Produced in collaboration with the Formula 1 constructor, the new timepiece uses a Nobel-prize winning material to offer the ultimate mechanical performance.

Richard Mille is obsessed with weight. Or, to be more precise, the lack thereof. One of their better known ‘weightless’ creations is the RM 027, which has a movement that weighs only 3.35 grams. The watch has been tennis superstar Raphael Nadal’s watch of choice, and the timepiece is so light that the Spaniard can wear it during match play.

Rafael Nadal’s ultra-light Richard Mille RM 027

Another of the brand’s ultra light creations is the new RM 50-03, which is claimed to be the lightest mechanical chronograph ever, and is the result of collaboration with Formula 1 giants McLaren.

This time around, the movement is heavier and weighs a relatively massive 7 grams! The feather weight of the caliber is thanks to skeletonisation and the use of grade 5 Titanium and other space-age materials for the baseplate and bridges.

All in, the watch weighs less than 40 grams. And yes, that does include the weight of the new strap, which has been infused with strong yet ultra light graphene. Technically referred to as: Graph TPT™, graphene is a new material in the world of watchmaking and it can be found throughout this watch.

The material – which actually resulted in a Nobel Prize for its inventor – has also been incorporated into the case of the watch, with the help of scientists at the University of Manchester, McLaren Applied Technologies and North Thin Ply Technology.

With the introduction of graphene, the physical properties of carbon are improved to the point where the it is 6 times lighter than steel, and 200 times stronger. The new material is so impressive, in fact, that McLaren is currently working on integrating graphene into their Grand Prix cars.

And the parallels with Formula 1 don’t end there. The most obvious nod to racing is probably the shape of the crown, which takes its cue from the wheel rims used by the F1 team.

A transverse cage, also crafted of Carbon TPT™ or graphene, is inspired by the wishbone suspension structure of a McLaren-Honda Formula 1 car. It is affixed to the caseband to support the RM50-03 calibre. The movement’s performance can be read via coloured indicators for the 70-hour power reserve and the hollow pushers of the chronograph mimic the air intake ducts on a McLaren-Honda car.

Available only at Richard Mille boutiques, RM 50-03 McLaren F1 will be produced in a numbered limited edition of 75 pieces. Each watch comes in a 1:5 scale model of the 2017 model McLaren-Honda racing car which inspired the watch.