Five years of development with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier is how long it took Richard Mille to produce the RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph. And now, the Swiss watchmaker has a timepiece being touted as it’s most complicated release yet to show for it – over 600 pieces united with every intention to showcase RM’s mastery in the horological arts.
“A highly complex sports timepiece, a masterpiece of technical prowess designed for everyday use and for any situation,” reads the official description.
“Such is the latest execution of Richard Mille’s tireless quest for innovation.”
With a signature Carbon TPT case measuring to 44mm by 49.9mm, the RM 65-01 features pushers at two o’clock (start/stop), four o’clock (reset), eight o’clock (first in-house rapid winding mechanism), and ten o’clock (split-seconds function, AKA rattrapante). In the 3 o’clock position, you’ll find quite a unique titanium crown which can adjust its various settings without having to be pulled out – traditional hand-winding, date adjustment, and time adjustment.
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In order to provide precision and accuracy like no other – down to 1/10th of a second when it comes to stopwatch calculations – the RM 65-01 is powered by a high-frequency balance with variable inertia of 5 Hz or 36,000 vibrations per hour. It has a 60-hour power reserve and is rated for water resistance of up to 50 metres.
“All in all, a fabulous challenge of mechanical watchmaking that called for patience, technicity, and utter perseverance.”
As for aesthetic, what can we say… it’s a Richard Mille watch. This was never going to be understated nor fly-under-the-radar. But there’s clearly a market for that these days.
The RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph in Carbon TPT is now available in Richard Mille boutiques around the world – for US$310,000 (18-karat red-gold Carbon TPT to be produced + pricing to be announced).
