STYLE Edit: F1 ‘Iceman’ Kimi Räikkönen meets his steely match in Richard Mille signature watch model
In the luxury watch world, Richard Mille is dubbed the king of cool. And in the world of motor racing, there is really only one driver who qualifies for the same title.
When Kimi Räikkönen, aka the “Iceman”, takes the to Formula One track this season, it as a driver partner of the Richard Mille family, with the honour of having a watch named after him – the RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen.
We meet ‘Iceman’ Räikkönen ahead of Singapore Grand Prix
After making more than 300 Grand Prix starts over an 18-year F1 career – clocking more than 103 podium placements and 21 wins – for 2019 the Finn left Ferrari for Alfa Romeo, with which Richard Mille has a close association. In fact, Richard Mille – the man and the brand – identifies with high-level motor racing and its legendary drivers and crafts watches specific to the needs of the sport. The RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen exemplifies the driver’s ultra-cool, feel-no-pressure approach to racing.
The red and white colour scheme of the watch echoes the body of the team’s C38 racing car, as well as the Alfa Romeo team’s gear. The strap is red and the bezel and case back are white, constructed of the Quartz TPT, which fuses 600 layers of silicon impregnated with a white matrix and heated to a high temperature, and a Carbon TPT middle. The result is a body that is non-allergenic, UV-resistant and with a high resistance-to-weight ratio.
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Räikkönen’s mark is on the titanium dial, which bears a white figure “7” outlined in red (his racing number) and the legend RM 50-04 KIMI in white. The play of white and red on – and literally through – the dial continues, with red touching the flange, the chronograph counters, and the power reserve, torque and function indicators. It is not only about aesthetics: the combination of technical solutions gives exceptional resistance, tested in-house with impacts of 5,000g, says Richard Mille.
It would not be a Richard Mille watch without a fascinating complexity. The materials used and the intense skeletonisation reduce the weight to just seven grams; the combination of complications, from which it draws its name, are the opposite of lightweight. To include both the tourbillon and the split-seconds required the research team to find ways to reduce friction, which was done by improving the profile of the teeth on the barrel and the second wheel pinion. According to Richard Mille: “The latter led to an excellent distribution of torque and an optimised output.”
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The brand describes the combination of the tourbillon escapement and the chronograph paired with the fine skeletonisation as “absolute chronograph perfection”.
Only 30 pieces of the RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen will be out on sale. The brand says it pays homage to a great driver and it is certainly a fitting tribute to a great sport.
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The racing driver has the last word. Speaking at the September 18 launch event, ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Räikkönen said: “We in Finland are known for our guts and determination. We even have a word for it – sisu.
“However, in my sport sisu is not enough. I have to rely on high-performance technology and teamwork but most of all, though, there has to be sheer passion. Richard Mille has powered his own engine for years with all three of these – guts, technological prowess and, above all, fun. That’s why I am more than happy to be at the wheel with the groundbreaking RM 50-04 on my wrist.”
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Just 30 of the sought-after RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Kimi Räikkönen will be sold, following high-profile launch at the Singapore Grand Prix