The Hourstriker Verdict
For 2026 Richard Mille has refreshed their RM 07-01 coloured ceramics collection with a trio of new watches. The new colors are Blush Pink, Powder Blue and Lavender Pink created out of Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (TZP) ceramic. For Richard Mille to be able to then set diamonds into the TZP ceramic, with a 1,400 Vickers hardness, is a huge achievement in itself. The watches are powered by an in-house skeletonized automatic movement with a variable-geometry rotor. Finally, the 80s inspired designs on the dial really go harmoniously with the hues of the ceramic cases.
— Peter, Editor-in-Chief
The Richard Mille RM 07-01 Coloured Ceramics 2026 collection represents the final production run of a specific design architecture initiated by the brand five years prior. This capsule collection utilizes a highly saturated color palette drawing direct influence from the 1980s Memphis Group design movement, characterized by high-contrast geometric shapes and unorthodox material combinations. Production is strictly capped at 50 pieces for each of the three colorways: Blush Pink, Powder Blue, and Lavender Pink. The core objective of this release is the integration of traditional gem-setting techniques into highly technical composite materials, specifically Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (TZP) ceramic. By applying these traditional haute joaillerie practices to modern industrial materials, the brand concludes this specific series of the RM 07-01. The utilization of these vivid colors marks a stark contrast to the standard carbon and titanium models typically associated with the manufacturer's core lineup.
Setting precious stones into TZP ceramic requires specialized tooling and significant production time due to the material's inherent physical properties. The ceramic registers a hardness of 1,400 Vickers, vastly exceeding the hardness of standard precious metals typically used for gem-setting. To achieve the mitraillage aesthetic seen on the bezels, operators must use diamond-tipped milling tools to create the precise cavities required for the stones. Once the ceramic is prepared, white gold prongs are inserted by hand to secure the diamonds directly to the TZP surface. This process eliminates the need for separate metal bezels, allowing the stones to sit flush against the matte ceramic finish. The resulting contrast highlights the light-absorbing qualities of the microblasted ceramic against the refractive properties of the brilliant-cut diamonds.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The Case and Dial
The tripartite case of the RM 07-01 measures 31.40mm in width, 45.23mm lug-to-lug, and 11.85mm in thickness. The front and rear bezels are machined entirely from TZP ceramic, a biocompatible compound consisting of over 95 percent zirconia. This specific composition yields a density of approximately 6 g/cm3, reducing the overall weight of the watch on the wrist while providing a toughness rating superior to that of standard sapphire crystal. The central caseband is constructed from microblasted white gold, providing a structural anchor for the ceramic bezels and housing the mechanical movement. The pillars of the caseband are hand-polished, offering a contrasting finish against the microblasted recesses. The entire assembly is secured by 12 grade 5 titanium spline screws and 316L stainless steel abrasion-resistant washers. Two nitrile O-ring seals ensure a water resistance rating of 50 meters, protecting the movement from basic moisture exposure.
Each of the three references employs a distinct colorway and specific gemstone pairing across the case and dial components. The Blush Pink reference features diamonds paired with yellow and blue sapphires along the bezel and the white gold caseband. The Powder Blue variant incorporates diamonds alongside pink sapphires and green tsavorites. The Lavender Pink model utilizes a combination of diamonds, orange sapphires, and rubies. The primary crown, located at the three o'clock position, features a sculpted core capped with a rubber grip ring that matches the dominant accent color of the respective reference. The crown on the Blush Pink is banded in yellow, the Powder Blue utilizes a teal grip, and the Lavender Pink features a bright orange ring.
The dial architecture relies on a multi-layered construction built upon a base of rhodium-plated 5N red gold treated with a grey PVD coating. The layout is highly asymmetrical, incorporating various geometric segments to display the hours and minutes without traditional indices. These decorative elements include laser-cut rubber appliqués, micro-machined ceramic details, and diamond-set components secured within localized white gold inserts. A prominent central sector features traditional guillochage executed on a manual rose engine. This technique removes precise, millimetric amounts of material to create a series of fine, striated curves that interact dynamically with ambient light. The hands are polished and partially filled with luminescent material for low-light legibility. A painted grade 5 titanium inner flange surrounds the perimeter, housing the minute track and framing the skeletonized movement beneath the decorative plates.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The Movement
The watch is powered by the in-house Calibre CRMA2, an automatic skeletonized movement tailored specifically for the RM 07-01 case proportions. The movement dimensions are 29.90mm by 22.00mm, with a total thickness of 4.92mm. Both the baseplate and the supporting bridges are manufactured from grade 5 titanium, an alloy heavily utilized in aerospace engineering due to its high strength-to-weight ratio. The titanium components are microblasted and treated with electroplasma to increase surface rigidity and ensure the precise flatness required for the gear train to function without friction anomalies. This skeletonized architecture is subjected to extensive validation testing to confirm structural integrity despite the significant reduction in mass. The mechanics are visible through the anti-reflective sapphire crystals on both the dial side and the 0.95mm thick exhibition caseback.
