The Swiss watchmaker's latest creation blends haute joaillerie, contemporary architecture, and a new in-house tourbillon movement into one extraordinary statement piece.

In the world of Richard Mille, watchmaking has never been limited to mechanical prowess alone. With the new RM HJ-02 In-House Automatic Tourbillon, the Swiss maison pushes further into haute joaillerie territory, creating a watch in which fine jewelry, contemporary design, and horology coalesce.
Presented as the second chapter in Richard Mille's high jewelry journey, the collection comprises 12 one-of-a-kind creations divided into four distinct color universes: pink, purple, blue, and green. Each watch is built around its own palette, where gemstones do far more than decorate the surface. Instead, they shape the entire visual identity of the piece.

It is most apparent in the stone-setting. Rather than relying on traditional symmetry, the RM HJ-02 explores movement through layered surfaces, irregular cuts, and shifting reflections. Snow-setting, grain-setting, and bezel-setting techniques are used throughout the case, clasp, and even the movement itself, creating a continuous sense of depth and light.

Each watch contains an astonishing 1,399 gemstones and ornamental stones, including rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, Para&iacute;ba tourmalines, malachite, chrysoprase, and mother-of-pearl. Arranged like a kaleidoscope of color, the stones create a visual language that feels both highly artistic and unmistakably Richard Mille. According to the brand, nearly 700 hours were required for the preparation, setting, and quality control of the gemstones alone.

Beneath that explosion of color sits the new in-house CRMT2 automatic tourbillon movement. The skeletonized white-gold caliber was developed alongside the case and dial from the outset, ensuring complete harmony between the mechanical and decorative elements. Microblasted, beveled, and rhodium-plated bridges and baseplates continue the visual narrative, with gemstones extending naturally into the movement itself.

The RM HJ-02 is particularly impressive in that the jewelry never overshadows the mechanics. Core technical elements such as the variable-inertia tourbillon, fast-rotating barrel, and gem-set gold rotor remain clearly visible, allowing the watch's engineering to remain at the center of the conversation.

Drawing inspiration from Art Deco geometry while reinterpreting it through contemporary materials and manufacturing techniques, the RM HJ-02 moves beyond the familiar tonneau shape traditionally associated with Richard Mille.
Layered planes, sharp transitions, and asymmetrical compositions give the watch the presence of a miniature piece of contemporary architecture worn on the wrist. The development of the case alone reportedly took more than a year, as part of a project that spanned over three years from concept to completion.

With the RM HJ-02 In-House Automatic Tourbillon, Richard Mille once again demonstrates that modern haute horlogerie can be about far more than technical performance. It becomes a platform for color, light, craftsmanship, and creative expression.
More than a high jewelry watch collection, the RM HJ-02 is a statement about what contemporary watchmaking can look like when mechanical innovation and artistic vision are given equal importance.

Courtesy of Richard Mille.

Richard Mille Turns High Jewelry Into a Mechanical Masterpiece With the RM HJ-02

Richard Mille Turns High Jewelry Into a Mechanical Masterpiece With the RM HJ-02

Recommended posts for you

Bijoux

Richard Mille Turns High Jewelry Into a Mechanical Masterpiece With the RM HJ-02

Culture

Luz de Flores: A Bloom of Light and Design

Shopping

The 8 Best Citrus Perfumes That Go Beyond Fresh

Hommes

Jacob Elordi Captivates in the Latest Bleu de Chanel Campaign

Hommes

PP Krit Is Cartier’s Newest Ambassador

Culture

Crystal Redefines What It Means to Go On a Cruise

Fashion

Givenchy Appoints Marco de Vincenzo as the New Head of Leather Goods

Hommes

A Deep Dive Into Hyunjin’s Iconic Cartier Collection