Richard Mille draws inspiration from both the crystalline transparency of oceans and the grandeur of Gothic architecture, incorporating these influences throughout the movement, case, and decorative elements. The new fully skeletonized RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire functions as an ethereal sculpture, with each component distinguished by precise finishing that highlights the flying tourbillon and flying barrel.
The RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire comes in three distinct expressions. Two versions, each limited to 10 pieces, feature transparent colored sapphire in either blue or lilac pink, while the third version, crafted entirely from clear sapphire, is limited to 15 pieces.
These variations draw inspiration from aquatic realms: the clear sapphire case evokes wave surfaces with a sea-green rubber strap suggesting tropical seabeds, while the colored versions feature either lilac pink sapphire case backs reminiscent of South Sea twilights or sapphire blue evoking deep-sea environments. The crystalline sapphire serves functional, aesthetic, and sensory purposes—its smooth surface provides warmth and comfort when worn, embodying both preciousness and innovation.
Colored sapphire creation represents an even greater challenge, requiring precisely controlled temperature and growth rates when incorporating metallic oxides into the crystal structure. The slightest variation can cause uneven color distribution or bubble formation. Achieving exact color matching between different blocks remains a significant hurdle.
The RM 75-01 celebrates transparency, providing an unobstructed view bathed in subtle hues diffused through the case back. Machining sapphire represents a significant technical challenge—creating a tripartite case from a block weighing dozens of kilograms requires over 1,000 hours, including 40 continuous days of grinding. The entire RM 75-01 case—bezel, caseband, and case back—is cut and milled from solid sapphire blocks without external support structures. Made from aluminum oxide—Al₂O₃—crystals, sapphire's molecular composition provides its transparency and remarkable 2,000 Vickers—9 on the Mohs scale— hardness. Sapphire resists scratches but demands micron-level tolerances for perfect component fit.
Creating a tripartite case from a block weighing dozens of kilograms requires over 1,000 hours, including 40 continuous days of grinding. A third of this time is devoted to polishing—a process complicated by Richard Mille's characteristic curves and pillars.
The tripartite case measuring 32.90 x 46.75 x 14.35 mm maintains water resistance to 30 meters using two Nitrile O-ring seals, assembled with 24 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
The upper flange is in 5N red gold with polished and micro-blasted steel markers with the index points filled with approved luminous material. Meanwhile, the titanium baseplate, resembling metallic lacework, securely anchors the wheels with their involute-profile gear teeth, the tourbillon, and the barrel. The "flying" designation comes from the absence of upper bridges supporting these elements, enhancing the skeleton effect while maintaining durability in all conditions.
The bridges showcase precise craftsmanship that plays with volume and perspective, enhanced by clear sapphire and meticulous microblasted satin finishes. The titanium baseplate, PVD-treated in 5N gold, adds warmth that contrasts with the rhodium-treated wheels. The movement provides a power reserve of 65 hours and the flying tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock makes a full rotation every 60 seconds.
The highly open-worked, multi-level baseplate forms a triangular structure combining dynamic energy with aesthetic balance. In lateral openings, the minute bridge extends through the caseband with powerful curves that emphasize striking volumes.
Sapphire's transparency reveals the movement's entire structure—a feature Richard Mille pioneered through integral machining of watch cases. The synthetic sapphire enables the creation of all three case components: bezel, caseband, and case back.
Sticker Price USD 2,018,000 for Clear, USD 2,238,000 for Blue, and USD 2,258,000 for Lilac Pink. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
