The Starting Point: Felipe Massa and the Concept of the “Test Driver”
Brazilian racing driver Felipe Massa is key to understanding Richard Mille’s entire philosophy on collaboration. In 2004, the then-rising Formula 1 star became the brand’s first long-term sports partner.

At the 2025 launch of the RM 43-01 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Ferrari edition in Paris, the former F1 driver shared the remarkable story of his partnership with Richard Mille—a journey that dates back to 2004, when Massa and his manager, Nicolas Todt, were in search of a watch sponsor. While flipping through a magazine, Todt stumbled upon an advertisement for Richard Mille that included a phone number. He immediately picked up the phone; to his surprise, the call went straight through to Richard Mille himself. The brand’s founder was instantly intrigued—he was looking to establish a foothold in Formula 1, and Massa was the ideal partner. <p>moon watch replica</p>

However, things were not entirely straightforward. At the time, Richard Mille was investing heavily in research and development, leaving him without the funds for a traditional sponsorship fee. Instead, he offered the racing driver an exceptionally lightweight tourbillon timepiece—the RM 006—to be worn during competition. Massa accepted the gift.

What began with a single phone call and one watch evolved into one of Richard Mille’s most influential partnerships, ultimately defining the brand’s philosophy toward sports sponsorship. The watch was not merely an advertising platform; it was intended to be worn in a genuine competitive environment, enduring the vibrations, accelerations, and impacts inherent to Formula 1 racing. At the launch of the RM 43-01, Massa underscored the significance of this partnership, noting that he had worn a Richard Mille watch in every race he had entered since the collaboration began.