In the world of haute horology, the split-seconds chronograph holds a special place. It features not one but two central chronograph seconds hands that can be started simultaneously and stopped individually in order to time two separate events within the same sequence – such as laps during a race or two individual competitors crossing the line. Compared to a standard chronograph this extra utility and mechanical complexity makes the split-seconds chrono one of the most prestigious sports complications around. And now Richard Mille have released their latest take on it with the RM 65-01 Split-Seconds Chronograph in pastel blue and dark yellow Quartz TPT.
Off the bat, these might be my favourite watches from Richard Mille so far this year. Which makes sense because they are simply colourful versions of the grey Quartz TPT edition that was my favourite from last year. With their 44.5m x 49.94mm x 16.1mm Quartz TPT cases now rendered in pastel blue and vibrant yellow.
The light tone of the RM 65-01 pastel blue edition is very attractive, like the sky. Plus, paired with the dark blue crown protector and dial accents as well as the orange pushers and chronograph hands, there is a strong resemblance to a certain iconic motor racing livery that rose to prominence in the 60s and 70s. In contrast, the dark yellow edition is a dark shade of canary with light blue accents. It has less of a connection to sport but feels bright and ready for summer. As to the importance of them being made from Quartz TPT, you can read all about the material here.
That brings us to the mechanics of the watch, which are the same as the existing RM 65-01 Split-Seconds Chronographs. It houses the RMAC4 automatic movement, which sports a 60-hour power reserve and is equipped with a split-seconds chronograph, 30-minute timer, 12-hour timer, small seconds, date and function selector – all of which can be viewed through the partially skeletonised display.
While these new editions of the RM 65-01 Split-Seconds Chronograph in pastel blue and dark yellow ultimately boil down to being new colourways in a well established collection, I think the combination of sporty designs and bright colours is the perfect example of what RM does well. Summer and sport are both playful concepts so it feels appropriate for a sports watch as insane as this one to lean into that. While at time of writing we don’t know the exact price, based on previous models it’s safe to assume at least six figures in the region of £300,000.
Price and Specs:
More details at Richard Mille.
