Watch Paparazzi

Cyclist Tadej Pogačar spotted wearing Richard Mille

The Richard Mille RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago collaboration made its public debut this week on the wrist of Slovenian professional cyclist Tadej Pogačar, a key rider for UCI WorldTeam UAE Team Emirates. The timepiece, unveiled in white and azure blue TPT (Thin Ply Technology), represents a limited production of just 50 pieces and bridges two Italian manufacturing traditions—watchmaking precision and bicycle engineering excellence.

The RM 64-01 houses a skeletonised tourbillon movement whose architecture draws direct inspiration from high-performance racing bicycle frames. The bridges, tubing geometry, and drivetrain-influenced component layout are visible through the dial, creating a visual dialogue between horological and mechanical engineering. The case is constructed in white TPT composite, a material Richard Mille has developed to offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios comparable to carbon fibre used in professional cycling frames. The azure blue accents echo Colnago's racing heritage. Water resistance stands at 50 metres, typical for Richard Mille sports chronographs, while the tourbillon operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour.

Limited-edition Richard Mille collaborations with heritage brands command significant collector premiums. The RM 64-01 Colnago edition, restricted to 50 pieces globally, sits at the apex of thematic watchmaking—each timepiece carries serial provenance and exclusive certification. Previous Richard Mille sports collaborations, particularly with motorsport brands, have appreciated substantially on the secondary market within 18 months of delivery.

Pogačar's selection of this RM 64-01 reflects a deliberate brand alignment: both watchmaker and cyclist prioritise marginal performance gains through material science and engineering optimisation. The Slovenian rider, a three-time Tour de France champion, has become synonymous with technical precision, making the skeletonised movement's transparency—exposing every component—a fitting metaphor for his racing philosophy.

Retail pricing for the Richard Mille RM 64-01 Tourbillon Colnago reaches $988,000 USD, positioning it among the brand's most exclusive limited releases. Grey-market availability remains minimal given the 50-piece production cap; waitlist demand for this reference has extended into 2027, with secondary market pricing already exceeding retail by 15–20 percent.