In the sphere of contemporary watchmaking, few names provoke as much discussion and command as much attention as Richard Mille. The brand has carved out a unique identity by shattering conventional norms, prioritizing futuristic materials, ergonomic design, and extreme technical innovation. The Richard Mille RM 63-02 Automatic Worldtimer is a direct product of this philosophy, an instrument designed for global travel that re-engineers a classic complication to align with the brand’s forward-thinking principles. It presents a solution for the frequent traveler, not by adding complexity, but by cleverly concealing it behind an interface of remarkable simplicity.
The history of the Richard Mille brand, though relatively short, is dense with horological breakthroughs. Since its founding in 2001, the company has operated with a singular vision: to create "a racing machine on the wrist." This ethos is not merely a marketing slogan but the guiding principle behind every aspect of their timepieces. Drawing inspiration from the high-performance worlds of Formula 1 racing and aerospace engineering, Richard Mille pioneered the use of materials previously unseen in watchmaking, such as carbon nanofiber, ARCAP, and grade 5 titanium, choosing them for their exceptional properties of lightness, rigidity, and resistance to thermal stress. This dedication to performance over tradition has resulted in watches that are as robust as they are visually striking, instantly recognizable for their tonneau-shaped cases and extensively skeletonized movements that expose the intricate mechanics within.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The worldtimer is a complication with a rich history, designed to display the time in multiple cities around the globe simultaneously. Traditionally, this function is operated through a series of pushers or an auxiliary crown that adjusts the city ring and the 24-hour display. While effective, this method can sometimes feel disconnected from the primary interface of the watch. Richard Mille approached this challenge by fundamentally rethinking the user experience. The engineers and case designers collaborated to integrate the worldtimer adjustment directly into the most tactile part of the watch: the bezel. This decision transforms the act of changing time zones from a secondary function into a primary, intuitive interaction.
The most defining feature of the RM 63-02 is this innovative, bezel-controlled time zone adjustment. The micro-blasted 5N red gold bezel is mounted on a system of ball bearings, allowing it to rotate smoothly and precisely in both directions. A simple twist of this bezel allows the wearer to align their desired city name with the 12 o’clock position. This physical action is directly linked to the movement; an integrated wheel within the bezel mechanism engages with the hour wheel, instantly updating the local time displayed by the central hands. Simultaneously, the 24-hour disc, which indicates the time for all 23 other cities listed, adjusts accordingly, providing an immediate and comprehensive overview of global time.
Visually, the watch is a study in material contrast and mechanical transparency. The substantial 47mm round case is constructed from three main parts, a complex assembly requiring nearly 200 components. The front bezel and the caseback are crafted from satin-finished 5N red gold, with meticulously polished bevels that catch the light and define the case’s geometry. This warm, luxurious material is juxtaposed with a caseband milled from grade 5 titanium. The vertical satin brushing on the titanium caseband provides a cool, technical counterpoint to the gold, while also reducing the overall weight of the watch for improved comfort. A bold, red crown protector adds a flash of color and an asymmetrical design cue that is characteristic of the brand's sporting heritage.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The dial is not a dial in the traditional sense, but rather a multi-layered stage for the mechanical artistry of the Calibre CRMA4. A sapphire crystal disc, just 0.40 mm thick and treated with anti-glare coating on both sides, allows an unobstructed view into the movement’s depths. Dominating the upper portion of the view is a massive, circular-brushed bridge with a black rhodium coating, which serves as a frame for the visible gears of the worldtimer mechanism. At the 12 o’clock position, an oversize date display is presented through a large horizontal aperture. This function utilizes two skeletonized titanium discs, a design choice that maintains the lightweight and transparent aesthetic of the entire timepiece.
Legibility is paramount in a travel watch, and the RM 63-02 addresses this with a clear and effective layout. An inner flange, graduated with 24-hour markers, rotates to show the time in the other world cities. This disc is rendered in two tones, a subtle rose and a rich burgundy, to provide a clear distinction between day and night hours across the globe. The central hour and minute hands are partially skeletonized and filled with luminous material for readability in low-light conditions, while the city names on the bezel are printed in a crisp, modern font. The overall impression is one of immense complexity made perfectly legible through thoughtful design.
At the core of the RM 63-02 is the in-house Calibre CRMA4, an automatic movement developed entirely by Richard Mille. The foundation of this caliber is a skeletonized baseplate and bridges crafted from grade 5 titanium. This alloy of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium is chosen for its superior rigidity and corrosion resistance. The components are micro-blasted and receive an electroplasma treatment, which further hardens the surface and ensures the precise flatness required for the flawless operation of the gear train. This commitment to structural integrity is a hallmark of the brand, with every component subjected to extensive validation tests to optimize its resistance and performance.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The movement’s architecture incorporates a function selector, a signature Richard Mille complication. Actuated by a pusher at 4 o’clock, this mechanism allows the user to cycle between Neutral (N), Winding (W), and Hand-Setting (H) functions, much like a car's gearbox. An indicator within a small aperture at 4 o’clock clearly displays the selected mode. This system is not merely for convenience; it disengages the winding stem from the movement in the neutral and winding positions, protecting the delicate keyless works from potential damage caused by over-manipulation of the crown.
