Two highlights from Richard Mille’s watches for ladies showcase a more feminine – and gilded – take on the brand’s famous Carbon TPT.
One of the hallmarks of contemporary Richard Mille timepieces for men is Carbon TPT, a proprietary material that imparts not only superior robustness but also a unique and powerful appearance. Today, the brand showcases the feminine side of this innovation through a new milestone of excellence: Gold Carbon TPT, as seen on the ever-popular RM 07-01 and RM 037 models.
The Gleam of Gold
The RM 07-01 and the slightly larger RM 037 watches – both among the most successful timepieces from Richard Mille – has so far featured cases in ceramic, gold and Carbon TPT. Today, the latest interpretations of these two models are presented in an exclusive composite material combining the lightness and strength of Carbon TPT and the timeless alure of the most celebrated noble metal. Meet the RM 07-01 and RM 037 Gold Carbon TPT.
The RM 07-01 Gold Carbon TPT showcases Richard Mille’s signature technological know-how with a touch of sensuality through the curved lines of its tonneau case. Of particular note, the striking damascene patterns on the case is hard to miss. These are revealed at random during the creation process of these cases and therefore make each timepiece unique, resonating with the spirit of the women these watches were designed for.
It goes without saying that achieving the creation of Gold Carbon TPT – along with the technical benefits and aesthetic values that come with it – is a technological tour de force by Richard Mille. There is, of course, the extensive know-how needed to work out how this hybrid material could be put together – the short explanation being Carbon TPT layers compiled at a 45-degree angle that alternate with sheets of gold – as well as the absolute precision required when it comes to designing milling programmes and seeking out suitable cutting tools. The end result is a material that allows for new plays of light and gorgeous shades of gold.
Inside, the RM 07-01 Gold Carbon TPT is driven by the in-house Calibre CRMA2, a skeletonised automatic movement which adds another layer of contrasting visuals, this time between the delicacy of the mechanism and the rigorous strength of the timepiece as a whole.
The RM 037 Gold Carbon TPT, meanwhile, also comes with a skeletonised automatic movement, the CRMA1. And once again, we see a play of contrasts between the bare elements of the movement and the satin-brushed, bevelled, micro-blasted and black polished surfaces framing it. As the RM 037 is slightly larger, however, it reveals even more details of its movement, including the two skeletonised calendar discs used to display the oversize date.
All in all, Gold Carbon TPT becomes yet another milestone in Richard Mille’s determination to make innovation a core tenet of its development. However, it is not the only new way that the brand has brought together technology and prestige in models of exceptional workmanship…
Gemstones and Bracelets…
Gold Carbon TPT constitutes one of the latest developments by Richard Mille, particularly how the robustness of Carbon TPT has been interpreted in more feminine ways through the brands ladies’ watches. The road leading there, however, started quite some time ago; in 2016, to be exact, with the RM 07-01 and RM 037 Carbon TPT gem-set.
The striking contrast between matte carbon and scintillating diamonds on these interpretations of the RM 07-01 and RM 037 is a definite eye-catcher. Underlying this radiant beauty is, once again, Richard Mille’s drive for innovation as setting gemstones in Carbon TPT is no small feat. For one, the material is much, much harder and resistant than gold, and therefore much harder to work on, especially when it comes to performing the mitraillage involved in creating a pavé setting. As testament to Richard Mille’s mastery of the art, the watches showcase flush surfaces, even on the RM 037 Full Set model which is adorned by as many as 250 diamonds.
And more recently, there is the RM 07-01 in Carbon TPT with a bracelet made from the very same material. The fruit of 13 months of development, this bracelet is formed by dozens of Carbon TPT plates placed on a grade 5 titanium skeleton by means of 44 of Richard Mille’s characteristic spline screws. This micromechanical gem combines suppleness and extreme rigidity to astounding effect, while extending the tonneau shape all around the wrist. Despite its robustness and complexity, this Carbon TPT bracelet weighs in at a mere 29 grams.
If anything, this saga from Carbon TPT bracelet to gem-set cases and now a marriage between this composite material and gold, further reasserts Richard Mille’s standing as a peerless watchmaker.
