Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon watch

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Introducing the Richard Mille RM 41-01 Tourbillon watch, a football timepiece crafted in the brand’s signature style: a masterpiece.

Richard Mille never cuts corners, so while you can buy football timepieces from other brands, you simply won’t find anything comparable to this one.

Many football timepieces exist, but Richard Mille’s (or should it be called a football timepiece? The brand uses different names depending on the market for which the press release is published) is truly unique. While the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this sporty complication is Omega’s classic football chronograph, this new Richard Mille timepiece continues RM’s signature style: ultimate luxury, exquisite craftsmanship, and high-tech materials. Only the world’s luckiest referees and coaches will be able to wear this best fake watch (though I suspect most owners will be watching matches from luxury boxes).

The core function of this football timepiece is: to record the duration of two 45-minute halves of a football match in a single timepiece. Additional features include recording the intervals between halves or extra time (as Hublot does). Typically, mechanical watches used for recording match time don’t feature a tourbillon, a rotating display for showing match stages, or a mechanical counter for recording scores. Furthermore, this watch boasts RM’s signature TPT case (available in carmine basalt and deep blue quartz), a skeletonized dial, and numerous other exquisite watchmaking techniques, making it a masterpiece of Richard Mille. The TPT material itself is also noteworthy, as the Swiss company North Thin Ply Technology, which produces it, is the first to use basalt to create TPT, stacking 40-micron-thick basalt fibers at 45° intervals to create a wood-grain-like texture.

Let’s first look at the sports-related complications. The new RM41-01 movement (developed in collaboration with Audemars Piguet over five years) not only features a flyback chronograph and tourbillon but also a central minute counter (one of my favorite display methods). Starting at 9 o’clock, you’ll see a match time indicator. Each time the chronograph is reset, this indicator rotates sequentially from the first half-second to the second half-second, then back to the first half-second and the second half-second again. The function indicator window at 4 o’clock remains visible, allowing you to see whether the manual-winding movement is in neutral, winding, or time setting mode.

Once the chronograph is activated, you can track the running seconds. The outer edge of the dial displays the elapsed minutes (up to 45 minutes) and extra time. If the match goes into extra time, a separate 15-minute mark will be displayed to track the extra time duration.

For better time management, chronograph buttons are located on the left side of the dial (Destro side). The right-side buttons control the final sports complication: the score display. You can track the home team’s (above) and away team’s (below) scores on the horizontal scale of the dial. Each button press represents a goal (if pressed too far, you need to restart). This is a simple and practical counter (and for a watch worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, its practicality is quite good). Oh, and it also features a power reserve indicator.

The watch’s functionality is impressive in itself, reflecting exquisite watchmaking craftsmanship. The movement is crafted from grade 5 titanium with a micro-blasted finish and boasts several other features. The watch features a Glucydur alloy balance wheel (double-arm, four screws, moment of inertia 11.5 mg•cm², amplitude 53°—not top-tier specifications, but the brand doesn’t shy away from acknowledging them), paired with an Elinvar alloy hairspring, and possesses all the shock resistance required for an RM movement (underwent 120 internal tests, up to 5,000G), as well as the antimagnetic properties provided by the brand’s exclusive nickel-free Chronifer mainspring barrel. The watch employs a double column wheel design (the brand claims this is an unprecedented innovation in flyback chronographs and is patented). One column wheel starts and stops the timing, while the other handles the flyback and reset. https://www.grand-watch.co

The mainspring barrel (providing a 70-hour power reserve) rotates faster, reducing the periodic sticking within the mainspring and thus optimizing the power curve, allowing the watch to maintain ample power while keeping more accurate time. Furthermore, the mainspring barrel pawls feature a progressive rebound function, improving winding efficiency (power absorption), especially in the initial stages of winding.

In addition, the watch’s appearance is stunning, consistently showcasing the essence of Richard Mille watches. Indeed, given its rich functionality, its size is also quite considerable, with a tonneau-shaped case measuring 43.24 mm long, 49.65 mm wide, and 16.08 mm thick.

A friend told me he dislikes Richard Mille watches simply because he can’t afford them, and I think that’s a valid point. Personally, I really love the brand. Disdain for Richard Mille based on size, price, or rarity (or even envy) is understandable, but honestly, if you don’t respect Richard Mille’s watchmaking expertise, you’re just fooling yourself. This is an incredibly cool and technologically advanced watch, even though it’s essentially an over-designed version of an existing model. It perfectly illustrates the old adage: since nobody needs a mechanical watch, why not push the concept to its limits? fashion luxury watches

I also appreciate the photos provided by RM through North Thin Ply Technology, which give us a deep dive into the production process of their new basalt-colored TPT strap. Yes, in a way, it’s a new color for TPT material, but they couldn’t simply dye existing materials. Using basalt requires a change in manufacturing methods because carbon fiber TPT and quartz TPT have different layer thicknesses. Would I buy this watch? Would you? Probably not. But sometimes, simply appreciating its exquisite craftsmanship is enough.

Basic Information

Brand: Richard Mille

Model: RM 41-01 Tourbillon Soccer

Diameter: 43.23 mm x 49.65 mm

Thickness: 16.08 mm
Case Material: Red Carmine Basalt TPT® or Dark Blue Quartz TPT®, with a micro-blasted and satin-finished titanium bezel coated with a black finish

Dial Color: Satin-finished and micro-blasted Grade 5 titanium, hand-polished and beveled

Markings: Printed and inlaid

Luminous Material: Hands and some markers

Water Resistance: 50 meters

Strap/Bracelet: Rubber strap with folding clasp

Sports

Movement: RM41-01

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, central minute and second flyback chronograph, power reserve indicator, function indicators, mechanical target counter, race time indicator

Diameter: 32 mm x 30.4 mm

Thickness: 10.23 mm

Power Reserve: 70 hours
Winding method: Manual
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour
Jewel count: 51
Observatory certification: No
Other details: Tourbillon diameter 12.4 mm, balance wheel diameter 9 mm; Glucydur® alloy balance wheel, four adjusting screws on two arms, moment of inertia 11.5 mg/cm², amplitude 53°; Elinvar alloy hairspring; nickel-free Chronifer mainspring barrel shaft, KIF Elastor KE 160 B28 shock absorber