Richard Mille solidified its relationship with motorsport with the RM30-01 Le Mans Classic
Richard Mille continues to reinforce its strong relationship with the world of motorsports with the release of the new limited-edition RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic. The timepiece celebrates the 12th edition of the race and builds on a tradition which dates to 2008. Since then, every edition of the Le Mans Classic has seen the watchmaker develop timepieces culminating in ten special-edition watches, each showcasing Le Mans Classic’s corporate colours of green and white.
The latest is a limited edition comprising 150 timepieces. Staying true to tradition, the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic prominently features the customary green and white, which pays tribute to the Le Mans Classic. The case consists of titanium bezels sandwiching a Green Quartz TPT caseband, and the colours green and orange are displayed in the interior.
Giving it a motorsport feel is a checkered flag that frames the oversized date window. The distinct Le Mans Classic logo on the sapphire crystal caseback and a racing-vented green rubber strap are the finishing touches to the timepiece that is inspired by an event that bears close association with the brand values of Richard Mille.
The 150-piece limited-edition RM 30-01 celebrates the 12th edition of Le Mans Classic in 2025 / Photos: Richard Mille
The link between the watchmaker and the world of motorsport lies in the precise way in which the watches are created. The technical details of the RM 30-01 Le Mans Classic are developed with the same precision that a racing car is constructed.
At the heart of the timepiece is the Calibre RMAR2, which has been modified to accommodate a new 24-hour counter. The racing vibe is accentuated with the “16” numeral shaded in green, which is a reference to the start time of the race, sometimes named the “green flag.”
This detail gives the dial new character, enhanced by a reinterpreted skeletonised dial design. This creates the effect of a racing circuit. Through titanium bridges and the skeletonised baseplate, its course is pursued by the 55-hour power reserve display. Watch aficionados describe this as not unlike that of a high-performance race car, where each “component serves a purpose, and every gram counts.”
The watch allows the wearer to play with interesting innovations as the clutch engagement indicator (at 11 o’clock) shows the owner whether the rotor is operating in the winding phase (on) or is disengaged (off), while the function selector (3 o’clock) aids the wearer in choosing a crown setting.
Since 2008, Richard Mille has created a special timepiece for every Le Mans Classic, resulting in ten editions — all featuring the event’s signature colours green and white
Established in 2002 as a biennial celebration of racing cars that made history as the greatest endurance race of all time, the 12th edition of Le Mans Classic took place from July 3 to 6 in France, featuring 750 impressive racing cars that date back to 1923 right through to the 2000s.
Like the previous 11 editions, the cars competed over 24 hours in six different categories along the legendary 13.6km Sarthe circuit.
While around 1,000 drivers vied for race titles, the grounds and village of Le Mans Classic saw more than 9,000 classic cars on exhibition from 80 different brands and more than 200 automobile clubs as well as private collectors. The event welcomed around 30,000 spectators.
Through titanium bridges and the skeletonised baseplate, its course is pursued by the 55-hour power reserve display
For more than two decades now, Richard Mille has been a key partner of the event, sharing the same values of celebrating mechanical beauty. In doing so, the watchmaker has honoured the past while also continuing an unwavering commitment to racing.
This is supported by the fact that Maxime Guenat, son of co-founder Dominique Guenat, has followed in the footsteps of his father and competes in historic car racing at the highest level, proof that the automotive inspiration of Richard Mille is carried through to the next generation both on and off the track.
The classic logo on the sapphire crystal caseback and a racing-vented green rubber strap pays homage to an event that is so dear to the brand
