Thin is in again — for watches, that is. Richard Mille has just unveiled the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat, which comes in at a thickness of just 9.5mm.
The RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat is the maison’s latest reimagining of its RM 016, a rectangular model introduced in 2007. The new edition comes in two versions: the first in titanium and the second in a new colour, Terracotta Quartz TPT.
With a tripartite case measuring 36mm by 45.64mm, the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat is 10% smaller than its predecessor. Despite its rectangular shape, it retains a slight curvature that scoops around the wrist for more comfortable wearing.
Three nitrile O-ring seals ensure the case is water-resistant to 30 metres; Richard Mille’s signature spline screws in grade-5 titanium and washers in 316L stainless steel are used to assemble the case.
At first glance, perhaps the most striking thing about the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat is its hour markers. The numbers are interwoven with a snaking line decal on a thin sapphire dial, which further highlights the geometric shapes throughout the other components.
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To power the watch, Richard Mille created the calibre CRMA9, marking the maison’s 15th in-house movement. It runs at a frequency of 4 Hertz, with a power reserve of 50 hours.
The baseplate and bridges, rendered in grade-5 titanium, have been skeletonised to showcase the watch’s inner workings. The motion-work bridge has been treated with contrasting black PVD, while the other bridges and baseplate have been treated with microblasted grey electroplasma treatment.
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The design forms a network of seemingly crisscrossing lines, a maze that practically dares the eye to trace its paths. Nearly 70 openings have been created in various sizes, with nearly two hours of milling, in addition to dozens of manual operations, needed to create a single plate. To ensure their durability, the baseplate and bridges have also been put through 10-year ageing and shock-resistance tests.
The skeletonisation also allows for a clear view of the platinum oscillating weight, which has been crafted in a new silhouette for the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat. Here, the open-worked apertures and angular shape create visual harmony with the rest of the watch.
Richard Mille has applied its OneWay winding system to the oscillating weight, which comes with titanium weight segments. This, along with ceramic ball bearings, allows for more efficient winding while maintaining the movement’s compact dimensions. In total, the calibre CRMA9 has a thickness of just 4.12mm.
Both the titanium and Terracotta Quartz TPT versions of the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat work well on a variety of skin tones. Of particular interest is the latter, a new colourway for Richard Mille. It has a rich red tone but doesn’t veer into ostentatiousness, so it remains wearable with a twist of visual interest.
To achieve the terracotta tone, tiny silica threads of just 45 micrometres in diameter are layered at 45-degree angles in a coloured matrix, before being heated at 120°C at 6 bars of pressure. In the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat, the raw composite milled for the case is laid over a caseband made of Creamy White Quartz TPT.
Overall, the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat’s ultra-thin profile, intricate skeletonisation, and striking design make it a noteworthy addition to Richard Mille’s lineup. Its rectangular form is unique among the maison’s creations, making it a sure standout for those in the know.
