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

South China Morning Post

21-05-2025

The Richard Mille RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire isn't just another high-concept watch – it's a deep dive into materials science, movement architecture and the beauty of transparent mechanics. Inspired by the ocean and shaped by architectural precision, this timepiece brings together the technical drama of gothic cathedrals and the fluidity of water in a case that is actually carved from crystal.
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.