04 Jul Richard Mille Unveils $200K RMB01 Luxury Superbike

When a brand synonymous with six-figure wristwear steps off the wrist and onto the track, the result isn’t just surprising—it’s seismic. Richard Mille, the Swiss watchmaker celebrated for engineering timepieces worn by the likes of Rafael Nadal and Formula 1 titans, has unveiled its boldest move yet: the RMB01, a 130-horsepower luxury superbike built in collaboration with legendary British motorcycle maker Brough Superior.

This isn’t just a vanity project or a logo slap. It’s a full-fledged, precision-crafted machine that channels Mille’s obsessive horological philosophy into the realm of high-performance motorcycling. Think skeletonized movements, machined aluminum, and raw mechanical poetry—just scaled up, throttled, and track-ready.

From Micro Mechanics to Macro Machines

Richard Mille has flirted with automotive inspirations before—remember the ultra-thin Ferrari collaboration in 2022?—but the RMB01 is a different beast entirely. It’s not inspired by performance; it is performance. The collaboration is a logical fusion: both brands worship mechanical excellence, reject the superfluous, and cater to clients who view engineering as art and motion as expression.

At its core is a 997cc V-twin engine, born from a 352-pound block of aluminum and meticulously carved down to a mere 50 pounds of essential parts. That process alone reflects Mille’s fanatical weight-reduction approach, mirroring the openworked, featherlight ethos of his watch cases. With 130 horsepower, the RMB01 isn’t chasing shock-value specs—it’s delivering usable, refined, intelligent power.

Engineered Like a Timepiece. Built Like a Sculpture.

The engine casings—machined from solid 5000-series aluminum alloy with high magnesium content—are deliberately exposed, allowing riders to witness the rhythmic choreography of pistons and gears. It’s a visual callback to the skeleton dials Mille pioneered in the watch world.

The chassis is no less radical: a CNC-machined aluminum core fused to a forged carbon exoskeleton, offering structural integrity with aerospace-grade weight efficiency. Brough Superior’s Fior-type double wishbone forkisolates braking from steering, giving riders control and confidence through corners that would terrify lesser machines.

Even the wheels echo horological design. Split-rim construction mimics the layered complexity of watch gear trains. The speedometer? Fully mechanical, and unmistakably Mille—right down to its architectural minimalism and artisanal execution.

Aesthetics with Attitude

The RMB01 doesn’t scream; it whispers with authority. Available in three colorways—Nocturnal Sapphire, Selene, and Pearl of Speed—it pairs a frosted anthracite grey aero kit with restrained light-grey detailing. Subtle blue accents on key mechanical components (cylinder heads, clutch, alternator, shock springs) deliver a visual pop that’s more Monaco pit lane than Tokyo neon.

This is mechanical art in motion—aggressive, precise, and yet surprisingly elegant. Every curve, every exposed surface, every joint and junction feels considered. It’s not just a superbike—it’s a sculpture with torque.

Limited. Legendary. Ludicrously Luxe.

Only 150 units of the RMB01 will ever be made, each individually numbered and hand-assembled in France. Expect pricing north of $200,000, and don’t expect to see one on your morning commute. This is the kind of machine that might live under a spotlight in a billionaire’s salon—or be unleashed on a private track where only the ultra-rich roam.

The RMB01 took 18 months of obsessive collaboration to perfect, and it shows. Every bolt, weld, and bracket reflects the same standard of craftsmanship as a Richard Mille tourbillon. And just like Mille’s watches, this bike isn’t for everyone—it’s for the select few who understand that in an age of automation and digital noise, mechanical purity is the ultimate luxury.

Conclusion: The Rideable Richard Mille

The RMB01 is more than just a crossover—it’s a revelation. A living, breathing homage to mechanical mastery. It’s what happens when two brands at the peak of their respective crafts decide to break their own molds and create something utterly new.

For those who can afford it, the RMB01 offers a rare proposition: not just to wear your Richard Mille, but to ride it. Fast, fearlessly, and with every detail designed to leave the world—and time itself—in your rearview.

curated & written by Ozzie Small