Richard Mille RM 74-02 Tourbillon featuring a case mixed out of carbon TPT and gold

Singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams is wearing a 34mm Richard Mille RM 74-02 Tourbillon featuring a case mixed out of carbon TPT and gold, surrounding a skeleton dial with an automatic tourbillon movement on an open-link bracelet.

The case material, which took four years to develop, features 3N gold carbon TPT, which is a high-tech material comprising around 600 layers of parallel filaments obtained by separating out carbon fibers.

Overall Watch Description

Richard Mille starts when timepieces become more than just timepieces. With the RM 74-02 automated tourbillons, the autonomous watchmaker exhibits this bold and adventurous approach. The tonneau covers strong forms and posturing mechanical movements leave no mistake about their origin. They tell all about Richard Mille’s personality.

The piece’s conception, form, and workmanship show a comprehensive approach to the mechanism, casing, and dial. Hence, everything has been built to the most exacting specs possible. The enormous case proportions of 52.63mm by 34.40mm and the mesmerizing one-minute tourbillon positioned in a skeletonized frame at 6 o’clock make the timepiece stand out.

A black matrix is infused into the layers, which are no more than 30 microns in thickness. They’re then put together using a special machine that stacks the layers, rotating the fibers 45 degrees between layers and contrasting them using 24K gold leaf strands.

Two Nitrile O-ring seals provide the tripartite casing’s water resistance to 50 meters. The case is put together with 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws as well as 316 L stainless steel abrasion-resistant seals.

Gold Carbon TPT (3N), a component peculiar to Richard Mille in watchmaking, has been added to the RM 74-02. It is a high-tech component made up of 600 sheets of parallel threads separated from carbon fibers.

The technological hurdle this time was merging a single component with gold leaf. This is a watchmaking constituent whose resistance is only equaled by its lightness, and it creates a stunning contrast among carbon’s matte black and gold halo. The baseplate and the red-gold caseband with refined pillars, and the crown ringed with yellow gold, are shot with strands of 24K yellow gold.

The dual cores of the Richard Mille RM 74-02 Tourbillon model are the in-house CRMT5 caliber. PVD and electro plasma-treated 5^th-grade titanium were used for the base plate as well as bridges. The steady energy supply from the fast-winding barrels is carefully distributed through the involute pattern gear teeth. This provides 50 hours of mechanic ballet, beating to the pulse of a tourbillon regulator with a free-sprung balance wheel. The movements are powered by a variable-geometry rotor, which allows the timepiece and its winding to be customized to the owner’s preferences.

The RM 74-02’s typically slim lines highlight the tourbillons, which are magnificently placed at 6 o’clock inside the frames. The curved festoon design on the flange showcases the movement of the wristwatch. Likewise, the gentle accents of hand-finishing polish the subtle elements of the piece, perfectly marrying elegance with manufacturing science.

In addition, the Richard Mille RM 74-02 Tourbillon is a spectacular show-stopper, with a red-gold casing band and a red and yellow gold baseplate. Furthermore, this beguiling bezel is exceptionally light and corrosion-resistant.

Retail price: 620,000.00 USD