The new Richard Mille RM 72-01 ticks all the right boxes

The RM 72-01 Flyback Chronograph marks a new era of technical accomplishment for the brand

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A Richard Mille watch with black belts
(Image credit: richardmille.com)

Richard Mille’s unique amalgamations of sharp design ticks with advanced technology has long made its watches a favourite with both horologists and design buffs. The new RM 72-01 Flyback Chronograph succinctly unites both of these threads, weaving a fresh narrative.

The new watch was accompanied in its launch with a performance by choreographer Benjamin Millepied and composer Thomas Roussel, who interpreted the watch’s graceful character in Within, a dance performed in Joshua Tree – as we explore in greater detail here. This elegant introduction continues through to the watch itself, which juxtaposes more familiar design elements with wholly new features.

A watch by Richard Mille

(Image credit: richardmille.com)

The curve of the case, toughened with screws, remains, although a shift in the position of the subdials to one o’clock, five o’clock and nine o’clock brings new proportions and bold pops of colour to the face. It is a contemporary framing for the flying chronograph movement – the chronographs especially loved by pilots and motor racers due to their ability to easily record consecutive times without the need to press a button – which Richard Mille have produced entirely in-house for the first time.

Visually, the effect is striking, the strong architectural design codes synonymous with the brand reflected in the micro-blasted movement and gleaming hand-polished bridges. Available in titanium, red gold, black ceramic and white ceramic, each piece comes with a rubber bezel and strap in a pleasing clash of textures.

A watch by Richard Mille with black straps

(Image credit: richardmille.com)

INFORMATION
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Hannah Silver
Hannah Silver

Hannah Silver is a writer and editor with over 20 years of experience in journalism, spanning national newspapers and independent magazines. Currently Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*, she has overseen offbeat art trends and conducted in-depth profiles for print and digital, as well as writing and commissioning extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury since joining in 2019.