Richard Mille’s Newest Watch Isn’t What You Expect

Richard Mille just added a new circular stunner to its lineup.

The Swiss company, known for its highly complicated tonneau-shaped timepieces, has unveiled a model with an uncharacteristically round case. The new RM 33-03 takes design cues from the discontinued RM 33-02, but is equipped with a fresh skeletonized movement.

The new automatic RMXP3 calibre is just 3.28 mm; that slim profile was made possible by the positioning of its off-center monobloc micro rotor, which is crafted from platinum. The baseplate and bridges, meanwhile, have both been treated with Titalyt and black PVD coatings. Surrounding the RMXPS calibre is a black PVD-treated titanium date disc, which you can catch a glimpse of through the aperture’s white-hued field at 5 o’clock. Adding to the 3-D effect of the watch, numerals in 18-karat 5N red gold are mounted on titanium rails above the movement. In a different move for Richard Mille, the small-seconds display is placed at 6 o’clock.

“The idea is to accentuate the volumes within the calibre,” RM’s creation and development director Cécile Guenat said in a press statement. “Meanwhile, the empty and full spaces created by the movement’s high degree of skeletonization also contribute to a shadow and light mood.”

The RM 33-03 Automatic is available in two iterations: one done up in titanium, the other in the brand’s signature carbon TPT with a 5N red-gold caseband. Both options are 41.7 mm in diameter and 9.7 mm thick, with the carbon TPT iteration priced at about $180,000 (145,000 Swiss francs) and the titanium priced around $143,000 (115,000 Swiss francs).

Richard Mille has dropped quite a few new timepieces as of late. The brand teamed up with F1 star Charles Leclerc on a new RM 72-01, showcasing red-and-white hues that pay homage to the driver’s hometown of Monaco. RM also tapped legendary basketballer LeBron James to collab on a limited-edition timepiece inspired by the Los Angeles Lakers. The brand has even applied its watchmaking skills to a new domain: It crafted a limited-edition motorcycle alongside the folks at Brough Superior.