March 28, 2024
Lens Position: 3194

While many brands have ambassadors to represent them, Richard Mille actually works together with them to create watches that are totally adapted to the competitive environment in which they perform. This is also the case with the two new sports versions of the RM 67-01 Extra Thin Automatic, named RM 67-02, as in August they will feature on the wrists of Wayde van Niekerk and Mutaz Essa Barshim during the World Championships in Athletics at the Olympic Stadium in London.

The movement is based on a skeletonised baseplate and bridges made from grade 5 titanium. There’s also the highly complex RM 50-01 ACJ split seconds tourbillon, made in co-operation with Airbus Corporate Jets. This involved a blend of allusions to the materials, shapes, colours and visual aspect of the aircraft, and naturally, most importantly the very high mechanical sophistication of the movement, which echoes that the intricacy of the aircraft’s mechanical layout. The hottest Rafael Nadal watch, the RM 35-02 automatic is offered in two variations of case, in Quartz-TPT Red or at carbon NTPT, it is a entire showstopper! Together with the fabulous RM 67-01 extra flat automatic, we all wanted to create an elegant everyday timepiece, and retained the classic, curved tonneau form but we went to great efforts to keep the movement layout and design components highly detailed, retaining our three dimensional strategy. The above RM 68-01 Cyril Kongo Tourbillon and more coming soon…You see, I almost never sit still for long.What do you think the high-end watch business lacks today and how can you think it could be developed?The tradition behind watchmaking should never be ignored and should be retained and cherished. But that being said, if new materials, concepts and strategies for the future of this watch industry aren’t developed and utilised, I think there’s a possibility that the sector is going to be left behind or side-lined by additional impulses. That’s why almost everyone looking for quite luxurious Swiss timepieces are looking at small and privately owned brands, as well as independents, so as to locate great examples of haute hologerie now.

Lens Position: 3194

Olympic Gold medallist and world-record holder for the 300 and 400 meters, Wayde van Niekerk, will be wearing the RM 67-02 Sprint, while Olympic medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim will sport the RM 67-02 High Jump. Both watches have been created to become like a “second skin” to these athletes. This is not only thanks to the overall height of the watch, which is only 7.8mm, but also thanks to the new, highly elastic, non-slip strap. It brings to the total weight of the RM 67-02 to a mere 32 grams, making it the lightest automatic watch in the collection of Richard Mille (to date we need to add, as the brand likes to surpass itself frequently!).

RM67-02 VN FULLFRONT RGB

Contributing to the low weight and outstanding wearing comfort is also the case which is made out of the composite materials Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT, which are proprietary to Richard Mille. One of the reasons the brand often works with these composite materials is not only their light weight and extreme strength, but also their high shock resistance.

RM67-02 MB THREEQUARTER INVERT RGB

For these two watches, Richard Mille also utilized new colors for the resins. Mutaz Essa Barshim is Qutari, so his watch featured a crimson color. Wayde van Niekerk’s watch shows the colors of his native South Africa.

RM67-02 VN FULLBACK RGB

Inside the case, we find the new in-house CRMA7 caliber, with a rotor made from Carbon TPT and white gold, while the bridges and base plate are made out of DLC-coated grade 5 titanium. All this not only reduces the weight of the watch but also significantly contributes to its robustness.

The two new sports versions of the RM 67-01 Extra Thin Automatic currently available at the official Richard Mille retailers and boutiques and will cost $120.500,-.