, to lifestyle and art. Whether tonneau-shaped, round or ultra-flat, form necessarily follows function. The brand’s unparalleled attention to detail and impeccable ergonomics come to the fore, with a focus on eliminating the superfluous.

“Ferrari and Richard Mille share many common values, from technology and [hi-tech] materials, to the passion we put into coming up with and designing our products,” said Mattia Binotto, then team principal of Scuderia Ferrari, at the time of the partnership’s announcement.

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“Both brands bear the name of their founder, and represent their dreams and visions,” he continued, describing the watch company as a “great racing fan”.

“Richard Mille shares our commitment to attracting young people to motorsport.”