Richard Mille (RM) has unveiled two new watches for women which are said to be the first in the world to combine gold with composite materials.

The new materials, Gold Quartz-TPT and Gold NTPT carbon are a combination of quartz or carbon with gold leaf and are presented in the Richard Mille women’s models RM 07-01 and RM 037.

The new materials were created by the Swiss watchmaker in collaboration with North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a Swiss specialist in composite products. 

RM joined hands with NTPT to develop NTPT carbon and Quartz-TPT for cases and mainplates on its men’s watches and these materials enabled the Jura-based brand to achieve major progress in inalterability and shock-resistance. 

These materials are particularly difficult to machine and both companies spent considerable time developing new machining methods and cutting tools adapted to carbon and quartz. 

RM’s watches adorned in these materials stand out visually from traditional gold or platinum cases and are thus instantly recognisable.

Now, both firms have once again joined forces to extend the use of these materials to RM’s women’s line of watches with Gold Quartz-TPT® and Gold NTPT carbon.

This new interpretation of NTPT technology is still based on the principle of inserting layers of quartz-TPT or NTPT carbon at a 45-degree angle, in this case alternating with dozens of gold leaf layers, none of which are more than 10 microns thick. As gold is a noble material in chemical terms, it was very difficult for NTPT and Richard Mille engineers to ensure it “fused” correctly with carbon and quartz.

This procedure accentuates the specific characteristics of these materials, which in turn enhance the contours of the cases they adorn thanks to the unique play of light they create and their extremely attractive graduation of golden tones. The overall look is enhanced by a satin-brushed red-gold case-band with polished pillars, and a dial set with hundreds of diamonds and a centre in either mother-of-pearl or black onyx.

Gold Quartz-TPT and Gold NTPT carbon will be exclusively presented on the cases of the RM 07-01 and RM 037 Ladies watches, with every model rendered unique by the random design revealed during machining. 

Following in the footsteps of titanium, ceramic and sapphire, these two additions thus enrich the range of technical materials available for women.