Latest news with #RM75-01FlyingTourbillonSapphire
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
TECHNICAL PROWESS AND BOLD AESTHETICS
Inspired by the aquatic realm, each variation of the Richard Mille RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire possesses a unique hue evoking a specific seascape and atmosphere. Combining the architectural grandeur of gothic art with the captivating flow of water, these watches were meticulously calibrated to elicit an emotional response. Born of a new challenge the brand set for itself, for the first time ever, the movement was designed and imagined for a sapphire case. The RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire exists in three distinct expressions, two of which – produced in editions of 10 pieces each – combine clear and coloured sapphire crystal, while the third, crafted entirely of clear sapphire, has been issued in an edition of 15. A maritime odyssey The unique hue of each of these references evokes a particular landscape or atmosphere. Fusing the purity of sapphire with uniquely undersea light effects, each model takes you on a unique voyage. Fusing the purity of sapphire with uniquely undersea light effects, each model takes you on a unique voyage. "Being able to use sapphire in multiple colours offered the opportunity to create multiple identities," explains Development and Creation director Cecile Guenat. Water, a symbol of clarity and movement, provides the guiding light for exploring multiple facets of coloured sapphire. The model in clear sapphire recalls the surface of waves with its case, while its sea-green rubber strap suggests the seabed and dreamy tropical beaches. The two other versions have coloured sapphire casebacks: one of these is a lilac pink shade reminiscent of a South Sea twilight; the other is a sapphire blue richly evoking the deep-sea realm. Completing this colour palette, a meticulously worked crown combines a vivid rubber gasket with a domed cabochon of a precious stone such as white agate or intense pink opal. Crafted in red gold and set with diamonds, the mechanism is echoed in the flange that frames the movement on the case. The RM75-01 calibre boasts exceptional precision and reveals an unexpected complexity due to its bold architecture. An exceptional material A pioneer in the use of sapphire for cases and components, the brand constantly redefines the standard of excellence in haute horlogerie by exploring this material's technical and aesthetic limits. Sapphire is widely used in watchmaking today, 13 years ago, however, Richard Mille was the only one to fully grasp its potential for the complete machining of a case. Since the brand was created in 2001, the principle of visibility has been taken further than ever with the use of sapphire, exceptional material which acts as a filter and lens, softening or intensifying colour, shape and the activity of the mechanism. The brilliance of sapphire magnifies each detail of the brand's calibres, while subtly capturing in the precision optics and electronics sectors, the Brand uses synthetic sapphire, identical to natural sapphire in terms of chemical composition, physical properties and crystalline structure. A lilac pink caseback is reminiscent of a South Sea twilight. However, lab-created sapphire makes possible gem-quality blocks of sufficient size to carve the three constituent parts of a Richard Mille case: bezel, caseband and caseback. Working with Swiss-based partner Stettler AG, the brand relies on the Kyropoulos process, where the raw material, aluminium oxide, is heated to between 2,000 and 2,050°C in a controlled atmosphere. Machining sapphire represents a true technical feat. Its extreme hardness — 9 on the Mohs scale, or 2,000 Vickers, just below that of diamond — makes it highly resistant to scratches but allows only micron-level tolerances to ensure the perfect fit of each component. Working from a block weighing several dozen kilos, extracting a tripartite case requires over 1,000 hours, including 40 days of grinding around the clock. A third of this time is devoted to polishing, a process made particularly complex by the curves and pillars characteristic of Richard Mille cases. Producing coloured sapphire makes the process even more complex and delicate, as the metal oxides that colour the crystal lattice must be incorporated with precise timing. The challenge of synthesising and producing a new sapphire colour involves respecting the temperature conditions which can affect the way the oxides diffuse into the crystal lattice, yielding uneven colour distribution, or result in unwanted hues. Likewise, growing too quickly can lead to uneven colouring and to the formation of bubbles in the crystal. Reproducing the exact same colour in different blocks is a major challenge, due to the impact of minute variations in growth conditions or in the purity of the ingredients. The model in clear sapphire recalls the surface of waves with its case, while its sea-green rubber strap suggests the seabed and dreamy tropical