The Edge Singapore

Femme finesse

!e RM 07-01 is a modern timepiece that mirrors the technical brilliance of its male counterpar­ts, all while staying true to the brand’s dedication to performanc­e and precision

- BY AUDREY SIMON audrey.simon@bizedge.com

Though historical­ly male-dominated, the world of watch collecting is seeing a surge in female enthusiast­s gaining recognitio­n for their expertise and collection­s. Women appreciate the craftsmans­hip, delicate movements, intricate designs and luxurious materials used in mechanical watches, which adds to their appeal.

One timepiece that ticks all the boxes is the RM 07-01 Automatic with a compelling tagline that says The Art of Seduction. At the core of Richard Mille’s women’s collection lies the timeless allure of RM 07-01, a creation that fuses elegance with artistry. Two prominent timepieces are the TZP black and ATZ white ceramic models, which come adorned with diamonds and delicately secured by individual­ly crafted and polished red gold prongs onto the ceramic surface.

The timepieces have rightly claimed their position as the most sought-after collection. They stand as a testament to

Richard Mille’s unwavering dedication to style and the brand’s core values, which are a relentless pursuit of innovation and ongoing research and developmen­t. Each aesthetic choice complement­s the technical features within an elegant and open design.

Innovation and harmony

In 2014, Richard Mille completed their second in-house calibre, the CRMA2, crafted for this collection, drawing upon the brand’s expertise. The variable-geometry rotor enhances energy efficiency based on the wearer’s activity level. The automatic winding mechanism, featuring hours and minutes, is a testament to the craftsmans­hip evident in all Richard Mille timepieces.

The CRMA2 calibre integrates with the barrel-shaped case (45.66 x 31.40 x 11.85 mm), forming a harmonious union. The balanced proportion­s of this pairing provide a canvas for exploring new technical or precious materials, ranging from red gold and white gold to Carbon TPT and Gold Carbon TPT, as well as ATZ white and TZP black ceramic.

The bezel and case back are machined from Carbon TPT, an exclusive material renowned for its distinctiv­e damascene appearance. This material is also featured in the Richard Mille RM 07-01 Intergalac­tic collection. This collection captures a sense of wonder and connection to the universe with four new time

pieces: RM 07-01 Dark Night, RM 0701 Starry Night, RM 07-01 Bright Night and RM 07-01 Misty Night.

Carbon TPT is crafted from multiple layers of parallel filaments derived from carbon fibres. These layers, with a maximum thickness of 30 microns, are infused with a matrix and woven on a specialise­d machine that alters the weft direction by 45° between each layer.

Subjected to heat at 120°C and six bars of pressure, Carbon TPT is then prepared for processing on a CNC machine at Richard Mille’s case factory. This material enhances resistance to breaking stresses by 25% and micro-cracks by 200% compared to other advanced carbon materials. The threepart case boasts water resistance to 50m, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals. Assembly of the case is accomplish­ed with 12 grade 5 titanium spline screws and abrasion-resistant washers made from 316L stainless steel.

At the heart of the gold dials, an array of materials, including diamonds, black sapphires, jasper, onyx, mother of pearl, or Carbon TPT, takes centre stage. In some pieces crafted from white and red gold, the snow setting elevates their allure. Additional­ly, two TZP black and ATZ white ceramic models are adorned with diamonds. Each red gold prong is individual­ly crafted and painstakin­gly polished to hold the set diamonds on the ceramic surface securely.

Heritage reinvested

The bracelet, which integrates with the watch case, ensures ergonomic comfort and security with its double deployment buckle, completing its overall look. Each link undergoes meticulous treatment, featuring bead blasting, satin finishing and polishing.

These details honour its predecesso­rs’ historic artistic and technical expertise and pave the way for future models enriched with diverse perspectiv­es and innovation. Adaptable to individual desires and aspiration­s, the RM 0701 Automatic effortless­ly balances modernity with timeless allure.

The developmen­t of the RM 07-01’s full Carbon TPT bracelet alone took 15 months and involved over 360 crafted components. From the precision setting of diamonds with individual­ly manufactur­ed prongs to the exclusive design of the open link bracelet, every element of this timepiece reflects the unmatched craftsmans­hip infused into each watch.

The open link bracelet, meticulous­ly crafted by skilled artisans and only available in this collection, comes in three unique combinatio­ns: Snow-set designs for white and red gold and red gold paired with Carbon TPT.

 ?? PICTURES: RICHARD MILLE ?? The RM 07-01 Automatic is Richard Mille’s women’s collection that fuses elegance with artistry
PICTURES: RICHARD MILLE The RM 07-01 Automatic is Richard Mille’s women’s collection that fuses elegance with artistry
 ?? ?? The CRMA2 was crafted with an automatic winding mechanism, a testament to the craftsmans­hip evident in all Richard Mille timepieces.
The CRMA2 was crafted with an automatic winding mechanism, a testament to the craftsmans­hip evident in all Richard Mille timepieces.
 ?? ?? The bezel and case back are machined from Carbon TPT, an exclusive material renowned for its distinctiv­e damascene appearance, also featured in the Richard Mille RM 07-01 Intergalac­tic collection
The bezel and case back are machined from Carbon TPT, an exclusive material renowned for its distinctiv­e damascene appearance, also featured in the Richard Mille RM 07-01 Intergalac­tic collection

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