The Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split-Seconds Chronograph McLaren W1 is a high-performance timepiece limited to 500 pieces, designed to commemorate the launch of the McLaren W1 supercar. The watch features a 43.84mm wide and 49.94mm long tonneau-shaped case constructed from Carbon TPT, a lightweight and durable composite material. Its complex architecture includes a bezel with a unique indented design and a grade 5 titanium middle case. The watch is powered by the Vaucher-based RMAC4 automatic movement, which operates at a high frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vph) and provides a power reserve of approximately 60 hours. A signature technical feature is the rapid-winding system, activated by an orange quartz TPT pusher at the 8 o’clock position, allowing the wearer to quickly rearm the mainspring.
The complications are centered around a sophisticated split-seconds (rattrapante) chronograph that allows for the timing of two separate events simultaneously. The skeletonized titanium dial displays a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, and running seconds at 6 o’clock. A vertical semi-instantaneous date window is positioned at 11 o’clock. Legibility is managed through color-coding: yellow for time, orange for the chronograph, and blue for the split-seconds function. Additionally, a function selector at 4 o’clock, operated via the crown pusher, allows the wearer to cycle between winding, date setting, and hand-setting modes, similar to a car’s gearbox.
General reviews highlight the RM 65-01 for its exceptional ergonomics and lightweight feel despite its substantial 16.19mm thickness. The curved case design and integrated rubber strap are frequently praised for making the watch surprisingly wearable on various wrist sizes. While the technical sophistication of the 5-year development process is widely respected, some critics note the rapid-winding mechanism requires a high number of presses—up to 125—to fully wind the watch from empty. The timepiece is generally regarded as a premier example of “racing machines for the wrist,” blending advanced material science with highly complex mechanical engineering.