In Richard Mille’s newest release, the RM 65-01 Automatic Split-seconds Chronograph featuring Dark Yellow Quartz TPT® and Pastel Blue Quartz TPT®, adding summery colours has its challenges.
It is not a simple task of applying a shade; rather, it took months for the research and development team at Richard Mille to create the specific hues required for the colour and quality standards set for each timepiece. For instance, to achieve the correct shade of the pastel blue Quartz TPT®, silica fibres are layered to a thickness of no more than 45 microns and infused with a custom-developed blue resin for Richard Mille. The yellow Quartz TPT® brings warmth and brilliance to the exposed inner workings making it visible through its skeletonised dial.
The two models both enjoy the exceptional benefits conferred by Quartz TPT®, developed by NTPT™ (North Thin Ply Technology). Giving life to this composite are multiple layers of silica fibres, saturated with resins specially developed for Richard Mille and heated to 120°C at a pressure of 6 bars. The result is its extreme resistance, while Quartz TPT® also embellishes the aesthetics of the watch by providing an additional touch of elegance.
The arrangement of colours serves a purpose too, with each colour corresponding to a specific function on the dial, enhancing readability. This colour coding is consistent across the pushers and crown. Given the meticulous detail applied to the colours, one can expect the same level of attention to be given to the internal components as well.
The highly intricate timepiece features an automatic split-seconds chronograph which took five years to perfect. The complexity lies in the six-column wheel within the calibre RMAC4, which controls time measurement.
From a technical standpoint, with a high-frequency balance that features variable inertia and oscillates at 36,000 vibrations per hour (vph), this movement showcases meticulous craftsmanship. Comprising 600 parts that once assembled form the most intricate of all the brand’s automatic movements is the calibre RMAC4. This calibre powers the RM 65-01 Split-seconds Chronograph, providing it with precise chronometric data.
The chronograph also underwent a battery of rigorous tests to verify its flawless operation in various scenarios. These tests included shock and drop simulations, accelerated 10-year ageing trials for all functions, waterproof assessments, and tests for resistance against magnetic fields.
See also: Ipah Uid Lynn: The first Asian to win Oceanographic Magazine's Female Fifty Fathoms Award
Every aspect of this timepiece demonstrates attention to detail. Consider, for example, the pusher located at 8 o’clock, designed to quickly recharge the spring in its fast-rotating barrel. Pressing this pusher fully resets the barrel, making it convenient for swiftly re-energising the watch if left unworn for an extended period.
This highly practical feature, described as “very playful” by Richard Mille’s engineers, was particularly challenging to develop due to the high levels of torque transfer involved. Throughout the ageing tests, this function was activated thousands of times to ensure its reliability and durability.
Furthermore, the chronograph’s mechanism benefits from a 60-hour power reserve. By using the function selector on the crown, the wearer can easily switch from the traditional winding mode (W) to adjusting the semi-instantaneous date (D) or the hours and minutes (H).
With its impressive technical accomplishments, this timepiece remains true to its core identity as a sports watch, embodying Richard Mille’s principles of excellence, perfection, and innovation. Richard Mille has maintained close ties with sports that mirror the brand’s ethos, spanning disciplines like tennis, motor racing, and golf.
Whether you’re a weekend sports enthusiast or a dedicated professional athlete, the RM 65-01 Automatic Split-seconds chronograph serves as the perfect companion for daily wear that lets you transition from the office to the gym effortlessly.
For more lifestyle, arts and fashion trends, click here for Options Section
Technical features of the RM 65-01 Automatic Split-seconds Chronograph
Main features:
- Movement dimensions: 31.78mm × 29.98mm
- Thickness: 8.69mm
- Jewels: 51
- Balance spring: AK3
Case:
- The design and execution of the watch demonstrates a highly conceptual holistic approach to the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications, in the manner of the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars, where the chassis and the engine are developed in complete harmony. For example, a casing ring is no longer used, and the movement is mounted on chassis mounting rubbers (ISO SW) fixed by grade 5 titanium screws. Features such as these are evidence of uncompromising workmanship. The tripartite case is water-resistant to 50 metres, ensured by two Nitrile O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel
Crown:
- In microblasted, polished and satin-finished grade 5 titanium with double seal O-ring and rubber collar
Interior flanges:
- In carbon fibre filled with an approved luminescent material
Dial:
- In sapphire (thickness: 0.35mm) with anti-glare treatment (both sides), protected by eight silicon braces inserted in the upper and lower grooves. Counters in titanium
Crystal:
- Bezel side: In sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides). Thickness: 1.50mm
- Caseback: In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides). Thickness: 1.20mm at the centre; outer edges 2.04mm
Movement finishing:
- Baseplate and bridges in titanium, wet sandblasted, PVD and electroplasma treated.
- Anglage and polishing by hand
- Hand-polished locking sections
- Burnished pivots
- Diamond-polished sinks
- Pinions with undercuts
Steel part finishing:
- Sapphire-blasted surfaces
- Anglage and polishing by hand
- Screw slot and screws bevelled and polished with rounded and polished tip
Wheels:
- Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
- Circular-decorated faces
- Sandblasted and bevelled wheels
- Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
- Minimal corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance
Split-seconds Chronograph explained
Use:
- Start or stop the chronograph function via the pusher located at 2 o’clock. The hands are reset by pressing another pusher, located at 4 o’clock.
- Split-seconds chronograph function
- By pressing the pusher at 10 o’clock, you can stop the split-seconds hand to read an intermediate time while the chronograph is engaged.
- Pressing the pusher again allows the split-seconds hand to rejoin the chronograph hand.
30-minute totaliser:
- While the chronograph function is activated, the minutes passed are indicated by the subdial at 3 o’clock.
12-hour totaliser:
- The subdial located at 9 o’clock indicates the hours that have passed since the chronograph was started, up to a maximum of 12 hours.
