The spirit of Le Mans, captured in a timepiece

The power and precision of Le Mans captured in a timepiece

Every two years, the rolling hills of the French countryside resonate with the thunder of vintage engines as the Le Mans Classic transforms the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe into a living tribute to motorsport history. This celebration of engineering, heritage, and passion is more than a race. It’s where classic machines roar back to life and their stories are relived on every straight and curve.

For watch enthusiasts, the excitement goes beyond the track. Since 2002, Richard Mille has been not just a sponsor, but a true partner of this iconic event. Each edition of the Le Mans Classic inspires a timepiece that mirrors the precision, endurance, and innovation of the race itself. In 2025, for the 12th edition, the brand presents the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic, a limited edition of 150 pieces that seamlessly bridges the golden era of motorsport with contemporary haute horlogerie.

A century of racing legacy

The Le Mans Classic was far more than a race, it was a living tribute to nearly a century of motorsport history. From July 3 to 6, 2025, over 750 historic race cars, spanning from 1923 to the 2000s, thundered down the legendary 13.6 km Sarthe circuit, divided into six grids that celebrated the evolution of speed, design, and engineering across generations.

But the spectacle didn’t stop on the track. Beyond the roar of engines, more than 9,000 classic cars were showcased, curated by over 200 automobile clubs and passionate collectors. What began in 2002 as a modest gathering of 30,000 spectators has grown into a global motorsport festival, drawing over 235,000 enthusiasts in 2023 alone. For anyone captivated by the scent of petrol, the gleam of polished chrome, and the visceral thrill of racing engines, the Le Mans Classic proved to be nothing short of a pilgrimage.

Richard Mille and Le Mans Classic’s genuine partnership

Richard Mille’s connection to the Le Mans Classic goes far beyond mere branding. Since the very beginning, the brand has served as a principal partner, with founder Richard Mille and his long-time associate Dominique Guenat taking the wheel of historic racing cars themselves. Today, the legacy continues with Maxime Guenat, carrying the family’s passion for racing into the next generation.

Shared values and a genuine appreciation for excellence drive this partnership. Just as every classic race car is a masterpiece of engineering, every Richard Mille timepiece celebrates precision, innovation, and endurance. On the track or on the wrist, both embody the same pursuit of perfection and the thrill of performance.

Racing spirit on the wrist

The RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic marks the tenth commemorative edition created for the event since 2008. Limited to just 150 pieces, this timepiece perfectly captures the essence of the race, combining dynamic design with technical innovation.

Case and design: Measuring 42 x 49.94 x 14.15 mm, the tonneau-shaped case features titanium bezels framing a striking Green Quartz TPT caseband. The racing theme continues through green and orange accents on the dial, a checkered flag motif around the oversized date window, and the Le Mans Classic logo engraved on the sapphire crystal caseback. A vented green rubber strap completes the motorsport-inspired aesthetic, echoing the perforated leather of classic racing gloves.

Dial and display: The skeletonised dial reveals a structure reminiscent of a racetrack, with titanium bridges and baseplate flowing like the curves of the Circuit de la Sarthe. A 24-hour counter features a highlighted “16” numeral, a nod to the traditional 4 PM start of the endurance race, tying timekeeping directly to racing heritage.

Functions: Engineered for both style and performance, the watch features hours, minutes, and seconds, an oversized date, a power reserve indicator, a clutch engagement display at 11 o’clock, and a function selector at 3 o’clock — blending practical functionality with the technical sophistication expected from Richard Mille.

Precision in motion

One of the most remarkable innovations of the RM 30-01 lies within its Calibre RMAR2 movement. Departing from traditional automatic watches that rely on a sliding flange to prevent overwinding, this timepiece features a declutchable variable-geometry rotor, in a true testament to Richard Mille’s mechanical ingenuity.

How it works:

• When the 55-hour power reserve is reached, the rotor automatically disengages, preventing excess tension on the mainspring.
• As the power reserve drops to 40 hours, the rotor re-engages, winding the watch to restore energy.
• A clutch engagement indicator keeps the wearer informed, showing whether the rotor is actively winding or disengaged.

This intelligent system ensures consistent torque delivery, protects the movement from wear, and maintains chronometric precision over time, much like the fine-tuned engineering that keeps a racing car performing at its peak, lap after lap.

A tribute to endurance and excellence

For those lucky enough to wear it, the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic is more than just a timepiece — it is a living tribute to racing heritage. On the wrist, it carries the spirit of the Sarthe circuit, the roar of vintage engines, and the relentless pursuit of mechanical perfection. Every glance at the watch is a reminder of endurance, precision, and the timeless artistry that unites motorsport and haute horlogerie.

Engineered for those who set the pace

The Richard Mille RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic is the perfect embodiment of the shared DNA between motorsport and haute horlogerie: performance, endurance, and a passion for precision engineering. Just as the Le Mans Classic keeps the stories of racing legends alive, this timepiece honours tradition while pushing innovation forward. Limited to only 150 pieces worldwide, it is far more than a collector’s item — it is a symbol of connection between the thrill of the track and the artistry of timekeeping, a legacy that lives on every time the rotor winds and the hands sweep.

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