The Richard Mille RM 47 Tourbillon, nicknamed the Samurai, is a manual-winding tourbillon wristwatch released in 2022 and limited to 75 pieces. Its tonneau case has a 3N yellow gold caseband and a black TZP ceramic caseback, and a hand-engraved, hand-painted samurai armour sits at the centre of the movement. It was sold through Richard Mille in 2022 and now appears on the maker's historical-models page; today it changes hands on the secondary market in seven-figure territory, so every unit needs careful checking. This guide covers the case, the movement, the edition size and how to think about the price band. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk: we do not hold RM 47 stock, and nothing here is a listing.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Specifications come from the maker's own historical-models page and launch coverage; figures not published there are marked as such. Sources: Richard Mille, RM 47 Tourbillon and Watch Collecting Lifestyle, launch report.
What is the Richard Mille RM 47 Tourbillon Samurai?
It is a limited-edition tourbillon that turns the samurai code of Bushido into a watch. Richard Mille took nearly four years to design it, according to the maker, and launch coverage credits a conversation with brand partner Fernando Alonso, a fan of Japanese traditional arts, as the starting point. The armour at the heart of the watch carries the crest of the Asano clan, and the same heraldic sign appears on the tourbillon at six o'clock. The result is closer to a miniature sculpture than a conventional time-only dial, which is why collectors treat it as an art piece first and a tool watch second.
What are the RM 47 specifications?
The table lists only what the maker publishes. Case dimensions, water resistance, crystal and strap are not stated on the maker's page, so confirm them against the documents of any specific unit.
| Attribute | RM 47 Tourbillon |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2022 |
| Edition size | Limited to 75 pieces |
| Case shape | Tonneau, three-part construction |
| Caseband | 3N yellow gold |
| Caseback | Black TZP ceramic |
| Movement | Calibre RM47, manual winding, hours and minutes with tourbillon |
| Baseplate and bridges | Grade 5 titanium, black PVD treatment, skeletonised |
| Power reserve | About 72 hours, plus or minus 10 percent |
| Crown | Titanium, Carbon TPT and polished 3N yellow gold, with a Japanese maple leaf motif |
| Decoration | Samurai armour of 11 components, hand-engraved and hand-painted |
| Case size, water resistance, strap | Not published on the maker's page |
How is the RM 47 case built?
The case is a three-part tonneau with a yellow gold caseband, a bezel and a black ceramic caseback. That mix of precious metal and a technical ceramic is typical of how Richard Mille pairs warmth with modern materials. Some resale descriptions use shorthand such as carbon TPT for this watch, but the maker's page names Carbon TPT only in the crown, not as the case material. When you compare listings, ask for the full material list from the unit's own paperwork rather than relying on a nickname.
What movement powers the RM 47?
It runs the manual-winding Calibre RM47, a compact tourbillon with hours and minutes. The movement had to be small so the armour could sit in the centre, and the tourbillon carriage is visible from both the front and the back of the case. Its baseplate and skeletonised bridges are grade 5 titanium with a black PVD treatment, and the maker quotes a power reserve of about 72 hours, give or take 10 percent. Because it is hand-wound, the watch needs regular winding if it sits unworn.
Who made the samurai armour?
The armour was hand-engraved by Pierre-Alain Lozeron and hand-painted by Valérie Lozeron. The maker gives the engraving time as 16 hours and the painting time as 9 hours for the 11 components. Because the work is done by hand, no two armours are identical in the fine detail, and this is one reason the edition is small. A buyer should expect to see the engraving up close in photographs, front and back, before committing.
How many RM 47 Tourbillon watches exist, and are there other editions?
The maker lists a single RM 47 Tourbillon, limited to 75 pieces, and we found no separate edition or colourway documented on its historical-models page. Treat any listing that claims a different variant with caution until it is matched against Richard Mille's own records. The RM 47 also should not be confused with other Richard Mille references that share similar numbers or a similar tonneau shape, such as the Richard Mille RM 65-01 split-seconds chronograph or the Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson models, which are different movements and different designs.
| Reference | Complication | Winding | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| RM 47 Tourbillon | Tourbillon | Manual | Limited art piece with a samurai armour |
| RM 65-01 | Split-seconds chronograph | Automatic | Sports chronograph in the main range |
| RM 055 | Time only | Manual | Lightweight sports watch, many colourways |
What is the RM 47 price band?
The RM 47 sits in seven-figure territory: launch coverage cited a price of about a million dollars, and the watch is a limited edition that is not sold off a shelf. We do not quote a figure here because resale values depend on the individual unit, its documents, whether it is brand new or pre-owned, and the moment you buy. For wider context on how Richard Mille pricing is structured, our Richard Mille buying guide covers models, sizes and price ranges. Treat any number you see online as a dated observation, not a quote.
How do you buy an RM 47?
Because the edition is only 75 pieces, you usually cannot walk into a boutique and buy one, so most buyers go through a sourcing route. You tell a sourcing desk the exact reference, then the desk locates a specific unit and confirms its details, photographs and papers before you commit. Our guide on how to buy a Richard Mille explains allocation, waitlists and that route. You can also browse the Richard Mille collection for references we can source.
What should you check on an RM 47 before buying?
- Edition proof. Ask for the numbered position in the 75-piece edition and match it to the paperwork.
- Material list. Compare the caseband, caseback and crown materials with the maker's page.
- Armour detail. Request close photographs of the engraved and painted armour, front and back.
- Service history. A tourbillon needs specialist servicing, so ask what has been done and by whom.
- Documents. Confirm the warranty card, box and any purchase paperwork match the watch.
Quick answers
How many RM 47 Tourbillon Samurai watches were made?
The edition is limited to 75 pieces, released in 2022. The maker's page lists no other variants of this reference.
What movement is in the Richard Mille RM 47?
It uses the manual-winding Calibre RM47 with a tourbillon and a stated power reserve of about 72 hours, plus or minus 10 percent. The baseplate and bridges are grade 5 titanium with a black PVD treatment.
What is the Richard Mille RM 47 case made of?
The caseband is 3N yellow gold and the caseback is black TZP ceramic, in a three-part tonneau case. Carbon TPT appears in the crown according to the maker.
How much is a Richard Mille RM 47?
It is a seven-figure watch, with launch coverage citing roughly a million dollars. Actual prices depend on the unit and when you buy, so confirm against a specific, documented watch.
Can Bizak & Co. source an RM 47?
We can search for one on request. We do not hold stock, and we confirm the specific watch, photographs and price with you before you commit.
Related reading: Richard Mille tourbillon references guide, Richard Mille buying guide and how to buy a Richard Mille.
Get your Richard Mille sourced
Tell us the model, size, dial and bracelet preference, whether you want new or pre-owned, and your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit. A $200 deposit, credited to the price, starts the search.
0 comments