Richard Mille RM 56-01 Sapphire Crystal Tourbillon Watch

The 5-unit limited edition Richard Mille RM 56 split-seconds competition chronograph sapphire crystal watch, which has been unveiled during the year that has just ended, has now been taken one step further, reincarnated as the RM 56-01 Sapphire Crystal.

This staggering watch not only boasts with a crystal clear sapphire case, but also with sapphire crystal baseplate and movement bridges. Furthermore, it bears influence from the legendary RM 018 “Homage to Boucheron”, a wristwatch bestowed with sapphire crystal baseplate.

The movement of the RM 56-01 Sapphire Crystal Tourbillon timepiece helps display the hours and minutes alongside torque and power-reserve, indicators positioned at 11 o’clock and respectively 2 o’clock, alongside a function selector found at 4 o’clock. The sapphire crystal baseplate provides a stunning visual effect, being able to increase light penetration into the caliber.

Mille describes: “The caliber RM 56-01, made from sapphire crystal and titanium, is immune to temperature variations and wear, ensures excellent stability and offers exemplary chronometric performance.”

The case of the RM 56-01 comprises three machined parts, ground from a solid block of sapphire crystal – the caseband, the back bezel and front bezel. According to Mille, the operations require 40 days of painstaking work, 24 hours a day, and this is valid just for one case.

Furthermore, the RM 56-01 has had to be created with a specially developed machined, personalised for this version only. Stettler Sapphire AG of Lyss, Switzerland, is responsible for the machining of the sapphire crystal case – one of the most important sapphire crystal specialized brands in the world today. As a last minute detail – the case is water-resistant to as many as 30 meters.

As for the strapping of the RM 56-01, it was crafted from Aerospace nano, a material especially developed by Richard Mille in collaboration with Biwi SA. This unique material reportedly ensures unequaled transparency and strength, as Mille states. In addition, it is quite comfy to wear as well.