Racing driver Lewis Hamilton spotted wearing a Richard Mille

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1 world champion and Scuderia Ferrari driver, attended the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art's opening night gala wearing the Richard Mille RM 17-01 Tourbillon in snow-set 18k pink gold (ref. RM17-01 RG). The timepiece's diamond-encrusted bezel and lugs caught light throughout the evening, a departure from Richard Mille's traditional technical material palette and a signal of the manufacture's expanded approach to haute joaillerie.

The RM 17-01, first introduced in 2019, houses Richard Mille's proprietary hand-wound skeletonized tourbillon calibre. The tonneau-shaped case measures approximately 40 mm × 49.95 mm and features a sapphire caseback exposing the entire movement architecture. The 2024 snow-set variant replaces conventional bezel designs with a meticulous diamond-setting technique: stones of varying carat weights are positioned side-by-side and secured individually by micro-prongs, creating a seemingly random yet mathematically precise "snowfield" effect across the case perimeter. Water resistance stands at 50 meters, sufficient for daily wear despite the haute joaillerie focus. The black skeletonized dial displays applied numerals and Richard Mille's signature manual-wind rotor, visible through the crystal and caseback.

The RM 17-01 occupies a unique position in Richard Mille's catalog as the brand's quintessential handwound skeletonized tourbillon—a more accessible entry point than its higher-complication siblings. The snow-set iteration, launched in 2024, represents Richard Mille's first significant pivot toward traditional jewelry-making aesthetics, available in both white and red gold variants. Pre-owned examples of standard RM 17-01 references trade between $180,000 and $250,000 USD; snow-set variants command substantial premiums reflecting the bespoke setting labor and precious metal weights.

Hamilton's choice reflects his established affinity for Richard Mille timepieces—the Ferrari driver has worn multiple references from the manufacture at high-profile events. The pairing of the snow-set RM 17-01 with black-tie attire underscores Richard Mille's successful repositioning from motorsport-technical brand to haute joaillerie manufacturer, a transition accelerated by partnerships with luxury conglomerates and celebrity collectors. The watch's visibility at the Lucas Museum event reinforces the brand's cultural messaging: engineering excellence married to fine art.