Charles Leclerc, the Formula 1 prodigy from Monaco, is renowned for his racing prowess and impeccable style. As a race driver, Leclerc is the epitome of speed, precision, and elegance – qualities that align perfectly with the world of luxury watches. It comes as no surprise, then, that in addition to his role as brand ambassador for luxury watch brand Richard Mille, he is also a passionate watch enthusiast in his private life. Let’s learn more about his collection and take a look at some of his most stunning pieces.
Charles Leclerc and Richard Mille
Leclerc’s association with Richard Mille began in 2018, shortly after his entry into Formula 1. The luxury watch brand, known for their futuristic, intricate, and resilient timepieces, saw in Leclerc a reflection of their own brand ethos. Both Leclerc and Richard Mille embody a relentless pursuit of perfection, blending tradition with innovation. The collaboration was thus a natural fit, bringing together a young, ambitious racer and a brand that consistently pushes the boundaries of horological craftsmanship.
The watches’ designs often incorporate elements that resonate with Leclerc’s career. For instance, the use of lightweight materials in the RM 67-02 parallels the necessity for weight reduction in F1 cars to enhance speed and maneuverability. The shock resistance and durability of these watches gesture to the rigorous demands of racing, where reliability under pressure is paramount.
However, Richard Mille is not the only highly exclusive watch brand to have made it onto the racing driver’s wrist.
Charles Leclerc’s Watch Collection
RM 67-02 Charles Leclerc Edition
This ultra-lightweight automatic watch is designed specifically for the rigors of high-performance sports. Weighing just 32 grams, it features a robust yet elegant construction. The RM 67-02, with its red and white color scheme, pays homage to Leclerc’s Monégasque heritage and his racing team, Ferrari. The tonneau-shaped case is crafted from TPT (Thin Ply Technology) composite materials, known for their durability and resilience under extreme conditions – much like the conditions Leclerc faces on the track.
Richard Mille UP-01 Ferrari:
With a breathtaking thickness of only 1.75 mm, the Richard Mille UP-01 Ferrari is one of the lightest and slimmest wristwatches ever made, a testament to Richard Mille’s engineering prowess. Its creation involved collaboration with the Ferrari Formula 1 team, underscoring the shared ideas, values, and technological advancements of both brands. At 2.82 grams, the RMUP-01 movement is a real lightweight and has a power reserve of 45 hours. Nevertheless, according to Richard Mille, it can withstand accelerations of up to 5,000 g’s without damage. For Leclerc, wearing such a watch is a nod to the cutting-edge innovation that defines his sport.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time 5990/1R
With the Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time, Charles Leclerc remains true to his line of functional and fancy sports models. However, this flyback chronograph with a second time zone and date display is much more elegant than the aforementioned Richard Mille models, thanks to the rose gold material. The look is further enhanced by the dark blue sunburst dial with horizontal relief embossing, as seen on classic Nautilus models. The case measures 40.5 mm in diameter and houses the caliber CH 28-520 C FUS with a power reserve of 45–55 hours – all in all, a sporty companion with a wow effect.
Hublot Big Bang MECA-10 Black Magic
Here, too, we’re dealing with a functional, sporty watch that impresses with both its external and internal values. The Hublot Big Bang MECA-10 Black Magic owes its name firstly to the high-tech ceramic case material, which is responsible for its black coloring and extremely scratch resistant and durable. The “10” stands for the movement’s tremendous power reserve: the in-house caliber HUB1201 has a running time of up to 10 days, making it a real bundle of energy.
