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Curations: Richard Mille’s RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne takes flight, built with materials used in the aeronautics industry

STORYMorning Studio editors
Richard Mille’s new RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne has a 5N red gold case with an exoskeleton made of black Carbon TPT. Photo: Richard Mille
Richard Mille’s new RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne has a 5N red gold case with an exoskeleton made of black Carbon TPT. Photo: Richard Mille
Curations

  • The limited edition model includes the brand’s first use of Haynes 214, a highly heat-resistant alloy, paired with the hi-tech composite Carbon TPT
  • Inside the 5N red gold case is an in-house, manual-winding calibre that features a function selector as well as power reserve and torque indicators

A Richard Mille watch is typically defined by cutting-edge materials and distinctive architecture. The latest example of the brand’s horological prowess is the RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne, a statement-making model that does more than just tell the time.

Influenced by aeronautics, this limited edition timepiece is constructed with engineering-grade materials and powered by an innovative in-house movement to deliver precision, reliability, lightness and extreme durability.

The RM 21-01 features a new case design made of 5N red gold. The tripartite structure is reinforced by an exoskeleton in contrasting black Carbon TPT, a hi-tech material used for many Richard Mille watches.
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The RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne features the watchmaker’s first use of Haynes 214, a highly heat-resistant alloy that’s presented in a honeycomb structure on the baseplate. Photo: Richard Mille
The RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne features the watchmaker’s first use of Haynes 214, a highly heat-resistant alloy that’s presented in a honeycomb structure on the baseplate. Photo: Richard Mille

Carbon TPT, or thin-ply technology, is a super-light yet tough composite that consists of 600 layers of carbon fibres, each measuring no more than 30 microns thick. The layers are stacked via a machine process, then heated in an autoclave similar to ones used to produce aeronautics parts.

The resulting material is then machined to form the bezels and pillars, providing armour-like protection for the case as well as random damascene patterns that make each RM 21-01 timepiece unique. The case components are assembled with 20 spline screws in Grade 5 titanium, along with two nitrile O-ring seals that ensure the watch is water-resistant up to 50 metres.

The construction of the RM 21-01 also includes a baseplate made of Haynes 214, an alloy composed of nickel, chromium, aluminium and iron. This material can withstand temperatures of 955 degrees Celsius, and is also highly resistant to oxidation.

Richard Mille is using Haynes 214 for the first time in a watch model, presenting it in a honeycomb structure coated with a PVD treatment in royal blue. Combined with a Carbon TPT core, this eye-catching baseplate assembly gives the timepiece exceptional rigidity and torsion resistance while also adding a pop of colour to the dial.

The timepiece is powered by the in-house Calibre RM21-01, a manual-winding tourbillon that can be observed through both the front and back of the case. Photo: Richard Mille
The timepiece is powered by the in-house Calibre RM21-01, a manual-winding tourbillon that can be observed through both the front and back of the case. Photo: Richard Mille

Set on the baseplate is the watchmaker’s own Calibre RM21-01, a manual-winding tourbillon movement with a power reserve of around 70 hours. It is framed by bridges made of Grade 5 titanium, a strong and corrosion-resistant alloy that is commonly used in the aeronautics and automotive industries.