RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire

The RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire continues Richard Mille’s exploration of this elusive material. Presented as three limited editions, it looks to water for its colours and details. The fully transparent sapphire model echoes crystal waters and is paired with a sea-green strap, while the other two versions have casebacks in coloured sapphire: one lilac pink and the other a deep ocean blue. Cases are made from a block of sapphire that is machined and polished for over 1,000 hours. Clearly visible, the purpose-designed RM75-01 calibre incorporates a flying tourbillon and a flying barrel in a fully skeletonised architecture. There is no dial in the classic sense but a monumental microblasted and satin-finished gold flange, inspired by the vaulted arches of Gothic cathedrals, that rests on titanium pillars whose polished and satin finishes play with contrasts between light and shadow. At 6 o’clock, the flying tourbillon has no upper bridge and thus gives the impression that it is suspended in air. In addition to shock protection, the RM75-01 movement, which runs at 3 Hz or 21,600 vibrations/hour, ensures chronometric precision thanks to a variable-inertia balance. Plate and bridges are in grade 5 titanium. The fast-rotating flying barrel stores 65 hours of power reserve. It makes one complete rotation in 5.2 hours, thereby reducing internal friction and optimising the transmission of torque to the movement. The fully transparent model is limited to 15 pieces; the coloured sapphire models are limited to ten pieces each.