But they are also marvels of materials science. Their cases are made from hi-tech Carbon TPT, a material often deployed by Richard Mille for its beautiful, wavy patterns and incredible resilience. With a surface so hard, diamond-bit milling tools are used to create the settings for the stones.
Similarly, the RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur, a limited edition of just 30 pieces, first catches the eye for the stunning depiction of a magnolia flower that appears in the bottom left of its dial, surrounding a flying tourbillon.
Again, that flower is not just beautiful, but powered by groundbreaking technology, its five petals delicately unfurling themselves both automatically and on demand, with the tourbillon even moving upwards slightly at the same time, like a stamen straining to be pollinated. This mechanical marvel is made possible by a complex system of levers and pinions, all powered by a second winding barrel.
STYLE Edit: Richard Mille launches rock ‘n’ roll watch RM 66 Flying Tourbillon
The RM 74-01 and RM 74-02 In-House Automatic Tourbillons, meanwhile, are powered by different versions of a head-turning skeletonised calibre, offset by cases in a pair of equally technologically advanced materials.On the RM 74-01, that material is grey cermet, which combines a metallic zirconium matrix with high-performance ceramic inserts, allowing it to marry the lightness of the former with the resilience of the latter.
The case of the RM 74-02 is also made of a hybrid material, in this case gold Carbon TPT, which presents a visually spectacular contrast between matt black carbon and threads of 24-karat yellow gold.
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