LeBron James has never been one to do things halfway. On the court, his presence is generational. Off the court, his influence stretches from fashion to film to philanthropy – and now, yet again, to fine watchmaking. In an unprecedented collaboration, James has teamed up with Richard Mille to launch a limited-edition version of the RM 65-01, marking the brand’s first official partnership with an NBA player. Just 150 pieces have been produced, and with demand already astronomical, most will likely never make it to retail shelves.
The RM 65-01 “LeBron James” is a vibrant, hyper-engineered wristwatch that blends technical complexity with deep personal symbolism. It features Richard Mille’s RMAC4 movement – a skeletonized automatic caliber equipped with a split-seconds chronograph, hours, minutes, running seconds, a vertical date display, a rapid-winding mechanism, and a variable-geometry rotor. This movement alone would place the watch among the most complex chronographs in Richard Mille’s catalog. While the newer RM 43-01 Ferrari might outmuscle it in some specs, the RM 65-01 remains a flagship of technical prowess and aesthetic ambition.
The case is made of Carbon TPT – a lightweight, layered carbon composite that has become a Richard Mille signature – and measures 44.5mm across, nearly 50mm lug-to-lug, and 16.1mm thick. A yellow Quartz TPT midcase acts as the visual backbone of the design, complemented by a vivid mix of colors that tell LeBron’s story. Yellow and purple nod unmistakably to his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Green elements – including the date window, hour markers, parts of the pushers, and the outline of his logo at 12 o’clock – appear to reference his high school alma mater, St. Vincent–St. Mary in Akron, Ohio. His signature in purple is printed across the caseback crystal, partially obscuring the movement underneath. The watch is completed with a black rubber-textile strap that emphasizes performance and comfort.
This is not James’ first foray into watch design. In 2013, he collaborated with Audemars Piguet to release a gold Royal Oak Offshore limited to 600 pieces. That watch was far more conservative in design – a stately luxury sports watch with an understated elegance. The RM 65-01, by contrast, is a maximalist expression of identity and allegiance. There’s nothing subtle about it, and that’s the point. It’s not trying to blend in. It’s built to be a conversation piece, an artwork in motion, and a deeply personal statement from one of basketball’s most decorated figures.
What sets this release apart isn’t just the brand synergy – Richard Mille has long been associated with elite athletes across motorsport, tennis, and track and field – but the personal imprint LeBron brings to the design. This isn’t a rebrand of an existing model with a few color tweaks and a signature slapped on the case. It’s a true expression of the man behind the name. It’s the kind of collaboration where the athlete’s influence is genuinely felt, not just marketed.
LeBron’s appreciation for watchmaking is no secret. His collection includes high complications from Patek Philippe, ultra-rare Tiffany-stamped Nautiluses, and a deep stable of Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks. Richard Mille pieces have been seen on his wrist many times in the past, but this marks his first official collaboration with the brand. Given the historic ties between APRP (Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi) and Richard Mille’s technical development, the progression makes sense. It’s a full-circle moment that shows LeBron’s deeper understanding of the horological world and the partnerships within it.
From a collector’s standpoint, the RM 65-01 LeBron James is already one of the most desirable releases of the year. With just 150 pieces produced, and an asking price north of $400,000, it’s destined to land in vaults, safes, and the occasional Instagram wrist shot from athletes, musicians, and moguls. But it’s not just hype or exclusivity that makes this piece significant. It’s what it represents – the merging of two empires built on precision, performance, and personality.
Ultimately, this watch is more than a timepiece. It’s a portrait in materials, color, and mechanics. It captures not just LeBron’s career highlights, but the mindset that got him there – bold, intentional, unafraid to push boundaries. And like LeBron himself, it’s built to last far beyond the buzzer. Also be sure to check oour list of the most expensive watches.
