The limited-edition Richard Mille RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic is a mechanical tribute to motorsport history.
The excitement is back! From July 3-6, the Le Mans Classic event returns, and with it comes another extraordinary Richard Mille limited edition, celebrating the golden age of endurance racing. The RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic marks the Swiss brand’s 12th timepiece dedicated to this biennial celebration since their inaugural partnership in 2002. Scheduled to debut alongside the event and just like its predecessors, this 150-piece model embraces the iconic green and white color scheme of the competition. It also incorporates design cues inspired by the 13.6 km Sarthe circuit and the era-spanning grids that revisit the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1923 to 1981. With its meticulous craftsmanship and evocative design, the RM 30-01 is both a testament to Richard Mille’s technical mastery and a tribute to the timeless allure of motorsport’s history.
Case
The RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic features a robust, tripartite case measuring 42.00 × 49.94 × 14.15 mm. Front and back bezels are crafted from grade 5 titanium, chosen for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, while the central caseband is made of Green Quartz TPT. This layered construction not only creates a striking visual contrast but also provides structural integrity under stresses akin to those experienced on a racetrack.
Assembly relies on 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant 316L stainless steel washers, ensuring secure joins and long-term durability. Internally, three nitrile O-ring seals deliver water resistance to 50 metres – adequate for everyday encounters with moisture. Interior flanges in DLC-treated titanium are fitted with luminous index points, aiding legibility in low light. The absence of a traditional casing ring simplifies the profile, while four titanium screws and silent blocks affix the movement directly to the chassis. This ISO-standard mounting underscores Richard Mille’s holistic approach to case and movement design, prioritising rigidity, shock absorption, and precise alignment of internal components.
Dial of the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic
The dial of the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic is a study in layered engineering and motorsport-inspired aesthetics. A 0.40 mm sapphire disc treated with anti-glare coatings sits above a skeletonised baseplate, allowing visual access to the calibre RMAR2 beneath. The openworked layout evokes the contours of a racing circuit, with bridges and components forming a graphic timetable of gear trains and mechanics.
Key functional elements are highlighted in green and orange, echoing the Le Mans Classic’s livery: the ’16’ on the newly added 24-hour counter is shaded green to mark the traditional 4 pm start (the so-called ‘green flag’), and a checkered-flag motif frames the oversized two-digit date aperture at 4 o’clock. At 11 o’clock, a clutch engagement indicator displays whether the rotor is engaged (winding) or disengaged, while a function selector at 3 o’clock allows the wearer to toggle between winding, hand-setting, and date adjustment. Silicon braces secure the sapphire disc to the movement, combining technical necessity with a distinctive, industrial aesthetic. Overall, the dial balances complexity, readability, and thematic coherence tied to classic endurance racing.
Movement
Central to the RM 30-01 is the calibre RMAR2, an automatic skeletonised movement reconfigured to incorporate a 24-hour counter. Power is delivered by a double-barrel system that provides around 55 hours of reserve. A power-reserve indication at 10 o’clock keeps track of the remaining energy. A standout feature is the declutchable variable-geometry rotor: when the mainspring reaches full wind, the rotor disengages automatically to prevent over-winding. This system works in concert with the power-reserve indicator to optimise torque and maintain consistent chronometric performance.
The movement also includes a free-sprung Glucydur balance wheel, running at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) with four adjustable inertia weights for precise regulation and improved shock resistance. Manufacturing and finishing pay homage to haute horlogerie: baseplate and bridges in grey electroplasma-treated grade 5 titanium ensure rigidity and flatness; sapphire-blasted and hand-drawn steel parts; sandblasted, rhodium-plated wheels; and hand-made anglage and polishing on screw slots and bridges. A push-button at 2 o’clock operates the function selector, making operation straightforward. Together, these elements evidence a movement designed and finished to demanding motorsport standards.
Strap
The RM 30-01 is paired with a green rubber strap that reinforces the model’s motorsport origins. Rubber is chosen for its flexibility, durability, and resistance to environmental factors—qualities essential for a watch exposed to varied conditions on and off the track. The strap’s perforations echo ventilation ducts found on classic racing cars, offering airflow to the wrist and reducing weight. A grade 5 titanium folding clasp secures the strap, matching the case’s materials and ensuring a consistent aesthetic.
