Richard Mille has introduced four new vividly colorful variants of the RM 07-02 Automatic Sapphire. The RM 07-02 debuted in 2015 as a collection of luxury watches for women designed to showcase both exceptional craftsmanship and cutting-edge materials. It is part of the independent watchmaker’s gem-set sapphire series, which features transparent cases crafted from colored sapphire. This high-tech and labor-intensive material combines aesthetic beauty with extreme durability. The latest timepieces include two versions in lime green, one in fuchsia, and the first RM 07-02 in lilac.
It was in 2012 that Richard Mille became the first manufacturer to create a watch case made of sapphire crystal. Since then, the brand has become a master of this art, crafting exceptional pieces. Creating watch cases from sapphire crystal poses a formidable set of manufacturing hurdles that explain their rarity and high cost in luxury timepieces.
The material’s extreme hardness, while excellent for scratch resistance, demands specialized diamond-tipped tools and precise CNC machinery, resulting in a painstakingly slow production process where a single case can take days to complete.
The brittle nature of sapphire requires meticulous engineering to prevent cracking, particularly when creating complex geometries or integrating other watch components like crowns and casebacks. Combined with the expensive raw material costs, high failure rates during manufacturing, and the need for sophisticated quality control to detect microscopic flaws, these challenges make sapphire cases a testament to both horological ambition and manufacturing prowess.
The case of the RM 07-02 is crafted from sections of colored sapphire taken from a single block, making it extremely difficult to machine. Each case requires almost forty days of machining and finishing to meet the extremely high standards of Richard Mille. Every version showcases a distinct sapphire color, with the new lilac tone requiring extensive experimentation to perfect its unique shade. The stones are set with meticulous laser accuracy, while the gold prongs are carefully polished by hand for a flawless finish.
The dial elevates the gem setting to new artistic heights, orchestrating a dazzling array of precious stones in precise geometric patterns. The masterful composition interweaves diamonds with a spectrum of colored gems – from the deep blues of sapphires to the verdant gleam of tsavorites, the milky mystique of opals, and the rich earthen tones of malachite and chrysoprase. Orange spessartite and yellow sapphires add warm accents, while white agate provides a subtle contrast.
Each stone has been meticulously positioned to create a sophisticated interplay of color, texture, and light, with a distinctive central motif that anchors the entire design. The result is more than mere decoration – a miniature masterpiece that transforms the dial into a dynamic canvas of light and color.
Housed inside the tonneau-shaped case is the in-house skeletonized CRMA5 automatic movement that boasts a power reserve of 50 hours. The movement features a variable-geometry rotor that adjusts the winding according to the wearer’s activity. The baseplate and bridges are crafted in either red or white gold, depending on the model, and undergo microblasting and meticulous hand-chamfering. Furthermore, the baseplate is decorated and set with hundreds of diamonds. While the prices have not been disclosed, each version of the new RM 07-02 Automatic Sapphire will be limited to just seven examples.