To ensure chronometric performance, the CRMA4 is equipped with a free-sprung balance with variable inertia. This advanced regulating organ eliminates the traditional regulator index, which can be susceptible to positional errors and shocks. Instead, accuracy is adjusted by four small weights directly on the balance wheel itself, a method that provides greater stability and more repeatable results over time. The balance oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), a modern standard that offers a good compromise between precision and durability.
Powering the watch is a fast-rotating barrel, which completes a full revolution in 5 hours instead of the more common 7.5 hours. This design improves the performance of the mainspring by reducing the phenomenon of internal adhesion, leading to a more consistent delivery of torque throughout the power reserve. This results in a more stable "delta curve," ensuring that the watch's accuracy remains high whether it is fully wound or nearing the end of its approximately 50-hour power reserve.
The efficient transmission of this energy through the movement is further optimized by the use of a special gear teeth profile throughout the entire going train. The wheels employ a 20-degree pressure angle, an engineering detail that helps to equalize any microscopic discrepancies between the wheel centers that might arise from temperature changes or the stresses of daily wear. This promotes an exceptionally smooth and efficient transfer of torque to the balance wheel, directly contributing to the watch’s excellent timekeeping characteristics.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The winding of the mainspring is handled by a bidirectional automatic rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. This component is itself a work of art, crafted from both 5N red gold for the outer weight and grade 5 titanium for the central arms. Its heavily skeletonized design is not just for aesthetics; it allows for a clear view of the movement architecture behind it while ensuring efficient winding with the wearer’s every movement. The caseback itself is secured with 12 grade 5 titanium spline screws, a type of screw that allows for very precise torque application during assembly and disassembly, preventing damage and ensuring a secure seal.
The level of finishing applied to every single component of the Calibre CRMA4 is exceptional. The bridges feature micro-blasted surfaces contrasted with hand-polished and chamfered edges (anglage). Steel parts are satin-finished, sinks are polished, and even the extremities of the pivots are burnished to a high shine. The wheels are rhodium-plated and feature diamond-polished angles and circular-finished faces. These meticulous details, most of which are hidden from view, are a testament to the brand's adherence to the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking, where the beauty of the mechanism is as important as its function.
The case construction is a feat of micro-engineering. The three-part structure is designed to be both robust and comfortable. The multi-radius milling of the caseback allows it to curve gently and sit more naturally on the wrist, a subtle ergonomic feature that makes a significant difference in the wearability of a 47mm watch. Water resistance is rated to 30 meters, ensured by two Nitrile O-ring seals, a rating that is more than sufficient for a travel watch not intended for diving. Verifying this seal was part of the complication's rigorous testing, which included over 5,000 full rotations of the bezel.
The integrated strap is made of a clean, bright white rubber that complements the red gold and titanium case. It is secured to the case with specially designed screws, ensuring a seamless and secure fit. The choice of rubber underscores the watch's identity as a modern, practical tool rather than a delicate dress piece. It is comfortable, durable, and suitable for a life in perpetual motion, from the airport lounge to a business meeting in a new city.
Courtesy of Richard Mille
The RM 63-02 Automatic Worldtimer is an embodiment of the Richard Mille ethos. It takes a familiar, beloved complication and reinterprets it through a lens of extreme engineering and user-centric design. The watch is a complex machine, with 86 parts of the movement and another 12 parts of the case dedicated solely to the world-timer function. Yet, from the wearer's perspective, its operation is reduced to a single, satisfying action: a twist of the bezel. This is where complexity becomes invisible, and sophistication is expressed as pure simplicity.
The Richard Mille RM 63-02 Automatic Worldtimer is produced as a limited edition of just 100 pieces. As with all creations from the brand, its availability is highly exclusive. The pricing will reflect the immense research and development, the use of advanced materials, the complex in-house caliber, and the extraordinary level of hand-finishing involved in its creation and is available upon request. It is a piece for the discerning collector who appreciates not just the function of a watch, but the innovative spirit and uncompromising execution behind its design.
Case: 47.00 mm x 13.85 mm; three-part case with bezel and caseback in satin-finished 5N red gold and caseband in grade 5 titanium; assembled with 12 grade 5 titanium spline screws; sapphire crystal on front and back with anti-glare treatment; water-resistant to 30 meters.
Movement: In-house Calibre CRMA4; automatic winding with bidirectional rotor in 5N red gold and grade 5 titanium; 50-hour power reserve; 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency; functions include hours, minutes, seconds, oversize date, and worldtimer; features a function selector and free-sprung balance with variable inertia.
Dial: Sapphire crystal (0.40 mm thick) with anti-glare treatment; skeletonized view of the movement; oversize horizontal date at 12 o'clock; rotating 24-hour inner flange in two-tone rose and burgundy for day/night indication.
Strap: White rubber strap with a pin buckle.
Price: Upon Request
Reference Number: RM 63-02
Notes: Limited edition of 100 pieces. The worldtimer complication is uniquely adjusted by rotating the 5N red gold bezel, which is mounted on ball bearings and mechanically linked to the movement to change the local hour.