What the RM UP-01 Ferrari is trying to prove
Richard Mille built its reputation on tonneau cases, architectural movements and materials borrowed from motorsport. Ultra-thin watchmaking was never the obvious next step.
The RM UP-01 exists to show the brand can do “thin” on its own terms. The case is only 1.75 mm thick, according to Richard Mille’s own technical notes. Source: Richard Mille, RM UP-01 Ferrari.
At launch it took the “world’s thinnest” headline. By 2026, that record has moved on. Bulgari claims 1.70 mm for the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC. Source: Bvlgari, Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC ref. 104081.
Case design: not a tonneau, not a dress watch
The first surprise is the shape. It’s not a classic Richard Mille tonneau. It looks closer to a technical plate with straps attached.
Richard Mille states the entire case is machined from Grade 5 titanium. The construction is monobloc for the caseband and caseback. Water resistance is given as 1 atm, which is 10 metres.
The dimensions matter as much as the thickness. Fondation Haute Horlogerie lists 51.00 x 39.00 mm. That footprint wears wide even on a larger wrist. Source: Fondation Haute Horlogerie, RM UP-01 Ferrari.
Two crowns, one selector
The control system is part of the story. A selector in the bezel chooses winding or hand-setting. A second crown then performs the chosen task.
This is clever. It also hints at the compromises required when there’s no vertical space for conventional keyless works.
Movement: calibre RMUP-01 in plain numbers
The movement is manual winding. The calibre name is RMUP-01. Richard Mille lists movement thickness at 1.18 mm.
Power reserve is stated as around 45 hours with a ±10% tolerance. Frequency is 28,800 vph, which is 4 Hz. Jewels are listed as 23.
Shock resistance claims are unusually direct
Richard Mille states the calibre can withstand accelerations of over 5,000 g’s. Fondation Haute Horlogerie repeats the 5,000 g figure in its summary.
Take the claim as engineering intent, not a licence to treat it like a sports watch. The case is still 1.75 mm thin. One bad knock has nowhere to go.
The escapement is the real trick
Richard Mille describes a patented ultra-flat escapement developed with engineers from Audemars Piguet Le Locle. The goal was to reduce height without losing security in shock.
This matters more than headline thickness. It’s the bit that suggests the watch was engineered as a functioning object, not a static record attempt.
Wearability: thin does not always mean easy
On paper it looks like the perfect answer to “Richard Mille is too chunky”. In reality it swaps thickness for width. The watch sits like a very slim bracket across the wrist.
It’ll slide under a cuff. It can also feel unfamiliar if you expect the usual curved tonneau hug of an RM 011 or RM 030.
The stated 10 metre water resistance is fine for incidental moisture. It’s not a swimming watch. It’s also not the model for someone who hates thinking about door frames.
Materials and finishing: titanium done the hard way
Grade 5 titanium is not unusual at this end of the market. The difficulty here is tolerances. Richard Mille says components were machined to a tolerance of a single micron due to the low profile.
Finishing is deliberately industrial. There’s satin brushing with polished bevels. The aesthetic is closer to racing hardware than Genevan romance.
Exclusivity in 2026: what buyers should know
This is a limited edition of 150 pieces. That figure is stated by Richard Mille. Fondation Haute Horlogerie lists the same limitation.
It also matters that the watch is tied to the Ferrari partnership. Richard Mille places that partnership start in 2021.
For pre-owned buyers, completeness is not optional. Box and papers matter more than usual on niche references. Service history matters even more.
If you want help with servicing on a complicated modern piece, start with Service & Repairs. If you’re selling a Richard Mille, use Sell Richard Mille.
If the ultra-flat RM is too extreme
The UP-01 is a headline watch. Many collectors end up preferring a more typical Richard Mille shape for regular wear.
If you want the brand’s skeletonised look with a more familiar footprint, these are the sort of pieces worth comparing:
They are not “thin” in the UP-01 sense. They do deliver what most people mean when they say they want a Richard Mille on the wrist.
Verdict
The UP-01 is a technical flex that happens to tell the time. It’s also one of the rare modern Richard Mille pieces that looks genuinely different from across a room.
- Pros: true ultra-flat engineering, credible published specifications, historically important as the first Ferrari partnership watch.
- Cons: very wide wear, limited water resistance, practicality depends on lifestyle more than most buyers admit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the “Richard Mille Slim” an official model name?
No. The term is informal. It’s usually used to describe the ultra-flat RM UP-01 Ferrari from 2022.
How thin is the RM UP-01 Ferrari?
Richard Mille states the case is 1.75 mm thick. The movement is listed at 1.18 mm thick on the brand’s technical page.
Is it still the world’s thinnest mechanical watch in 2026?
No. Bulgari now claims the record at 1.70 mm for the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC on its official product listing.
How many RM UP-01 Ferrari watches were made?
Richard Mille states it’s a limited edition of 150 pieces. Fondation Haute Horlogerie lists the same edition size.
Is the RM UP-01 Ferrari suitable for daily wear?
Richard Mille positions it as a watch for daily life. The specifications still suggest caution due to its width, thinness and 10 metre water resistance.