Cover Richard Mille RM 07-01 Automatic in Carbon TPT with open link bracelet
Richard Mille RM 07-01 Automatic in Carbon TPT with open link bracelet
1 / 1
Fusing innovation with timeless elegance, Richard Mille celebrates the individuality and sophistication of the modern woman through its designs
Cutting-edge engineering, avant-garde materials, and high‑performance design—these are the qualities that have defined Richard Mille’s reputation in haute horlogerie. While traditionally seen as masculine, these elements hold a universal appeal for watch enthusiasts across the spectrum. Furthermore, the Swiss manufacture has never seen technical excellence and visual boldness as the preserve of men alone. From its early years, the brand has cultivated a space for women—one that is as compelling as its men’s collections, but attuned to a distinctly feminine spirit.
In case you missed it: A closer look at 5 of Patek Philippe’s most refined complications for 2025
Above Richard Mille RM 07-01 Automatic in Carbon TPT with open link bracelet
Richard Mille RM 07-01 Automatic in Carbon TPT with open link bracelet
1 / 1
In fact, Richard Mille introduced ladies’ models to its collection from as early as 2005 with the RM 007, just four years after its founding. These were not simply scaled-down versions of men’s watches, but creations conceived with the same technical intent and aesthetic conviction. Bold yet elegant, they balanced complexity with clarity, and brought a sense of modernity to feminine watchmaking.
More recently, this same ethos has taken form in timepieces such as the RM 07-01 and RM 74-02—models that distill the brand’s distinctive boldness into elegant and feminine forms. First launched in 2014, the RM 07-01 marked a significant expansion of Richard Mille’s women’s collection. It brought together the brand’s technical language—monobloc tonneau cases, skeletonised movements, cutting-edge materials—with the sensibilities of high jewellery and feminine design.
Above A diamond snow-set version of the RM 07-01 Automatic in white gold with open link bracelet
A diamond snow-set version of the RM 07-01 Automatic in white gold with open link bracelet
1 / 1
While the RM 07-01 Automatic is available in a number of variations, the versions with the open link bracelets are particularly stylish and have become icons in their own right, elevating the watch into a piece of architectural jewellery that is as refined as it is recognisably Richard Mille. More than just a mere accessory, the bracelet forms an intimate bond between case and skin. Designed to integrate seamlessly into the fluid lines of the case, it ensures exceptional ergonomics and a comfortable fit, secured by a double deployment buckle.
Developed by Richard Mille’s in-house experts, the open link bracelet is offered in three luxurious combinations for the RM 07-01: snow-set links in white or red gold, and red gold paired with Carbon TPT. Each link is meticulously finished—bead blasted, satin-brushed and polished—to achieve a refined contrast that enhances the bracelet’s sculptural appeal.
At the heart of the RM 07-01 is the CRMA2 calibre, a highly skeletonised automatic movement developed in-house specifically for this collection. Its bridges and baseplate are crafted from Grade 5 titanium, offering a resilient architecture while showcasing exceptional finishing. A variable-geometry rotor made from 5N red gold ensures that winding efficiency is adapted to the wearer’s lifestyle, while the watch’s patented crown construction—disconnected from the movement—enhances durability. These technical details may sound utilitarian, but in Richard Mille’s hands, they are executed with a finesse that complements the watch’s curved silhouette, gemstone-set dials, and graceful proportions.
Above Richard Mille RM 74-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon in Gold Carbon TPT with open link bracelet
Richard Mille RM 74-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon in Gold Carbon TPT with open link bracelet
1 / 1
Meanwhile, the RM 74-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon reveals another facet of the brand’s feminine offering, particularly in two striking executions featuring unique materials: Gold Carbon TPT and Gold Quartz TPT. Gold Carbon TPT is a high-tech composite made up of approximately 600 layers of parallel filaments obtained by separating carbon fibres. Each layer, no more than 30 microns thick, is impregnated with a black matrix and stacked at 45-degree angles using a dedicated machine. Interleaved with sheets of 24-karat yellow gold leaf, the composition creates a rich visual contrast between carbon’s matte darkness and gold’s innate luminosity.
As gold is chemically inert, achieving a true fusion between the two materials posed a significant challenge—one that was overcome through the combined expertise of composite specialists at North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) and Richard Mille’s own engineers. The resulting composite is then cured at 120 Celsius under 6 bars of pressure in a kiln adapted from aeronautics before being precision-machined in-house. The final case shimmers with golden veins embedded within a carbon structure, capturing a tension between resilience and refinement that lies at the heart of the RM 74-02’s identity.
Above A sapphire crystal caseback on the RM 74-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon in Gold Carbon TPT reveals the CRMT5 calibre, an in-house automatic tourbillon movement
A sapphire crystal caseback on the RM 74-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon in Gold Carbon TPT reveals the CRMT5 calibre, an in-house automatic tourbillon movement
1 / 1
Equally captivating is the Gold Quartz TPT edition, which cloaks the tourbillon in an ethereal, radiant material that fuses modern technique with timeless elegance. Developed over several years with NTPT, this composite is formed by layering ultra-thin quartz fibres with delicate sheets of 22-karat 5N pink gold, then subjecting the material to the same high-pressure, high-temperature curing process. The outcome is a shimmering surface of striated translucence reminiscent of natural gemstones, where flashes of warm gold pulse beneath the mineral texture. The case itself is water-resistant to 50m, thanks to a tripartite construction sealed with two Nitrile O-rings, 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws, and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
Just as with the RM 07-01, the RM 74-02 is available with an open link bracelet that enhances its presence on the wrist while maintaining fluid integration with the case. The same refined detailing—contrasting textures, seamless ergonomics, and precisely executed finishing—makes the bracelet an extension of the watch’s complex yet elegant identity. It transforms the tourbillon into something not only mechanically fascinating but also artistically expressive, appealing to women who expect their timepieces to carry both substance and style.
Both the RM 07-01 and RM 74-02 speak to a nuanced understanding of what women want from a luxury timepiece today. These are not simply scaled-down men’s watches with a few diamonds sprinkled on top. They are robust, technically sophisticated, and architecturally distinct watches designed with the modern woman in mind.
Credits
Images: Richard Mille
Topics
Annabel Tan is the Editor of Watches and Jewellery at Tatler Singapore, where she covers all things luxury timepieces and fine jewellery across both print and digital platforms. She is also the Editor of Tatler GMT Singapore, a role that deepens her fascination with the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. Outside of work, she’s usually on the hunt for her next favourite watch that she can’t afford, planning her next beach getaway, or catching up on the latest Formula 1 race.
