Cover The new Richard Mille RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat embraces raw aesthetics and architectural precision, echoing the bold lines of Brutalist design
The new Richard Mille RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat embraces raw aesthetics and architectural precision, echoing the bold lines of Brutalist design
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Embodying the raw aesthetics and functional ethos of Brutalist architecture, the Richard Mille RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat reimagines watchmaking as a structured labyrinth of interwoven forms, optical illusions, and material authenticity
Brutalist design, with its raw concrete aesthetics, sharp geometric lines, and uncompromising emphasis on material authenticity, has long fascinated architects and designers. Emerging in the mid-20th century, this architectural movement prioritises function over ornamentation, revealing the beauty of structure and engineering.
In horology, referencing Brutalism offers a bold statement—eschewing unnecessary embellishments in favour of a pure, unfiltered design that highlights the mechanical and material essence of the watch itself.
Read more: Sapphire Alchemy: How Richard Mille perfected the art of coloured sapphire
Above The RM 16-02’s compact, extra-flat case is designed for anyone who appreciates form, function, and fearless design
The RM 16-02’s compact, extra-flat case is designed for anyone who appreciates form, function, and fearless design
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Richard Mille’s latest timepiece, the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat, embodies these Brutalist principles, embracing a raw, architectural aesthetic that resonates with the movement's stark yet structured ethos. Stripped of artifice, the watch's intricate structure is reminiscent of a labyrinth, where interlaced forms and optical illusions converge to create an artistic and mechanical marvel.
Above he RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat is available in Terracotta Quartz TPT
Above The RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat is available in grade 5 titanium
he RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat is available in Terracotta Quartz TPT
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Richard Mille's innovation shines in the introduction of Terracotta Quartz TPT, a warm, earthy hue that adds a bold yet feminine flourish to the collection. Achieving this singular shade required a Herculean effort: silica threads, each just 45 microns thick, were dyed, layered at 45 degrees angles, and fused under intense heat and pressure.
Paired with a creamy white Quartz TPT caseband, the terracotta variant balances rugged texture with refined elegance. Notably, the two-year development process faced staggering rejection rates, underscoring the brand's relentless pursuit of perfection.
See also: Engineered for performance: The Richard Mille RM 65-01 McLaren W1
Above The RM 16-02’s CRMA9 movement, with its 67 chamfered apertures, transforms transparency into a striking visual experience
The RM 16-02’s CRMA9 movement, with its 67 chamfered apertures, transforms transparency into a striking visual experience
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At the heart of the RM 16-02 lies the CRMA9, Richard Mille's 15th in-house movement and a feat of micro-engineering. The skeletonised grade 5 titanium baseplate, subjected to over two hours of milling per plate and countless manual finishes, reveals a mesmerising network of 67 chamfered apertures.
This intricate latticework not only emphasises lightness but also showcases the movement's technical rigour—tested for a decade against shocks and ageing. The platinum oscillating weight, fitted with titanium inertia blocks, ensures a 50-hour power reserve, while ceramic ball bearings enhance efficiency. A triumph of transparency, the CRMA9 turns mechanics into art.
Don’t miss: Richard Mille crafts the ultimate lightweight tourbillon watch for Rafael Nadal
With its compact 36 x 45.65 mm case—10 per cent smaller than its predecessor—the RM 16-02 defies gendered expectations. The extra-flat profile and ergonomic curves ensure a universal fit, while the terracotta variant's soft warmth and the titanium model's industrial edge cater to diverse tastes. Whether adorned with a suit or a cocktail dress, this watch speaks a language of understated confidence, appealing to those who value both form and function.
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Credits
Images: Richard Mille
Sim Wie Boon is the general manager of Tatler Malaysia. Previously the print and digital editor, Sim hails from the land of the hornbills, Sarawak. Sim is now based in Kuala Lumpur and brings more than a decade of experience in the media industry as a journalist and broadcast producer.
As a self-proclaimed geriatric millennial, he appreciates the finer things in life, from savouring a sip of single malt whisky to relishing in the deliciousness of char siew. While reminiscing about the indie-sleaze era, Sim now finds solace in the soothing tunes of ambient music, staying active through running and occasionally succumbing to the addictive world of doom scrolling.
Follow him on Instagram or Threads at @simwb