Energy generation is managed by a variable-geometry rotor constructed with a 5N red gold edge ring and a heavy metal weight segment. This system rotates on highly durable ceramic ball bearings utilizing a bidirectional OneWay winding mechanism. The geometry of the rotor can be adjusted by a watchmaker via two sliding weights secured by titanium spline screws. This adjustment allows the winding efficiency to be customized based on the physical activity level of the primary wearer, preventing the mainspring from overwinding during high exertion. The movement utilizes a free-sprung balance wheel made of CuBe with four arms and four setting screws. By eliminating the traditional regulator index, this variable inertia system provides superior chronometric stability when subjected to mechanical shocks or environmental vibrations. The escapement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, supported by 25 jewels and an Incabloc shock protection system.
Power delivery is optimized through the implementation of a fast-rotating barrel, which completes a full revolution every 5 hours rather than the industry standard of 7.5 hours. This accelerated rotation significantly diminishes periodic internal mainspring adhesion, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the power transfer. The result is a highly stabilized mainspring delta curve, yielding a consistent 50-hour power reserve with minimal variance in torque delivery as the spring unwinds. Furthermore, the entire going train utilizes a specialized gear teeth profile with a pressure angle of 20 degrees. This specific geometry equalizes minor center-distance discrepancies caused by thermal expansion, ensuring excellent torque transmission to the balance wheel under varying environmental conditions. The movement finishing includes microblasted sinks, burnished sections, lapped and polished ends on the profile-turning, and rhodium-plated wheels featuring concave chamfering executed with diamond tools.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The Strap
The collection utilizes integrated rubber straps that directly complement the vivid color palettes of the ceramic cases. The Blush Pink reference is mounted on a high-saturation orange strap, the Powder Blue is paired with a bright yellow strap, and the Lavender Pink features a contrasting teal green strap. The straps integrate seamlessly into the tripartite case construction, eliminating the traditional lug gap. This direct mounting system forces the strap to follow the natural curvature of the tonneau case, improving the ergonomic fit on narrower wrists.
The specific rubber compound selected by the manufacturer is engineered for high resistance to UV degradation and extreme temperature fluctuations. The strap tapers slightly from the case to the closure mechanism, distributing the mass of the gold and ceramic components evenly to prevent top-heaviness. Fastening is handled by the brand's standard hardware, securely locking the timepiece in place during daily wear. The vibrant tones of the rubber provide a distinct visual anchor that grounds the highly complex, gem-set cases.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
Pricing and Availability
The 2026 RM 07-01 Coloured Ceramics collection is strictly limited in production to maintain market scarcity. Each of the three colorways—Blush Pink, Powder Blue, and Lavender Pink—is capped at 50 pieces globally. This results in a total production run of 150 units for the entire final chapter collection. Allocation of these references is managed entirely through the manufacturer's network of corporate boutiques, prioritizing established clients within their internal registry.
Official retail pricing is provided strictly upon request from the manufacturer or authorized boutique personnel. This protocol is standard practice for the brand's highly limited, gem-set references that utilize advanced composite machining. Given the integration of TZP ceramic, extensive hand-executed diamond setting, and the complex mechanical architecture of the CRMA2 calibre, these models occupy a premium tier within the existing RM 07-01 product matrix. The conclusion of this design series marks the final opportunity for clients to acquire this specific geometric aesthetic directly from the manufacturer.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
Technical Specifications
Case: 31.40 x 45.23 x 11.85 mm; TZP ceramic bezels (Blush Pink, Lavender Pink, or Powder Blue); microblasted white gold caseband with gem-setting; 50m water resistance.
Movement: In-house Calibre CRMA2; automatic winding; skeletonized grade 5 titanium baseplate and bridges; variable-geometry rotor; 4Hz (28,800 vph); 50-hour power reserve.
Dial: Rhodium-plated 5N red gold base with grey PVD; geometric motifs featuring laser-cut rubber, TZP ceramic, diamond-set white gold inserts, and manual rose engine guillochage.
Strap: Integrated color-matched rubber (Orange, Yellow, or Teal green).
Price: Price upon request.
Reference Number: RM 07-01 Coloured Ceramics 2026.
Notes: Limited to 50 pieces per colorway.