Since 2001, Richard Mille has been making inroads in the future of horology. The man behind the Swiss brand, is French and has an affinity for fast cars. The Formula 1 race-car collector amps up luxury watches by infusing innovation into every timepiece the firm releases. The label is stepping way from its popular in-house movement and counting on leading companies in Switzerland to bring ideas to life. This partnership embraces, armed with superlative skills and abilities, the use of unique materials in watches.
RM011.
Joining the RM 35-01 Rafael Nadal model, one of brand’s most emblematic timepieces, has released several limited edition watches this year that would make great additions to any watch enthusiast’s collection. For a man looking to introduce an unanticipated burst of color into his collection, Orange Storm delivers with an infusion of orange flashes on black matte. The vibrant hue is found throughout the watch, including the flange of the black skeleton dial, Arabic numerals, rubber strap, and on the rubber ring of the crown, making for a highly visible and stunning piece.
The RM 011 Automatic Flyback Chronograph has the same skeletonized movement found in previous RM011 models, with a self-winding caliber and the brand’s adjustable rotor geometry. The use of advanced materials is ever-present. The center case-band is crafted from North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) carbon, a strong, light material used in the fields of aerospace technology and Formula 1 Racing, and sandblasted matte black scratch resistant TZP ceramic can be found on the front and back bezels of the tripartite case. The piece is also practical and comes with a 60-minute countdown times, a 12-hour totalizer and annual calendar, with a power reserve of 55 hours.
RM61-01.
The RM 61-01 Yohan Blake timepiece was created for the Olympic medalist nicknamed “The Beast”, name given during his record-breaking performances on athletic tracks around the world. This tough timepiece takes cues from the RM 59-01 previously conceived for Blake and lives up to its namesake. Anodized and hand painted green flying bridges are woven into the front of the movement, the color chosen as a nod to the athlete’s Jamaican roots. The bezel and back are made from TZP-N, a tough ceramic material known for its low density, which combines extreme resistance to scratches with a very low coefficient of thermal conductivity.
The RM 07-01 Ladies is a contemporary design for a woman in search of both elegance and practicality. Available in white ATZ ceramic and warm brown TZP ceramic, both with a red gold caseband, or versions in full 18K red or white gold, the tonneau-shaped case houses a skeletonized dial with the caliber CRMA2 movement, specially developed for this model. It also features variable inertia balance that provides exacting long-term performance. This movement truly highlights the technical artistry in the RM 07-01. A gemstone set center field, mirroring the shape of the bezel, adds sparkle. A new RM patented crown construction replaces the traditional system and is no longer directly connected to the interior of the movement, making it impossible to break or dislodge.
RM07-01.
In a sphere where inner workings are so essential, Richard Mille succeeds by thinking outside the box. Regardless of aesthetic design, one thing is constant in every timepiece the firm creates: mechanical ingenuity with worldwide appeal. Globally, Richard Mille can be found throughout Asia and Europe. This September, a Richard Mille flagship store opened in London, and this winter, a new boutique is set to open in Miami, joining just two other boutiques in the United States, in Beverly Hills, California, and Las Vegas. ■