beaches. Attention to detail Although minimalist in its components, the RM75-01 calibre boasts exceptional precision and reveals an unexpected complexity due to its bold architecture. Sweeping arcs, omnipresent in this creation, translate fluidity and motion. The decorative elements, such as the cloud-shaped elements at the four corners of the flange, lend a timeless aura while also setting off the overall silhouette. The flange is styled like a cathedral, a monumental frame in microblasted red gold rests on pillars of satin-polished titanium. Playing on vivid contrasts between solid and empty space, it imbues the heart of the calibre with light when darkness falls, thanks to touches of SuperLuminova. The titanium baseplate, practically metallic lacework, firmly holds the wheels with their involute-profile gear teeth, the tourbillon and the barrel. An absence of upper bridges to hold these elements is what makes them "flying", accentuating the skeleton effect of the movement, while nonetheless ensuring resistance to any situation, a design choice that banishes all excess, strengthening the visual rhythm. Its bridges reveal ultra-precise craftsmanship that plays with volume and perspective, enhanced by pellucid sapphire and meticulously executed microblasted satin finishes. As a contrast with the rhodium-treated wheels, the titanium baseplate in PVD is treated in 5N gold, bringing a touch of warmth to the mechanics. Styled like a cathedral, the 5N red gold flange generates volume. The highly openworked and minimalist baseplate adopts a multilevel design, forming a triangular structure that associates dynamic energy and aesthetic balance. Along the side, the minute bridge reveals subtle curves, visible through the caseband at 9 o'clock, while the delicately positioned wheels create an X motif that can be observed from the back, the model's visual signature, as it were. The ultra-skeletonised movement of the RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire is further enhanced by eschewing a dial, letting the intrinsic beauty and complexity of the movement take center stage. Two gold cabochons cap the flying barrel, positioned at 12 o'clock, and the flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock. Even the crown, set with 28 brilliant white diamonds, exemplifies meticulous artistry, required numerous hours to complete. The clear sapphire model features a crown adorned with white agate, while the blue sapphire timepiece showcases a crown embellished with rose opal.
Vogue Singapore
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
A secret architectural detail lives in this Richard Mille watch
Watch brands don't technically do seasons as far as their collections go. But there can be rhythms in place, and at Richard Mille it's become a de facto practice that every summer, creative and development director Cécile Guenat introduces some colour and levity. In the past, that has included sweet, playful candy designs; the punchy colours of the brand's first sports watch dedicated to women; and graphic odes to the Memphis design movement. This year, though, the high-end Swiss watchmaker is taking an elegant, architectural approach with the new RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire. The watch is inspired dually by the limpid grace of flowing water and the imposing beauty of Gothic architecture. An unusual combination, but it's precisely this aesthetic tension that makes the watch interesting and adds to its beauty. Richard Mille's RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire contrasts water and Gothic cathedrals through its limpid sapphire case and specially designed movement architecture. Courtesy of Richard Mille The RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire in clear sapphire. Courtesy of Richard Mille The idea of water is evoked through the absolute use of sapphire to fashion the three-part case of the watch. The bezel, caseband and caseback are crafted from immaculately grown gem-grade sapphire that is perfectly clear and has all its mineral strengths. A model in full clear sapphire is limited to 15 pieces, while a pair with contrasting coloured casebacks in lilac pink and sapphire blue are each limited to 10 pieces. The reason for the difference in numbers is simple: crafting coloured sapphire parts is, to put it mildly, a technically challenging feat in watchmaking. Metal oxides are introduced into growing sapphire boules, and must be tended to with delicate, intense care. The slightest irregularity in temperature, speed of mixing or purity of the environment can introduce flaws. And in a watch machined and carved from single blocks of sapphire, and which is meant to evoke the clarity of water, even a speck of impurity or irregular colour is unconscionable. Courtesy of Richard Mille Working with a watch that is fully encased in transparent sapphire also birthed a new creative challenge for the brand. It designed, for the first time in its history, a brand-new movement, the calibre RM75-01, specifically to partner and