The announcement of a new brand partnership is an almost everyday occurrence in the world of horology. This leads to watch brands of all sizes lining themselves up with a variety of luxury products and celebrity ambassadors. Despite the negativity that occasionally surrounds these partnerships from a consumer perspective, it has often felt like the most organic brand relationships have stemmed from the automotive industry. Around this time last year, it was announced that Richard Mille and McLaren had joined forces. During the Geneva Motor Show last week, we finally got to see what the forward-thinking pair had come up with.
McLaren Design Director Rob Melville
With just a glance, you can tell that the RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph is a Richard Mille product. The tonneau shape, skeletonized dial, and polychromatic aesthetic leave no doubt about that. The RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph
Born from the minds of McLaren Design Director Rob Melville and Richard Mille Engineer Fabrice Namura, the new watch is made from Carbon TPT interlaced with Orange Quartz TPT. TPT is Thin Ply Technology, a proprietary method of layering carbon fiber (which is why you can see the horizontal striations) that Richard Mille introduced in 2013. The orange is, of course, a reference to the many different McLaren vehicles that have used the same tint. Titanium pushers are meant to recall the highlights of the McLaren 720S. Titanium inserts, similar in shape to the ...