Richard Mille has always shared a special bond with the world of cycling andhas drawn icons of the sport into its orbit. Collaborating with Colnago, the legendary Italian bicycle manufacturer, felt like a natural next step.
Richard Mille’s immersion in the world of cycling reaches its apogee with the launch of the RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago. Developed in close collaboration with Colnago’s designers, this creation, limited to just 50 timepieces, fuses sporting ethos, aesthetic refinement and technical precision.
The RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago faithfully yet subtly translates the Italian manufacturer’s design codes into a watch whose tubular architecture channels the spirit of the iconic RM 012 Tourbillon. Inspired by the Cambiago bike builder’s cycle frames, the RM64-01 calibre was conceived around three guiding principles: lightness, transparency and volume. Its resolutely graphic construction lays bare each of the 274 components with such clarity that the eye could almost be tracing the frame of a racing bike.
The skeletonised grade 5 titanium baseplate and bridges are microblasted, their edges brought to life by hand-polished bevels before a black and grey PVD treatment completes the finish. Within this structure sits the gear train, fitted with a fast-rotating barrel delivering a 65-hour power reserve. Positioned at 1 o’clock, the barrel sits in direct symmetry with the variable-inertia tourbillon at 7 o’clock – a layout that instantly recalls a bicycle drivetrain. This impression is reinforced by the titanium upper bridges which, with their star-shaped design, echo the iconic geometry of the Colnago ‘Master’ frames that were developed in the 1980s to boost torsional rigidity without adding weight.
For the first time on a Richard Mille sports watch, 5N red gold plays a part in the timepiece’s visual identity. In cycling, as in Richard Mille’s vision of sports watches, lightness is non-negotiable. The case is accordingly crafted from White Quartz TPT®, a material prized for its exceptional mechanical properties. The notched bezels sharpen the watch’s dynamic look, incorporating Azure Blue Quartz TPT® – a new shade of Quartz TPT®.
The 5N red gold flange completes this colour scheme. The same precious alloy graces the crown cap, which is crafted from Quartz TPT®, adorned with a lacquered Ace of Clubs in a nod to Colnago’s iconic emblem. The golden accents extend to the hands, which have been specially designed for this creation to echo the cranks of a bicycle bracket.
The RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago is the convergence of two visions of engineering, both driven by a desire to create objects capable of delivering exceptional performance and artistic excellence. This mechanism does not simply measure time. It honours movement, celebrates speed and pays tribute to the irreplaceable human hand behind every extraordinary object.
- Colnago, a symbol of cycling rarity and Italian craftsmanship
- A new minimalist and graphic model inspired by Colnago’s heritage
- Limited edition of 50 timepieces
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more information: richardmille.com
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