Richard Mille RM 72-01 Review: Wrist Feel & Wearability

Name: Richard Mille RM 72-01 Review: Wrist Feel & Wearability
Item: Richard Mille RM 72-01
Author: Dr. Hélène Rousseau

When you think of Richard Mille, you think of avant-garde design, astronomical price tags, and a clientele that includes tennis stars and Formula 1 drivers. But for the young collector who actually wants to wear their watch—not just lock it in a safe—the RM 72-01 presents a fascinating proposition. This is the brand’s first in-house automatic flyback chronograph, and it’s been engineered with a tonneau case that promises surprising wrist-friendliness.

I’ve spent a full week with the RM 72-01 in titanium, wearing it from morning meetings to evening dinners, even a light gym session. The question isn’t whether it’s a technical marvel—it is—but whether it survives a real week on the wrist without becoming a burden. Let’s find out.

Manufacture History

Richard Mille was founded in 2001 in Switzerland, quickly establishing itself as a disruptor in the luxury watch world. The brand’s philosophy—creating watches that can withstand the forces of a Formula 1 car while looking like contemporary art—has attracted a cult following. The RM 72-01, launched in 2020, is a landmark model: it houses the brand’s first fully in-house automatic chronograph movement, the CRMC1, marking a significant step in vertical integration.

Movement

The CRMC1 caliber is an automatic flyback chronograph with a date complication. It beats at 28,800 vph, offers 50 hours of power reserve, and is COSC-certified. The movement is entirely skeletonized, with bridges and plates made from grade 5 titanium. The finishing is exceptional: hand-chamfered edges, circular graining, and a platinum micro-rotor that winds the mainspring efficiently. The flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with a single pusher press, a feature beloved by pilots and racers.

Specifications

Case diameter: 40mm
Case thickness: 12.5mm
Lug-to-lug: 48mm
Case material: Titanium (also available in Carbon TPT®)
Crystal: Sapphire (front and back)
Water resistance: 30m
Lume: Super-LumiNova on hands and hour markers
Strap: Rubber with folding clasp

Wrist Feel

At 40mm wide and 48mm lug-to-lug, the RM 72-01 wears surprisingly compact for a Richard Mille. The tonneau shape curves gently around the wrist, and the titanium case keeps the weight down to a mere 85 grams on the rubber strap. The skeletonized dial lets light pass through, further reducing visual bulk. The rubber strap is supple and conforms to the wrist without pinching, and the folding clasp is low-profile and secure.

During a week of wear, I never felt the need to take it off. The watch sits low enough to slide under a dress shirt cuff, though the tonneau shape does catch on tighter cuffs. The crown and pushers are well-protected by the case design, and the chronograph pushers have a satisfying, crisp action. The only minor annoyance is the lack of quick-adjust on the clasp—you’ll need a tool to resize the strap.

Accuracy

Over seven days of mixed wear, the RM 72-01 ran consistently within +2 to +4 seconds per day, well within COSC standards. The flyback chronograph resets instantly with no stutter, and the date change at midnight is crisp. Expect reliable performance as long as you keep the rotor winding—the 50-hour power reserve is adequate for a weekend off the wrist.

Occasions

The RM 72-01 is versatile enough for daily wear, sporty enough for a weekend outing, and striking enough for a dressy dinner. It’s not a formal watch, but it can certainly hold its own in a business casual setting. The 30m water resistance means you should avoid swimming or showering with it.

Wrist Presence

5/5. The RM 72-01 is an undeniable conversation starter. The skeletonized dial, exposed gears, and vibrant color accents (depending on the variant) demand attention. On the wrist, it feels like wearing a piece of modern sculpture. It’s not subtle, but that’s the point.

Reference Variants

The RM 72-01 is available in several dial and case combinations. The standard titanium model features blue and red accents. There’s also a green and yellow variant, and a full Carbon TPT® case with red accents that is lighter and even more exclusive.

Family References

Other notable Richard Mille models include the RM 11-03 (automatic flyback chronograph with annual calendar), the RM 67-02 (ultra-light automatic), and the RM 35-03 (Rafa Nadal’s automatic).

Other Notable Models by Richard Mille

The RM 27-03 (tourbillon for Rafael Nadal), RM 055 (Bubba Watson’s tourbillon), and RM 030 (automatic with variable rotor geometry) are all iconic in their own right.

Similar Watches

If you like the RM 72-01 but want something more accessible, consider the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph (similar sporty vibe, lower price), the Hublot Big Bang Unico Chronograph (skeletonized, rubber strap), or even the Rogers RM 72-01 Homage (budget-friendly quartz alternative).

Homages

The Rogers RM 72-01 Homage is a quartz-powered watch that mimics the tonneau shape and skeleton dial for around $250. It’s a fun way to get the look without the investment, but it lacks the movement quality and finishing of the original.

Investment Value

The RM 72-01 has an MSRP of $200,000, but current retail prices hover around $250,000 due to demand. Pre-owned examples range from $180,000 to $220,000. The trend is appreciating, especially for limited carbon variants. If you can buy at retail, it’s a solid hold. Auction history is limited as most sales are private.

Service Interval

Richard Mille recommends service every 5 years. The cost is approximately $1,500 and must be done by an authorized service center. The in-house movement requires specialized tools, so independent watchmakers are not an option.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Lightweight titanium case, in-house flyback chronograph, excellent wrist comfort, stunning skeletonized architecture.

Cons: Very high price, only 30m water resistance, legibility can be challenging in low light, no quick-adjust clasp.

Final Verdict

The Richard Mille RM 72-01 is a masterclass in blending haute horlogerie with everyday wearability. It’s not for everyone—the price alone ensures that—but for the collector who wants a watch that feels as radical as it looks, this is one of the most comfortable and technically impressive chronographs on the market. Just don’t take it swimming.