Richard Mille: RM 61-01 Ultimate Edition Yohan Blake

Unveiled in 2014, the RM 61-01 is a younger sibling of the tourbillon RM 59-01 worn by Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, a member of the Richard Mille family since 2012. This “Ultimate Edition” heralds the last issue of this model and its singular lines, this time in Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT.

For the RM 61-01 Ultimate Edition, TZP ceramic yields to Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT for the bezel and caseback, with the latter material also featured on the caseband. The many layers of silica-based Quartz TPT, no more than 45 microns thick, are interlaced with layers of Carbon TPT as they are stacked by an automatic compiling system that changes the orientation of the fibres by 45° between each layer. Heated to 120° at a pressure of 6 bars in an autoclave, the 600-layer composites are ready for machining at the brand’s factory. Milling and turning reveal random patterns in the Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT, making each piece absolutely unique. In addition to elongations between 2 and 5 o’clock which eliminate all possible rubbing against the sprinter’s wrist, the case sports a crown protector in Carbon TPT that ensures the crown is safe during sporting activities.

Boasting a highly skeletonised calibre crafted of PVD-treated grade 5 titanium, traversing balance bridges in black-galvanised and hand-painted grade 5 titanium and a balance wheel with variable inertia oscillating at a frequency of 4 Hz, the RM 61-01 ensures superlative performance thanks to a 55-hour power reserve and impact resistance tested for impacts of over 5,000 g’s.

This limited edition of 150 pieces brings to a close this model’s 6-year career. (Price €.155.310)