At the intersection of automotive excellence and haute horlogerie, two symbols of Italian and Swiss craftsmanship have made headlines in August 2025. Richard Mille, the renowned Swiss watchmaker, unveiled the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari, a timepiece that encapsulates the spirit of Ferrari in both function and form. Meanwhile, at The Quail, one of the automotive world’s most exclusive gatherings, a 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1—one of the rarest modern Ferraris ever built—claimed the coveted “Best of Show” award, sparking rumors of a $100 million offer for the car. These parallel stories, though rooted in different domains, highlight a shared obsession with performance, rarity, and design that continues to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari is not just another skeletonized watch from Richard Mille. According to Road & Track, the watch was released on August 21, 2025, and stands as a testament to the deepening partnership between Richard Mille and Ferrari. While the brand’s original RM-001 Tourbillon made waves for its visible mechanics, the RM 43-01 takes things a step further, integrating Ferrari’s signature aesthetics and engineering cues into nearly every facet of its design. The result is a timepiece that does more than tell time—it tells a story of shared values and relentless pursuit of perfection.
Ferrari’s influence on the RM 43-01 is unmistakable. The watch sports the familiar tonneau shape that has become a Richard Mille hallmark, but it’s the details that truly set it apart. Hexagonal socket head screws, reminiscent of those used on Ferrari engine covers, secure the watch’s intricate assembly. Bridges inside the movement are shaped in an X motif, echoing the bracing found in a Ferrari crankcase. Even the pusher buttons are styled after the rounded-rectangle taillights of the SF90, one of Ferrari’s most celebrated modern supercars. The strap features indented offsets that mirror the nose of the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, further cementing the automotive connection. As Road & Track notes, Ferrari’s chief design officer, Flavio Manzoni, played a hands-on role in the watch’s development, ensuring authenticity down to the smallest detail.
Functionality is another area where the RM 43-01 shines. It boasts a sophisticated split-seconds chronograph, a feature prized in motorsport for its ability to time two simultaneous events—think lap splits during a race. The tourbillon cage, which houses the escapement, hairspring, and balance wheel, promises exceptional accuracy, a nod to both brands’ reputations for technical mastery. "True luxury is when the client feels like you took everything to the limit," explained Alexandre Mille, son of Richard and the company’s commercial director, in Road & Track. "We are natural partners with Ferrari because neither of us compromises on anything."
Exclusivity comes at a price—literally. Richard Mille will produce just 150 units of the RM 43-01: 75 with titanium cases priced at $1,300,000, and another 75 in a case crafted from hundreds of compressed plies of carbon fiber, which commands a premium at $1,535,000. The carbon-fiber version, with its charcoal-like appearance, is as much a piece of art as it is a feat of engineering. For collectors, the scarcity of these watches only heightens their allure, ensuring they remain objects of desire for years to come.
While Richard Mille’s latest creation celebrates Ferrari’s design language on the wrist, the automotive world was abuzz with its own tale of rarity and prestige. At The Quail, a 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1—chassis 001, no less—captured the “Best of Show” award, as reported by TheSupercarBlog. This isn’t just any Ferrari; it’s one of only three F50 GT1s ever built, originally intended to compete in the GT1 class against the legendary McLaren F1 GTR. The project, however, was cancelled, and only three chassis were completed out of a planned six, making the F50 GT1 one of the rarest Ferraris in existence.
The car’s specifications are nothing short of breathtaking. It features a carbon fiber monocoque chassis wrapped in carbon bodywork, complete with a roof scoop, a prominent rear wing, a diffuser, a low front splitter, and black Speedline wheels. Under the hood sits a 4.7-liter V12 engine, upgraded to deliver a staggering 750 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 380 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed sequential gearbox, ensuring lightning-fast shifts and a driving experience that few cars—past or present—can match.
The story of this particular F50 GT1 is as compelling as the car itself. Chassis 001 has remained in the care of its first owner, Arthur Zafiropoulo, since new. During the event, rumors swirled that an anonymous enthusiast offered $100 million for the car—a testament to its desirability and status in the collector community. Zafiropoulo, however, reportedly declined the offer, underscoring the deep emotional and historical value attached to such a unique machine. As TheSupercarBlog points out, the F50 GT1’s combination of rarity, provenance, and performance makes it a crown jewel among modern Ferraris.
Both the RM 43-01 and the F50 GT1 are products of obsessive attention to detail, a refusal to compromise, and a passion for pushing boundaries. In their respective worlds—horology and high-performance automobiles—they represent the pinnacle of what’s possible when design and engineering are given free rein. Yet, they also serve as reminders that true luxury is as much about the story and craftsmanship as it is about materials or price tags.
For collectors and enthusiasts, these two unveilings in August 2025 are a celebration of what happens when visionaries collaborate and when the pursuit of excellence is given top billing. Whether on the wrist or on the road, the legacies of Richard Mille and Ferrari continue to be written—one tick, one lap, and one breathtaking moment at a time.
