Style Edit: How Richard Mille is redefining luxury watchmaking with new and limited editions of the RM 65-01 and RM 21-02

Aug 16 , 2024

The Richard RM 65-01 range was launched in 2020

New offerings showcase the watchmaker’s exquisite attention to construction, including a 120-piece limited run of the dark yellow RM 65-01

Dedication to complexity has always been at the heart of what Richard Mille does. The manufacturer has consistently pushed Swiss luxury watchmaking into bold, innovative new places more than any other, and constantly explored the boundaries of horological orthodoxy, and then smashed straight through them with timepieces that rewrite the rule books.

Such is resoundingly the case once again with the watchmaker’s latest creations. There are two new versions of the RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph, and two versions of the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne.

One of the new versions of the Richard Mille RM 65-01 comes in pastel blue

The two new RM 65-01 editions come in the brand’s very own Quartz TPT material: one of them, in pastel blue, becomes a permanent part of the collection, while the other, in dark yellow, is available in a limited edition of 120.

Quartz TPT is made from tiny multiple filaments of quartz, fused together under incredibly high temperatures until they form a material that combines incredible toughness with a highly attractive, wood grain-like appearance. The new watches join an existing version of the RM 65-01 in grey Quartz TPT, as well as others in red gold and Carbon TPT, titanium and Carbon TPT.

An earlier version of the Richard Mille RM 65-01 in grey and multi-hued dial and crown

Launched in 2020, the RM 65-01 has a chronograph function capable of timing for up to 12 hours. Made from more than 600 components, it’s powered by the legendary calibre RMAC4, which translates to a whole lot of fun on the openworked dial.

The RM 65-01 is covered with indications, including a split-seconds hand, a small seconds hand, and 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers. Handily, each of these features is colour coordinated, making for a riot of hues on the dial and pushers. As an alternative to the winding crown, there’s even a pusher at 8 o’clock that quickly winds the mainspring when it’s pushed just 125 times.

The Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph

The two iterations of the RM 21-02 also come with an iconic calibre at their heart, one bearing the same name as the watch. It powers the manual winding tourbillon that dominates the skeletonised dial.