29 Apr Richard Mille RM 75-01 Sapphire Tourbillon – Transparent Horology Redefined

When Richard Mille sets out to challenge the limits of watchmaking, the result is never subtle — and the new RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire is no exception. A masterpiece unveiled in 2025, this extraordinary timepiece blends Gothic architecture, transparent innovation, and next-generation craftsmanship into a stunning new icon for haute horology.

The Architecture of Transparency: Sapphire Like Never Before

The RM 75-01’s case is a technical and artistic triumph. Sculpted entirely from solid blocks of sapphire crystal, the tripartite structure (bezel, caseband, and caseback) offers not only dazzling transparency but exceptional resilience, rated at 2,000 Vickers. Achieving this feat demands more than 1,000 hours of meticulous machining, grinding, and polishing — a process that mirrors the painstaking construction of Gothic cathedrals, which inspired the watch’s intricate architecture.

From every angle, the RM 75-01 reveals a symphony of light, depth, and detail. The skeletonized movement appears to float within the sapphire case, suspended like a work of kinetic art.

Inside the Movement: A Suspended Flying Tourbillon

At the heart of the RM 75-01 beats the Caliber RM75-01: a manual-winding mechanical movement crafted from grade 5 titanium, enhanced with 5N gold PVD treatment.

It features a flying tourbillon — designed without an upper bridge — and a flying barrel, both seemingly weightless within the transparent case. Together, they create a visual ballet of mechanics and lightness.

• Functions: Hours, minutes, flying tourbillon

• Power Reserve: Approximately 65 hours

• Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour)

• Water Resistance: 30 meters

• Case Dimensions: 32.90 mm x 46.75 mm x 14.35 mm

The upper flange, microblasted in 5N red gold and supported by polished titanium pillars, evokes the soaring ribbed vaults of Gothic cathedrals — a breathtaking fusion of tradition and futurism.

Limited Editions: A Trilogy of Color and Light

The RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire is available in three limited editions, each offering a unique expression of color and emotion:

• Clear Sapphire (15 pieces): Pure, crystalline transparency paired with a sea-green rubber strap, echoing the clarity of untouched tropical waters.

• Lilac Pink Sapphire (10 pieces): A soft lilac pink sapphire caseback blends into the clear front, inspired by the ephemeral twilight of South Seas skies.

• Sapphire Blue (10 pieces): A deep oceanic blue sapphire caseback merges with the transparent bezel and caseband, recalling the mysteries of the deep sea.

Each version magnifies the emotional resonance of sapphire and turns it into wearable architecture.

Pricing: The Cost of Transparency and Artistry

Owning a piece of this transparent revolution comes with an equally extraordinary price:

• Clear Sapphire: Approx. $2,018,000 USD

• Sapphire Blue: Approx. $2,238,000 USD

• Lilac Pink Sapphire: Approx. $2,258,000 USD

Exclusively available through Richard Mille boutiques and select authorized partners, these timepieces are destined for the most discerning collectors — those who appreciate not just luxury, but legacy in the making.

Final Thoughts: Gothic Majesty Meets Future Innovation

The Richard Mille RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire is not just a watch; it is an experience of transparency, architecture, and audacity. By daring to suspend mechanical complexity within a fully see-through, cathedral-like structure, Richard Mille proves once again that the future of watchmaking belongs to those who are willing to rethink everything — brilliantly.

WRITTEN & CURATED BY OZZIE SMALL