Richard Mille Unveils Its Latest $350,000 RM 65-01 Chronograph

The Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph has more than 600 components and comes in Quartz TPT, Carbon TPT, 5N red gold and titanium.

Richard Mille.

From its inception two decades ago, Richard Mille swiftly established itself as the epitome of horological innovation. This Swiss luxury watchmaker consistently surpasses expectations, continuously pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in a timepiece in terms of technology and aesthetics. Exemplifying their unwavering commitment to quality and innovation is the RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph, the newest addition to their already eventful year of releases.

The RM 65-01 timepiece from Richard Mille is the culmination of five years of development, showcasing their tireless pursuit of innovation. This highly complex sports watch combines technical excellence with a luxurious aesthetic, now available in a sleek quartz grey colour.

Richard Mille.

The 44mm dial is color-coded, making each section easily distinguishable. The movement within is the most intricate ever created by Richard Mille. Like its predecessor in black carbon, the latest RM 65-01 features an automatic winding split-second movement. The dial showcases a second counter at 6 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock. With a remarkable 60-hour power reserve, the watch is built to be enduring and operate seamlessly, thanks to the Grade 5 titanium bridges and baseplate.

The RM 65-01 from Richard Mille represents the pinnacle of complexity in their watchmaking workshops, taking five years of rigorous development. This sports watch boasts unparalleled technical sophistication, evident from its stunning dial featuring various indications and a sleek case made of beautiful grey Quartz TPT.

The case showcases the innovative use of Quartz TPT, a highly technical material developed by Richard Mille. It is created by fusing thin filaments of quartz under high heat, resulting in a captivating mottled and textured finish. Quartz TPT is used in the bezel, caseband, and case back, as well as within the movement, creating a striking contrast with micro-blasted, polished, and satin-finished grade 5 titanium found on the crown, chronograph buttons and engraved plate on the caseband.

Richard Mille.
Richard Mille.

The dial is an impressive display of features, including a split-second hand for measuring intermediate times, a first for Richard Mille in a watch with an automatic movement. To enhance legibility, each feature on the dial is indicated with a different colour: light blue for hours, minutes, and small seconds; blue for the date display; orange for the sweep seconds hand and totalisers of the chronograph; yellow for the winding mechanism; and purple for the split-seconds hand.

Another first for Richard Mille, the RM 65-01 incorporates a rapid winding mechanism activated by a yellow Quartz TPT pusher at 8 o’clock. With just 125 presses of the pusher, the barrel can be fully wound, presenting a remarkable technical achievement.

Richard Mille.

At the core of this timepiece is a powerful calibre developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, the renowned Swiss movement maker. It offers a 60-hour power reserve through a fast-rotating barrel and ensures precise timekeeping and stopwatch calculations with a high-frequency balance with variable inertia.

The watch is equipped with a new gearbox that allows easy switching between three modes – traditional winding, semi-instantaneous date adjustment, and setting the time – by pressing a function selector in the crown. This masterpiece comprises over 600 components.

Richard Mille.
Richard Mille.

Apart from the grey Quartz TPT version, the RM 65-01 is also available in renditions featuring Carbon TPT, 5N red gold, and titanium, catering to the preferences of connoisseurs seeking the most advanced timepiece from the most advanced watchmaker.

Unsurprisingly, this masterpiece of technical prowess and artistic luxury comes with a price tag of approximately $353,000. However, the value lies in owning a truly exceptional timepiece, unparalleled by any other.