Breaking News: In a surprise reveal during an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York and on Instagram, NBA superstar LeBron James debuted his first collaboration with one of the titans in the Swiss watchmaking realm, Richard Mille. The result is a highly exclusive, Los Angeles Lakers-themed watch that merges Richard Mille's stunning openwork design with the personality of “King James” himself. Limited to just 150 pieces worldwide, this limited-edition model is already generating buzz among collectors for its bold design and ultra-rare status.
In this article, we’ll break down everything we know about LeBron’s new Richard Mille, from its model number and materials to the Lakers-inspired colors, MSRP, and expected secondary market value. We’ll also explore how this collaboration fits into Richard Mille’s tradition of partnering with elite athletes (like Rafael Nadal, Bubba Watson, and Felipe Massa) and recall LeBron’s previous collaborations in the luxury watch space. Let’s dive into why this watch is making waves in both the sports and watch communities.
The LeBron James Design
The new Richard Mille RM 65-01 “LeBron James” is a self-winding split-seconds chronograph built to embody both LeBron’s style and Richard Mille’s signature design language. James was deeply involved in the design process, ensuring the piece reflects his persona and lifestyle.
LeBron debuting his limited edition Richard Mille at Fanatics Fest 2025
Case and Materials
The RM 65-01 features a two-tone case made of Black Carbon TPT (a high-tech layered carbon composite) with a Yellow Quartz TPT midcase. These ultra-light, high-performance materials are exceptionally durable and give the watch a distinctive marbled texture. The carbon and yellow composite structure is finished with a matte, textured surface that gives the piece an athletic aura.
Dial and Colors
The skeleton dial bursts with color. At the 12 o’clock, LeBron’s personal logo appears in bright green with a yellow outline. Additional green accents appear on the date and hour markers. A purple minute ring encircles the dial, and purple and yellow chronograph sub-dials enhance the Lakers tribute. Splashes of teal and orange round out the dial.
Strap and Crown
Paired with either an elegant black rubber textile strap or a bold bright yellow strap, the watch offers versatility while ensuring both visual impact and comfort. The multi-color crown features yellow and green accents which serve as a vibrant visual anchor for the watch's theme. These green accents are a clear nod to LeBron James' high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary, whose iconic colors are green and gold.
Signature and Caseback
The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the intricate movement while displaying LeBron James’s signature in purple. The words “Limited Edition” are also engraved, and James himself was seen wearing the first piece, marked 001/150, at the launch event.
Price, Rarity, and Market Prediction
As expected, this highly engineered and celebrity-backed timepiece commands a high price. The LeBron James RM 65-01 carries an official retail price of $405,040. With only 150 pieces produced, each individually numbered, demand has skyrocketed.
What does such rarity mean for the watch’s market value? Simply put, expect it to soar. Even at ~$400K retail, demand far outstrips supply, and history shows that limited-edition Richard Mille pieces tied to famous names often appreciate immediately on the secondary market. In other words, this watch could easily be trading in the mid-six or even seven figures should one be sold in a private sale or auction, especially as it’s not just a timekeeper but a crossover cultural artifact that appeals to both high-end watch enthusiasts and NBA fans.
Not LeBron’s First Watch Collaboration (or His Last?)
Although this marks LeBron’s first collaboration with Richard Mille, it is not his first luxury watch design. In 2013, he partnered with Audemars Piguet to release a limited edition Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph. That AP LeBron James edition, limited to 600 pieces, featured a blend of rose gold and titanium and is still highly sought after by collectors today.
LeBron has long been recognized as a serious watch enthusiast. Over the years, he’s been seen wearing everything from rare Patek Philippe models to exclusive Rolex, Cartier, and multiple Richard Mille references even before this collaboration. His move from AP to RM is seen by many as a natural evolution, considering both brands’ commitment to innovation and bold design.
Given LeBron’s entrepreneurial drive and cultural influence, this may not be the last time we see his name on a high-end timepiece. If this release is any indication, we wouldn’t be shocked to see future editions or other creative projects between LeBron and luxury watch brands as he continues to expand his brand empire.
Richard Mille’s Collaborations with Elite Athletes
LeBron James now joins a long list of elite athletes who have partnered with Richard Mille. The brand has a storied history of collaborating with world-class sports figures to create timepieces that are not only luxurious but also engineered to withstand professional competition.
Rafael Nadal – Tennis
Perhaps the most iconic of Richard Mille’s athlete collaborations, Rafael Nadal has co-developed several tourbillon models, beginning with the RM 027 a decade ago. Richard Mille developed some of the lightest mechanical watches in the world for Nadal, so light (under 20 grams) he was able to wear them during matches.
Bubba Watson – Golf
American golfer Bubba Watson’s partnership led to watches like the RM 38, designed to endure the shock of a powerful golf swing. Featuring white cases and pink accents, these models are among the most colorful and performance-driven in the RM lineup, and like Nadal, Bubba actually wore his Richard Mille on the golf course in competition.
Felipe Massa – Formula 1
Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa was one of Richard Mille’s earliest ambassadors. Massa wore Richard Mille prototypes while racing as far back as 2004, helping to test their durability under extreme conditions. Resulting in special eddition models like the RM 006 and RM 011. The partnership with Massa proved that RM watches could thrive in a high-speed, high-vibration environment. Setting the stage for future racing collaborations.
Final Thoughts
The LeBron James RM 65-01 is more than just a wristwatch, it's a symbol of greatness, ambition, and collaboration between two giants in their respective fields. With a design that captures LeBron’s journey and a build that showcases Richard Mille’s engineering prowess, this limited-edition watch is a cultural milestone.
While few will ever own one of the 150 pieces, the buzz surrounding this release has already made waves in both the watch and sports worlds. It represents a growing intersection of luxury watchmaking and elite sports, and serves as a reminder that in the world of modern watchmaking, storytelling and status are just as important as aesthetics.
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