Price & Availability of the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic
Richard Mille will release only 150 examples of the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic, underscoring its exclusivity. Although official retail pricing has not been publicly disclosed, Richard Mille’s special-edition watches typically carry a six-figure price tag. Availability is expected through the brand’s own boutiques and authorised dealers beginning in summer 2025, timed with the Le Mans Classic event itself.
The manufacturer from Le Sentier now also runs a chalet. Why? The question is more than justified. But it initially brought another mystery to mind: what is the secret to the success of classic mechanical watches? I think there is hardly any other product that has been so successful for such a long time without…
A new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch! The latest version of the first watch worn on the moon features a white lacquered dial and black hands for the first time. A red Speedmaster lettering provides a striking contrast and is inspired by the rare Speedmaster Alaska Project. A first version was spotted on the wrist of Omega…
OMEGA is presenting the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep, a diver's watch with exceptional water resistance of up to 6,000 metres. In fact, the new line is based on a prototype that survived the record depth of 10,934 metres unscathed in 2019. The civilian models now unveiled come in seven variants, six of which feature…
The Hermès Arceau Rocabar de Rire watch is a delightful fusion of artistry and craftsmanship, reflecting the brand's rich heritage and innovative spirit. First designed by Henri d'Origny in 1978, the Arceau line has been a canvas for Hermès' creative expressions. This latest iteration, adorned with horsehair marquetry, engraving, and miniature painting, captures the whimsical…
Panerai presents its new Submersible Bronzo in a stand-alone collection. It has a limited production of 1.000 units per year, but is no longer a 'special edition'. It means that Panerai keeps the flexibility to continue its production in the years after. This will especially please many Panerai fans because previous models have always been limited to 1.000 pieces within a…
Jaeger-LeCoultre is introducing two new Memovox models to its Master Control collection, one of which is the Master Control Memovox Timer (The other one is the Master Control Memovox). Although contemporary in style, the watch takes its inspiration from the 1950s Memovox models. Additionally, the timepiece's movement incorporates not only an alarm-setting mechanism, but also…
Frederique Constant is presenting the Slimline Moonphase Date Manufacture seconde/seconde/ Limited Edition, the result of a collaboration with the French artist seconde/seconde/. Originally, the manufacture wanted to emphasise the craftsmanship that goes into its watches. With this task in hand, seconde/seconde/ set to work. Romaric André artistically customises vintage watches. The commentator, comedian and watch…
The Boeing 747 revolutionised commercial aviation like no other long-haul aircraft. When the Boeing 747 was launched in 1969, it offered a more affordable long-haul experience than any other jumbo jet, with unprecedented spacious cabins that spanned two aisles and two decks. This was a time in which aviation – unlike today – was still…
Breguet is expanding its pilot's watch collection with the Breguet Type XXI 3815. It is a modern and sporty reinterpretation of the Type XXI 3817, presented back in 2016. Particularly striking features include the flashy numerals and hands, which are either orange or green. The watch appears in a titanium case, which allows a view…
Rolex's ever-popular Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II is enjoying an update at this year's Watches and Wonders fair, with two new editions joining the collection. The two Oystersteel novelties feature a 24-hour graduated two-colour Cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black ceramic, a feature we saw for the first time only last year. The only difference…
Frederique Constant has expanded its Classic Worldtimer Manufacture collection to include two new limited editions in a striking forest green. These additions feature a world map dial, a date, and a manufacture movement, all housed in a 42mm steel or 18-carat rose gold case. With a user-friendly world time function and automatic winding, these watches…
The new Oris Aquis Whale Shark Limited Edition draws attention to the threat facing the whale shark. The whale shark is the largest fish on earth and is now on the IUCN list of endangered species. In honour of the species, the new special edition has a dial inspired by the whale shark's skin. It…
With its distinctly classic aesthetic, the new Captain Cook Over-Pole takes on a unique role within Rado’s otherwise futuristic design language. It brings back the charm of a bygone era. This reinterpretation of the original Rado Over-Pole world time watch, first launched in 1962, stays close to its historical roots – particularly in terms of…