A limited edition flyback chronograph is launched to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Le Mans.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and we were there a few weeks ago when the famous endurance race took place and there was a lot of action. But that’s not the only race taking place at the Circuit de Sarthe this month, as the circuit also hosts the biennial Le Mans Classic, a race that will run from June 29 to July 2. Vintage racing events held. To commemorate the centenary of Le Mans and the 11th edition of the Le Mans Classic, Richard Mille announces a limited edition of the RM 72-01 Flyback Chronograph, called the RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic.
Richard Mille has been a partner of the Le Mans Classic since its inception in 2002, and the event has grown into something closer to a festival, with more than 800 vintage cars taking to the track over the weekend. It’s a big event with lots of special programming, so if you’re in the area, be sure to dig into the calendar here.
Speaking of watches, Richard Mille has been producing special editions for the Le Mans Classic since 2008, and the RM 72-01 LMC is limited to 150 pieces in a white and green quartz TPT case with matching dial decorations and rubber straps. The tonneau-shaped case measures 38.4mm x 11.68mm x 47.34mm and is mechanically identical to other existing versions of the 72-01.
This means that the 72-01 LMC is equipped with the brand’s first flyback chronograph movement CRMC-1. It features a 4 Hz automatic movement with a 24-hour chronograph, a large date display, and a function indicator showing the elapsed time of the chronograph. The titanium dial is also adorned with classic Le Mans plaques that pay homage to the race’s progress, including the “16” displayed in red to commemorate the race’s 4pm start time.
If you want a more in-depth look at the RM 72-01, I recommend this in-depth report we wrote when the model was first released in 2020.
Richard Mille’s slogan literally means “racing machine on the wrist”, so we wouldn’t be surprised as they wanted to celebrate their ongoing connection to the Le Mans Classic event, while also celebrating Le Mans’ past 100 years of history. Rolex can’t have all the fun, right?
In fact, Richard Mille is doing what it can to create a special limited edition of an already impressive and dizzyingly expensive watch. Also, if you’re going to make a $335,000 chronograph (which is essentially a mid-range product in Richard Mille’s price range), look no further than someone who can afford to be a custodian of vintage racing cars Audience got cars.
While I may prefer the lighter colorway of my own 72-01, the platform has seen several iterations before, and it’s a model that manages to capture the heart of Richard Mille’s appeal. It’s a technically advanced and beautiful racing chronograph that, like many of the brand’s copy watches for men (and collectors), definitely feels like it came from the world of auto racing.
Sure, it’s ridiculously expensive and not exactly subtle, but – as in the world of top-spec racing – it’s arguably more of a feature than a bug for Richard Mille.
Base
Brand: Richard Mille
Model: RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic
Diameter: 38.4mm
Thickness: 11.68mm
Lug to lug: 47.34mm
Case Material: Quartz TPT
Dial color: green, white, black
Luminous: hour markers and hands
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap/bracelet: white rubber
sports
Movement: CRMC-1
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronograph, function indicators and seconds
Diameter: 29.1 x 31.25 mm
Thickness: 6.05mm
Power reserve: approx. 50 hours
Winding: automatic
Frequency: 28,800 times/hour
Gems: 39