Mixed martial artist Jimi Manuwas spotted wearing a Richard Mille

UFC light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa was spotted wearing a Richard Mille RM 11 'Black Night' flyback chronograph ahead of fight night — a sighting that feels almost too on-brand given the watch's reputation as one of the most technically demanding, physically resilient pieces Richard Mille has produced. The photograph, shared ahead of the bout, captures a fighter known for knockout power paired with a watch that is itself engineered around controlled force.

The RM 11 — in full, the RM 11-01 Roberto Mancini — is among the most complex references in the Richard Mille catalogue. At its core sits a calibre RMAC2, an automatic flyback chronograph movement with annual calendar, dual time zone (GMT), and a large date display, all developed in collaboration with movement specialist Renaud & Papi. The architecture is skeletonised, displayed through a sapphire crystal that reveals the full baseplate and bridge construction machined from grade 5 titanium. Running at 28,800 vph with approximately 55 hours of power reserve, the movement punches well above its weight for a watch this thin and light.

The 'Black Night' variant takes the already striking RM 11 architecture and eliminates every trace of conventional colour. The case is constructed from Carbon TPT — Richard Mille's proprietary material made from layers of carbon filament less than 45 microns thick, laid up at alternating angles and infused with resin under high pressure. The result is a case that weighs almost nothing, resists torsion and impact better than steel, and presents a surface texture that is visually unique to every single watch. The 'Black Night' finishing extends to subdials, crown, and pushers, creating a monolithic dark aesthetic that has made this variant particularly sought after.

Manuwa's affinity for the piece is consistent with the broader adoption of Richard Mille across combat sports — a brand whose engineering philosophy around shock absorption and lightweight construction has genuine resonance for athletes whose wrists endure serious physical stress. The RM 11's 50mm × 42.70mm case wears large and bold, proportions that read confidently on the wrist of a professional fighter.

On the secondary market, the RM 11 'Black Night' commands substantial premiums over already steep retail pricing. UK retail sits at approximately £120,000, with grey-market valuations regularly exceeding that figure depending on condition and provenance. Collector demand for Carbon TPT references across the Richard Mille range has remained resilient, and the 'Black Night' colourway — with its crossover appeal to both sports and fashion audiences — continues to hold its value with little sign of softening.