complement a sapphire case. This is where the Gothic architecture comes into play. Observe the curves, corners and details of the movement, which is equipped with a flying tourbillon and flying barrel, and you might see a cathedral inspiration. Courtesy of Richard Mille Perhaps the most enlightening view of this is from the side of the watch. The flange that frames the movement, crafted from 5N red gold, evokes the soaring ribbed vaults of an architectural dome, or even architectural features like flying buttresses. To make the architecture of the skeletonised-to-the-maximum movement easier to take in visually, Richard Mille added touches of colour separation with the titanium baseplate PVD treated with 5N gold, and wheels treated with rhodium for a silvered grey finish. 'We weren't spontaneously attracted to a two-colour treatment for the metallic components,' explains Guenat of the creative yet logical approach to distinguishing the components of the movement through depth and colour. Combined with the flying tourbillon and flying barrel—which are secured without upper bridges so you can take in an unobstructed view—you get a sense of wonderment. Vogue Singapore's June 2025 'Gold' issue is available on newsstands and online.
Hype Malaysia
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hype Malaysia
It's Bougie O'clock With These Exquisite New Drops From Zenith & Richard Mille!
The line between form and function in the world of fashion is a thin one indeed, and it's a pain when consumers have to pick between what's necessary and what's appealing. However, that dilemma is non-existent with the watches we're highlighting today, as they not only emanate an overwhelming sense of luxury, but are also paradigms of practicality and usability. Check them out for yourselves! Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Rose Gold Zenith has unveiled a new version of its Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, with a striking black dial and featuring 18-carat rose gold. The model, which was first reintroduced during LVMH Watch Week 2024, has only ever been available in steel cases; this is the first time it has been redesigned in rose gold. The design honours the Maison's 1969 A386 watch, but it has been updated for contemporary wearers. The simplified colour scheme of rose gold, black, and white accents is the main focus of this updated version. It maintains its traditional features, such as tapered lugs, pump-style pushers, and a raised box sapphire crystal, guaranteeing elegant proportions and an easy-to-use design. The rose gold moon phase function and the full calendar display work in unison with the El Primero three-register chronograph. The date appears at 4:30, and the day and month indicators are symmetrically placed at 11 and 2 o'clock. A balanced and readable dial is ensured by the graceful integration of the moon phase display into the 60-minute chronograph counter at six o'clock. The rose gold-plated hands and hour markers are coated with SuperLuminova SLN C1 to improve visibility in low light conditions. The new El Primero 3610 movement, which powers the watch, has a 60-hour power reserve and a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. Like its counterparts, the watch has an open sapphire crystal caseback that provides a full view of its amazing movement. The Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Rose Gold is available for sale at Zenith's official website and authorised retailers for US$26,300 (~RM111,150). Richard Mille's RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire Watches Three RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire models have been introduced by Richard Mille as part of their upscale watch line. The timepieces, which were made especially for sapphire cases, combine fluidity inspired by water with gothic architectural elements. There are three different variations in the collection. One has a sea-green rubber strap and a clear sapphire case, which evokes images of tropical beaches and water. One model features lilac pink sapphire casebacks that reflect the twilight of the South Sea, while the other model features sapphire blue casebacks that are inspired by the depths of the ocean. Every design preserves elegance while capturing the spirit of the natural world. Proudly displayed from practically every angle on the watch case is the fully skeletonised RM 75-01 calibre. In the meantime, SuperLuminova components highlight the intricate design's sculptural quality by illuminating it with an enthralling interplay of light and shadow. Each tripartite case, requiring over 1,000 hours of labour, reflects the brand's mastery of this hard, scratch-resistant material. Richard Mille's commitment to inventive watchmaking is embodied in the RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire, which combines classic design elements with technical sophistication. For more details on the new RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire watches, head over to Richard Mille's official website.
