Style Edit: Richard Mille's RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire is an ocean-inspired masterpiece, with a case carved from crystal and a skeletonised movement for maximum drama
The case of Richard Mille's RM 75-01 behaves like a lens. Photo: Handout
Unsurprisingly, that's the first thing that hits you. Crafted from synthetic sapphire – one of the hardest materials after diamond – it offers complete transparency without compromising durability. To make a single case,
Richard Mille starts with a massive block of sapphire and spends over 1,000 hours machining, grinding and polishing it.
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The process includes 40 days of round-the-clock work, just to achieve the right curves and clarity. The result: a case that behaves like a lens, subtly tinting and highlighting the movement inside depending on the angle of the light.
Richard Mille's RM 75-01 is crafted from synthetic sapphire. Photo: Handout
The RM75-01 calibre is skeletonised to take full advantage. With no upper bridges holding the tourbillon or barrel in place, the components appear suspended in mid-air – a design choice that also makes the movement more resistant to shocks. The titanium baseplate acts like scaffolding: lightweight yet ultra-strong, and is given a micro-blasted satin finish to bring texture and contrast.
'We approached each element as a piece of architectural art,' says Cécile Guenat, Richard Mille's director of creation and development. 'The harmony of depths and the meticulous selection of materials create a dynamic and captivating view of the movement.'
Richard Mille's RM 75-01 is seen by its creators as a piece of architectural art. Photo: Handout
Each reference in the series plays with colour to evoke a particular landscape. The clear sapphire case is paired with a sea green strap – a quiet nod to tropical waters. One version features a lilac pink caseback, reminiscent of late-evening light over the ocean. Another comes in sapphire blue, suggesting deeper, darker waters. These are not just aesthetic choices – coloured sapphire is notoriously hard to produce, requiring extreme control over temperature and mineral content during growth to avoid uneven hues or visible flaws.
This is a watch that doesn't hide how it works. Every bridge, gear and angle is out in the open – not for decoration, but because transparency is the point. The RM 75-01 has been inspired by water, an allusion to its true focus – clarity of structure, purpose and craft.
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