Richard Mille RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon Gold Quartz TPT®
A Closer Look at the Richard Mille RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT
Perhaps the greatest tribute to the RM 74 design is that the brand continues to find new ways to reinvent it.
By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large
One of the first questions most watch journalists ask themselves before reviewing a new watch is, “Who is this for?” With Richard Mille, there is usually more than one answer. Some people admire inventive designs or innovative calibres.
For these folks, wearing an RM on the wrist is an extension of their unique taste and character. We’re talking collectors like Pharrell Williams and Michelle Yeoh. And even if you don’t have millionaire money, you are still glad these unique timepieces exist.
On the other hand, some collectors clamor for an RM simply because they are so exclusive. This brings us to one of the brand’s latest pieces, the RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT.
Let’s take a look!
Cream of the Crop
Who is the target audience for the RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT? Not the demure, that’s for sure.
With its tonneau case with Quartz TPT components and skeletonized movement, the new RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT doesn’t look drastically different from other watches in the Richard Mille catalog, at least not superficially.
In photos, the creamy Quartz TPT coating looks a bit like frosting on a cake, but in person, this mix features swirls of 22k rose gold on the face and caseback. The case band is constructed of solid 18k rose gold. With a case measuring 34.4mm across,13.05mm thick, and 52.63mm lug-to-lug, that’s a significant chunk of gold.
The big story is how this particular snack is anchored to the wrist.
Straps Galore
It is rare for a watch’s straps to become the centerpiece of a review. Still, one of the most interesting details about the RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT is how the wearer can control exactly how flashy they want this watch to look via its strap options.
Options include a white rubber strap with a Velcro closure (sporty), a smooth black rubber strap with a folding clasp (understated), or a rose gold Cuban bracelet (over-the-top).
Float On
Is it too over-the-top? If you look at how certain technocrats have started sporting ropey gold chains, then no. Personal style in the C-Suite has changed, and Richard Mille has read the room.
However, established fans of haute horology will also appreciate that the design of the RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT builds out from its in-house CRMT5 movement.
The skeletonized dial allows one to observe details like the hand-polished PVD-coated rose-gold flange surrounding the dial. A peek through a curved sapphire crystal reveals even more rose gold in the form of the bridges that hold the flying Tourbillon in place.
The whole watch is, in a way, one big Easter egg with special treats, such as a variable inertia balance, variable-geometry rotor, special gear teeth profile, and a rotating barrel that provides 50 hours of power reserve.
An adjustable rotor also allows the watch to be tailored to the wearer’s activity level, which means that it will wind faster or slower, depending on how it’s set.
Pricing & Availability
So, who is the RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon in Gold Quartz TPT for? Well, it’s for anyone who can afford the $603,000 to $660,000 price tag. Meanwhile, the rest of us can just be glad that it exists. For more information, check out the Richard Mille website.
