Richard Mille’s name is today synonymous with avant-garde materials and cutting-edge movement construction forged on the back of high-performance models developed in partnership with a roster of elite athletes like Rafael Nadal, Felipe Massa, Pablo Mac Donough and Bubba Watson. In 2017, the brand developed a new cycling-inspired tourbillon wristwatch with four-time Formula One champion and cycling enthusiast Alain Prost that featured a unique mechanical odometer complication.

The Richard Mille RM70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost is a great example how the brand pushes the boundaries of watchmaking. The watch brings together a tourbillon movement with an unusual complication – a mechanical odometer that can tally distances up to 99,999 kilometres.

Furthermore, the watch’s asymmetrical case design – a skewed tonneau shape – is meant to provide comfort on the wrist whilst the cyclist grips the handlebars. The case is made from Carbon TPT, a material known for its durability and lightness, and now synonymous with the brand. The cycling theme extends to details like the titanium Allen screws that fix the bridges. The barrel ratchet, and tourbillon carriage recall the design of forged wheel spokes.

While the manual-winding tourbillon movement has a power reserve of 70 hours and uses titanium baseplate and bridges. A mechanical odometer, a totaliser that displays the overall distance travelled by a rider up to 99,999 kilometres, is seen in the top half of the openworked dial. Once a roller has been selected, pressing the pusher at 10 o’clock advances the roller by one. The distance travelled has to be entered manually via the pushers to the previous total.

The first pusher at 2 o’ clock enables one of the five rollers to be selected. The second pusher at 10 o’ clock incrementally rotates the roller. When not in use, an arrow at 2 o’clock points to the neutral position, confirming that the odometer mechanism is locked.
A limited edition of just 30 pieces, the RM70-01 is an exceptional mechanical wristwatch and the present timepieces is offered with its original warranty and presentation box.