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Lot Essay
No. 5 of a limited edition of 150 pieces, this titanium Richard Mille RM011 Felipe Massa ‘Le Mans Classic’ celebrates the biennial vintage sports car event established by Richard Mille and Peter Auto in 2002.
The ‘Le Mans Classic’ emblem is prominently placed above the large date window. Among Richard Mille watches, the RM011 is most closely associated with motor racing having been developed with formula One driver Felipe Massa after whom the model is named.
The Le Mans Classic is held on the grounds of the ‘24 Hours Le Mans’ and is associated with Automobile Club de l’Ouest. The event began in 2002 and runs every two years in July on the full 13.65 km circuit also used for the annual modern day 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Le Mans Classic event of 2002 was the first time since 1923 that the full 24-hour Circuit, part of which is public road the rest of the year, was closed specifically for an event other than the annual running of the 24 Hours Le mans with contemporary sportcars and prototypes. The event allows car owners and gentleman drivers to experience what it must have been to race these cars on this circuit. Attendees make a great effort in their period dress and appearance for this prestigious event.
The RM011 was released in 2007 having been developed in collaboration with Brazillian Formula One driver Felipe Massa. Featuring a flyback chronograph function that can reset without stopping and a 60-minute countdown function, it also features an annual calendar with oversize date. A year was spent developing this contemporary masterpiece. The case requires 202 separate machining operations to finish to the required standard demanded by Richard Mille. The machine tooling process requires 8 days of adjusting the machines for the bezel, 5 days for the centre body and another 5 days for the case back. The watch houses a double barrel system and alpine screws for the bridge and case to improve torque stability. The design is based on the construction premise of Formula 1 racing cars whereby the chassis and engine have to work together in perfect harmony. The movement, the RMAC1 calibre is no ordinary automatic movement, it uses a variable geometry rotor to suit different lifestyles – this device optimises the winding of the mainspring by adapting it to the user’s activities to prevent overwinding.
The ‘Le Mans Classic’ emblem is prominently placed above the large date window. Among Richard Mille watches, the RM011 is most closely associated with motor racing having been developed with formula One driver Felipe Massa after whom the model is named.
The Le Mans Classic is held on the grounds of the ‘24 Hours Le Mans’ and is associated with Automobile Club de l’Ouest. The event began in 2002 and runs every two years in July on the full 13.65 km circuit also used for the annual modern day 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Le Mans Classic event of 2002 was the first time since 1923 that the full 24-hour Circuit, part of which is public road the rest of the year, was closed specifically for an event other than the annual running of the 24 Hours Le mans with contemporary sportcars and prototypes. The event allows car owners and gentleman drivers to experience what it must have been to race these cars on this circuit. Attendees make a great effort in their period dress and appearance for this prestigious event.
The RM011 was released in 2007 having been developed in collaboration with Brazillian Formula One driver Felipe Massa. Featuring a flyback chronograph function that can reset without stopping and a 60-minute countdown function, it also features an annual calendar with oversize date. A year was spent developing this contemporary masterpiece. The case requires 202 separate machining operations to finish to the required standard demanded by Richard Mille. The machine tooling process requires 8 days of adjusting the machines for the bezel, 5 days for the centre body and another 5 days for the case back. The watch houses a double barrel system and alpine screws for the bridge and case to improve torque stability. The design is based on the construction premise of Formula 1 racing cars whereby the chassis and engine have to work together in perfect harmony. The movement, the RMAC1 calibre is no ordinary automatic movement, it uses a variable geometry rotor to suit different lifestyles – this device optimises the winding of the mainspring by adapting it to the user’s activities to prevent overwinding.