In collaboration with Ferrari, Richard Mille has just launched the world’s thinnest watch. Having a thickness of just 1.75mm, the RM UP-01 Ferrari has broken the record set by the 1.80mm-thick Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra only a few months ago.
Creating a watch with such extreme dimensions is, of course, no easy task. Richard Mille has worked with the laboratories of Audemars Piguet Le Locle, and over 6,000 hours were spent on development and lab testing. The RM UP-01 has a completely different aesthetic than other Richard Mille timepieces, as the entire case is machined from a sheet of grade 5 titanium. The 1.18mm calibre RMUP-01 manual mechanical movement is assembled inside the case, with the baseplate and bridges also crafted of grade 5 titanium. To make the ultra slimness possible, parts such as gears and hands are distributed over a broader surface area rather than stacked in a traditional movement design.
The time is displayed at the 12 o’clock position, and to its right is the balance dial — both are covered in sapphire with anti-glare treatment. The watching is also so slim that a standard crown just wouldn’t fit on it. Instead, there is a function selector located around the 10 o’clock position, allowing the wearer to select the winding or hand-setting function, then complete the action by turning the second crown located underneath. Two black ceramic inserts surrounding the crowns are used to protect the bezel from friction and ensure water resistance.
Ferrari contributed to the choice of materials and execution of the watch, as well as lending the competitive spirit that the prancing horse is famous for. The exquisite watch is able to withstand accelerations of over 5,000gs and is water resistance to 10m, making it the perfect partner for exhilarating adventures on or off the road.
Limited to only 150 watches, the RM UP-01 Ferrari is priced at US$1,888,000.
