While we were at the SIHH 2015 we were fortunate to run into this amazing new timepiece from Richard Mille and work on this hands-on review with tons of live pictures like we like it. The new Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake 'All Black' is the new version of the first Yohan Blake Richard Mille watch with green and yellow flying bridges and flange inspired by the Jamaican origins of the legendary track runner. The new iteration of this exceptional timepiece, features the same case construction as its predecessor but this time in an 'all black' color scheme with black and white flying bridges. Fitted with a tripartite case measuring 50.23 L x 42.70 W x 15.84 T made of TZP black ceramic —bezel and case back— with a matte finish and a middle case of NTPT carbon, a material composed of multiple layers of parallel filaments obtained by dividing carbon fibers. These layers, with a maximum thickness of 30 microns are impregnated with resin, then woven and finally heated up at a pressure of 6 bars. Assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and washers in stainless steel the watch is water resistant to 50 meters.
Its dial, featuring the skeletonized titanium calibre RMUL2 features two flying bridges in white and black and skeletonized hands with luminescent material on their tips. This time, the flange on the watch is black instead of green and yellow on the previous RM 61-01 Yohan Blake. The seconds hand with its red tip provides the perfect amount of contrast to this exceptional timepiece.
An interesting characteristic of the Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake 'All Black' are the large drawn-out crown protectors that accentuate the 'ruggedness' of this watch and offer full security to the crown during sports and other activities. The main rationale behind these crown guards comes from the need of preventing the crown to rub against Yohan Blake's wrist while sprinting at record-breaking speeds. The crown is made of NTPT carbon with an Alcryn collar and is equipped with a torque-limiting system to avoid any overwinding.
The beating heart inside this watch is the Richard Mille manual wound skeletonized calibre RMUL2 with a weight of 4.3 grams. This calibre, featuring the baseplate and bridges in grade 5 titanium, a free sprung balance with variable inertia, a double barrel system, a thickness of only 3.15 mm and 24 jewels beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph to provide a power reserve of 55 hours. The calibre is fully visible via the display case back and it is a real treat for the eyes just as with any other Richard Mille watch.
On the wrist, the watch is feather light and wears like a glove. Whether you are a world-record breaking machine or you are just a globe trotter leading a blue chip corporation, this is a watch that has enough wow and superb craftsmanship to add it to your permanent wrist rotation. The watch is fitted with a very comfortable black rubber strap with the usual Richard Mille double folding clasp.
The new Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake 'All Black' is available in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
Sticker Price $130,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
