Quartz TPT for the watch case.

Richard Mille's watch boasts an array of interesting functions matched with an impressive appearance, which invites you to take a closer look at both the aesthetics and technology. The company beats us to it by providing their own detailed description of Richard Mille's innovations in the field of materials.

This fall, the company presented a new version of their RM 21-02 model: the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne now comes in a black-and-white color scheme. The caseback and bezel are made of white Quartz TPT.

The white quartz is paired with black Carbon TPT on the front. These two multi-layer materials are made by combining parallel filaments obtained by dividing carbon fiber or silica threads.

The layers are impregnated with resin matrices, woven on a special machine that modifies the direction of the weft, and then the materials are heated to a temperature of 120 °C at a pressure of 6 bars.

This model doesn't have a typical caseband — the bezel and caseback are attached by pillars made of Carbon TRT. Another very important innovative material for Richard Mille is a nickel-chromium-aluminum-iron alloy called HAYNES 214, developed for use at temperatures above 955°C.

This type of alloy is typically used to make the trays and fixtures that hold pottery during firing, in heat treating electronic devices, and technical grade ceramics. In this novelty, HAYNES 214 has been used to create the movement's honeycombed baseplate, where the core is made of Carbon TRT.

The movement's bridges are made of Grade 5 titanium. Needless to say, Richard Mille's skeletonized baseplate and bridges have been subjected to validation tests with weights. The high-tech materials used in this novelty support the brand's typical functions, including torque and power-reserve indicators.