Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Karim Benzema spotted wearing Richard Mille

Karim Benzema, the Ballon d'Or-winning striker who spent the better part of two decades at Real Madrid before joining Al-Ittihad, was recently spotted with a titanium Richard Mille RM11-03 on his wrist — a watch that sits comfortably at the intersection of elite sport and high horology, and one that requires no introduction in footballers' dressing rooms across Europe.

The Richard Mille RM11-03 is built around the proprietary RMAC3 calibre, a skeletonized automatic flyback chronograph movement with a GMT complication and annual calendar. The movement delivers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours and beats at 28,800 vph. The tonneau-shaped case, measuring 50mm × 40mm, is crafted from grade-5 titanium — the same alloy used in aerospace and Formula 1 components — keeping the total weight to a remarkable minimum despite the mechanical complexity inside. The sapphire crystal front and caseback expose the full architecture of the movement, including the characteristic red and black color accents that have become instantly recognizable on the Richard Mille RM11-03.

Developed in collaboration with McLaren Automotive, the RM11-03 replaced the earlier RM11-02 and introduced refined ergonomics and an upgraded movement architecture. The McLaren partnership was a natural fit: both brands prize weight reduction, aerodynamic thinking, and performance engineering above all else. The RM11-03 is not a dress watch — it is a machine designed to be worn hard, which is precisely what makes it compelling to athletes.

Benzema has long been associated with high-end watches, and the RM11-03 is a recurring fixture on his wrist. Richard Mille has cultivated deep ties with elite football through ambassadors and organic celebrity adoption, and Benzema's affinity for the brand reflects both the watches' sporting credentials and their unmistakable visual presence — important currency for a player of his global profile.

At UK list price of approximately £112,000 — translating to roughly $140,000 USD at current rates — the titanium Richard Mille RM11-03 is not an entry-level proposition. On the grey market, strong demand from sports figures and collectors keeps values elevated, often at or above retail, underscoring Richard Mille's unusual ability to hold price in secondary trading.