The Richard Mille RM 65-01 has the distinct honor of being the most complicated regular production automatic in Richard Mille’s exceedingly complicated catalogue. First launched in 2020, and with 600 components, this latest evolution in Richard Mille’s complicated split-second chronograph offering has proved to be a popular one. Recently the reference was updated with two new colorways, the pastel blue will be a regular addition to the catalogue, while the deep yellow is limited to 120 pieces.

Thin Ply Technology

Of course, Richard Mille’s cases are often as complex as their calibers, and that’s certainly the case here. Made from Quartz TPT (Thin Ply Technology), a high-tech material developed by North Thin Ply Technology, which offers high-heat resistance, strength and electromagnetic transparency. This composite material is created by heating and pressure molding layers of silica fibres, saturated in resin into the vivid and robust material that was initially developed for the RM27-02 Nadal.

A Complicated Caliber

The Quartz TPT case safely protects the RMAC4 caliber, a bravura take on the split-seconds chronograph, offering not one, but six column wheels, which results in a buttery smooth actuation; this chronograph is capable of timing events up to 12 hours in duration and offers a total of 60 hours of power reserve. As is common with Richard Mille these days, there’s a variable-geometry rotor equipped to make for the most efficient winding, depending on how active your wrist is.

Of course, if you really need to bring the barrel up to speed, there’s a ‘Rapid Winding’ function which allows you to bring the barrel up to charge with repeated activation. To be fair, most watches allow you to do this by winding the crown, but by giving the function its own pusher makes for a more balanced case design.

Richard Mille occupies a special place in the world of watches, managing to balance its position as an ultimate status symbol with some legitimately impressive mechanics and innovation. Having said that, the big story here is the new colours (the yellow is especially gorgeous), which is perfectly on brand.

Tech Specs: Richard Mille RM 65-01

Movement: RMAC4, automatic with 60 hours winding
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, split-seconds chronograph, function selector, rapid winding and variable-geometry rotor
Case: Quartz TP and TPT, 44.50 x 49.94 x 16.10mm thick, water-resistant to 50M
Dial: Openworked
Strap: Rubber
Price: USD 380,000