Richard Mille once again defies convention with the RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire—a breathtaking trilogy of timepieces that fuse gothic architectural inspiration with the hypnotic translucence of water. This new collection, comprising three distinctive models, represents a bold leap in horology: the brand’s first-ever movement conceived specifically for a sapphire case.
The RM 75-01 was not simply adapted to fit a sapphire exterior—it was engineered from the ground up to work in harmony with this notoriously difficult material. Its fully skeletonised movement is an ethereal sculpture of light, air, and metal—intricately constructed to highlight its two flying components: the flying tourbillon and flying barrel.
This horological marvel is available in three expressions. Two versions, each limited to 10 pieces, pair transparent sapphire with accents of vivid colour: one in lilac-pink, recalling the twilight hues of the South Seas, and the other in sapphire blue, evoking the depths of the ocean. The third, a fully transparent version limited to 15 pieces, rests on a case shaped like wave crests, paired with a sea-green rubber strap that suggests tropical shores.
Architectural Fluidity Meets Technical Precision
Inspired by ribbed vaults and gothic domes, the RM 75-01’s microblasted red gold flange is supported by satin-polished titanium pillars—elements that evoke medieval cathedrals as much as they do modern sculpture. These sweeping arches and radial lines give the movement a powerful visual rhythm, amplified by SuperLuminova accents that transform the calibre into a luminous engine in the dark.
The titanium baseplate, treated with warm 5N gold PVD, acts as both the structural backbone and aesthetic heart of the watch. With no upper bridges, the movement’s flying barrel and tourbillon appear suspended in space. Bridges shaped with mathematical precision enhance the illusion of depth, while rhodium-finished wheels glint beneath layers of light and shadow. The result is a kinetic artwork where volume, geometry, and transparency converge.
The Sapphire Revolution
At the core of this creation is sapphire crystal—an extraordinary material that balances supreme hardness with visual purity. Rated 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness, making it highly scratch-resistant but exceptionally difficult to machine. From a block weighing dozens of kilos, each case—bezel, band, and back—takes over 1,000 hours to extract, with 40 days dedicated to non-stop grinding and an additional third of that time required for polishing.
Richard Mille was the first to push sapphire to these limits, and the RM 75-01 extends that mastery. Even the coloured versions are feats of chemical alchemy: by infusing metallic oxides into the crystal during growth, the brand achieves rich, uniform tones—but the process demands flawless control. A fraction of a degree too much or too little can lead to bubbles or discolouration, and matching blocks for consistent hues remains a challenge only the most advanced laboratories can meet.
A Metaphysical Fusion
In the RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire, modern material science intersects with historical artistry, and minimalist mechanics meet maximalist form. This is not merely a timepiece—it’s a sculptural meditation on transparency, tension, and transcendence.
With only 35 pieces produced across three references, the RM 75-01 stands as a statement of both horological innovation and creative vision—a crystalline celebration of Richard Mille’s enduring pursuit: to reimagine the watch as a high-performance work of art.
