When fine watchmaking meets elite cycling, the result is an object destined to become a collector’s item. Richard Mille and Colnago have indeed combined their respective expertise in the new RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago, a watch produced in a limited edition of just 50 pieces that pays tribute to over seventy years of history of the famous Italian bicycle brand. A dialogue between two worlds united by the same philosophy: technological innovation, the pursuit of peak performance, and artisanal craftsmanship. The new timepiece thus transforms the bicycle into a mechanical language, blending the savoir-faire of fine watchmaking with that of professional cycling.
At the heart of the project is the new RM 64-01 caliber, directly inspired by the architecture of Colnago frames. Its structure, designed according to the principles of lightness, transparency, and dynamism, leaves every component fully exposed, so much so that at first glance it resembles the frame of a racing bicycle. This is no coincidence: both a racing bike and a Richard Mille watch are complex mechanical systems, in which every element is designed to transmit energy as efficiently as possible. Lightness, rigidity, material optimization, and the pursuit of peak performance are values shared by both worlds and are embodied in this new model.
The movement, consisting of 274 components, features a skeletonized mainplate and bridges made of Grade 5 titanium with hand-finished details. The barrel, positioned at the 1 o’clock mark, and the variable-inertia tourbillon, located at the 7 o’clock mark, deliberately evoke the drivetrain of a bicycle, while the upper bridges echo the characteristic star-shaped geometry of the legendary Colnago Master frames from the 1980s. The color palette also pays homage to the Italian brand’s tradition. The shades of white and Azure Blue are inspired by the Colnago C68, one of the most iconic models from the Cambiago-based manufacturer, with hand-finished details in 5N red gold.
The same attention to materials is evident in the 43.21 mm case, crafted from white and Azure Blue Quartz TPT®, an ultralight composite chosen for its high mechanical performance. Also making its debut on a Richard Mille sports watch is 5N red gold, used for certain aesthetic details—from the inner bezel to the crown, which is adorned with the famous Ace of Clubs symbol, Colnago’s historic emblem. Rounding out the design are hands specially developed for this creation, inspired by the cranks of a racing bicycle, underscoring a design in which every detail evokes the worlds of both brands.
[📸 Instagram: richardmille and colnagoworld © Fabien Nissels]
