Let’s cut to the chase: Tom Brady has one of the most impressive watch collections in the world. Rolex, Patek, IWC, the works. (Heck, you may even be tired of hearing us talk about it.) Alongside John Mayer, his array of impressive pieces is second to none. But his Richard Mille pieces are something else, man. Have you seen this latest one?
Brady was spotted at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament rocking an RM 11-04—a.k.a. the Automatic Winding Flyback Chronograph Roberto Mancini. Retailing for $189,500 upon its debut back in 2019, this black-and-blue banger was designed in concert with Roberto Mancinci, then head coach of Squadra Azzurra, now head coach of the Saudi national team.
Even by RM’s notoriously hi-tech standards, this is no “typical” luxury timepiece: A quick glance at the dial reveals a host of unusual features that allow it to track half-time, extra time, and overtime in a soccer match. (Football—“soccer” to we Americans—is played in two 45-minute halves, with a 15-minute break in between and extra time added at the referee’s discretion.) An in-house movement with 68 jewels and an 18-karat white gold winding rotor powers the watch, offering flyback chronograph capability as well as an annual calendar.
Crafting such a caliber is no small feat—R&D can take years on a more run-of-the-mill complication, but the RM 11-04 is unique, and the brand takes its movement technology seriously. To that end, this one boasts a Grade 5 titanium baseplate and bridges; variable-geometry rotor; a Glucydur balance; dual barrels for increased stability; and skeletonized construction. The bottom line? A space shuttle’s worth of tech has gone into making this watch function.
Beyond its wildly idiosyncratic movement and fascinating dial, the RM 11-04 has many of the features that make RM stand out in a crowded marketplace: a high-tech, tonneau-shaped case fashioned from shock-resistant Carbon TPT; an attention-grabbing color scheme, executed here in the form of the Italian red, white, and green Tricolore; and a rubber strap to make everyday wear a comfortable proposition.
It remains to be seen if Brady can convince RM to make him an American football watch—but it’s already thrilling enough to see him step out wearing this ultra-rare, sports-themed grail.
