In 2013, Richard Mille introduced its first watch dedicated to football, in collaboration with renowned Italian footballer and coach Roberto Mancini.
The RM 11-01 model was the first in the Richard Mille football watch line, combining a central chronograph with a dial specifically designed to track match time. In 2019, the concept evolved into the RM 11-04 model. However, over the past five years, the Swiss brand has been working on creating ultra-complex watches entirely dedicated to the world's most popular sport, and recently, the Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer was introduced - the brand's first major novelty for 2026, which is also the year of the Football World Cup.
Technical Features and Case Design
Unlike previous football models that only tracked the time parameters of a match, the new Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer takes this concept to a new level. The watch allows not only to record match time and its various periods (including extra time) but also to keep track of the goals scored by both teams. The mechanism includes a tourbillon - a hallmark of high watchmaking and uncompromising design.
The case consists of 105 components and features Richard Mille's signature tonneau shape. The case dimensions are 43.23 mm in diameter and 49.65 mm in length, with an overall thickness of 16.08 mm. Despite its substantial thickness on paper, the curved profile of the case ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist, and sapphire crystals on both sides perfectly follow the smooth contours of the case. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters. The sides of the case feature four buttons and a crown with a torque limiter to prevent accidental overwinding of the mechanism. As with all Richard Mille watches, the case is constructed using a sandwich structure, with one of the two color versions using a new case material - Red Carmin Basalt TPT.
Case Materials: Innovations in Carbon TPT and Red Carmin Basalt TPT
The Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer is available in two color versions. Both versions have a middle case section made of Carbon TPT, but the top and bottom parts are made of different materials. The first version uses Quartz TPT - a material that debuted in 2015 on the RM 27-02 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal and is known for its vibrant colors. For the RM 41-01, a Dark Blue Quartz TPT - a dark blue quartz composite - was chosen.
The second version of the case uses the innovative Red Carmin Basalt TPT material, based on similar technologies but with fibers made from volcanic basalt rock.
Red Carmin Basalt TPT is a composite made of layers of fibers laid at a 45-degree angle for increased strength. Unlike Carbon TPT with carbon fibers 30 microns thick and Quartz TPT with silicon fibers 45 microns thick, Basalt TPT contains basalt fibers 40 microns thick, forming an asymmetrical structure with a woodgrain pattern that emerges after material processing. Technically, Basalt TPT is similar to Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT but thanks to the basalt fibers, the material has a more pronounced pattern and saturated color, in this case, a deep "Red Carmin" shade.
Control Design and Attention to Detail
As a subtle nod to football, the Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer crown is coated with rubber featuring a hexagonal pattern reminiscent of a football's structure.
The titanium tip of the crown is also styled with this motif. Four micro-bead-blasted buttons made of grade 5 titanium are framed in 5N gold and adorned with polished bevels and inserts of Carbon TPT or Basalt TPT, depending on the case version. To ensure uniform tactile feedback from the buttons, a patented mechanism with a double column wheel is used, where the second wheel is responsible for resetting the chronograph functions with a flyback feature.
Movement: Complex Caliber with Unique Features
The in-house caliber Richard Mille RM 41-01 consists of 650 components and has 51 jewels. The manually wound movement is mounted on skeletonized bridges made of grade 5 titanium. Its operating frequency is 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 Hz), with a power reserve of about 70 hours.
The movement includes a central flyback chronograph, a tourbillon with a seconds hand, a power reserve indicator, and new complications unique to Richard Mille: an indicator of the current match period (first half, second half, extra time 1 and 2), two goal counters for teams, and a crown mode indicator.
Function Management and Indication
Unlike some Richard Mille models with separate buttons for switching crown modes, the RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer uses a classic scheme: the crown is pulled out to select modes - neutral (N), winding (W), and time setting (H). When pressed, the crown is in neutral mode, preventing overwinding. The mode indicator is located at the "4 o'clock" position and is made of three titanium plates moving on a lacquered background, showing the current mode.
Despite the complex functionality, the watch is intuitively easy to operate. To increase the goal counters, two buttons on the right are provided: the button at the "2 o'clock" position is responsible for the "home" team's score (upper left corner of the dial), and the button at the "4 o'clock" position - for the "guest" score (lower right corner). The other corners of the dial are occupied by the power reserve indicator and the tourbillon. At the "9 o'clock" position is the match period indicator, displaying two standard halves and two possible extra periods.
Special Features of Football Match Time Tracking
A standard football match consists of two halves of 45 minutes each. Unlike most sports, football clocks do not stop during breaks in play - when the ball goes out of bounds or a player is substituted, time continues. Time lost during the half is compensated by adding extra time ("stoppage time"). If a draw is not possible after regular time, two extra periods of 15 minutes each are assigned, and if equality remains, a penalty shootout follows.
Due to the continuous passage of time, tracking a match becomes more complicated. Therefore, referees often wear two different chronometers - one for regular time, the other for extra time. To solve this problem, the outer ring of the RM 41-01 dial features a scale with 45 and 15-minute marks, and at the end of each segment, zones for extra time are highlighted. The match period indicator is synchronized with the flyback mechanism and automatically switches to the next period when the chronograph is reset.
Straps and Aesthetics of the Models
The Dark Blue Quartz TPT version comes with a white rubber strap, while the Red Carmin Basalt TPT model features a gray strap. It is expected that buyers will be able to order other compatible straps through Richard Mille boutiques. The choice of subdued, more organic blue and red shades instead of the bright tones characteristic of other brand models allows the watches to be versatile and not associated with any particular team, providing greater aesthetic flexibility.
Conclusion: Uniqueness and Market Positioning
The Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer mechanism can track all key parameters of a football match; however, this model is not intended for professional use by referees, unlike, for example, the Hublot World Cup smartwatches used at FIFA championships. Even the wealthiest football leagues would not outfit referees with tourbillons with flyback chronographs. The RM 41-01 is more of an exclusive accessory for affluent football fans and world football stars who want to emphasize their passion for the sport with a piece of high art watchmaking.
Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer is one of the brand's most technologically complex watches, and it's pleasing to see that the Swiss brand has paid so much attention to a sports theme dedicated to the world's most inclusive sport. However, despite football's accessibility to millions of people, the price of the RM 41-01 is $1,940,000 USD for each of the two versions, limited to 30 pieces. This is more than four times the cost of the average house in the U.S., highlighting the watch's status. If I were a championship coach or a Premier League star, I would have no doubt - such a watch should be on my wrist.