The Richard Mille RM 65-01 is an automatic split-seconds (rattrapante) chronograph: a self-winding watch that can time two overlapping events at once, built around the in-house RMAC4 caliber. Richard Mille describes it as its most complicated automatic caliber, and it is the model people mean when they search for an automatic Richard Mille with a split-seconds function. This guide explains what the complication does, what the movement adds, which versions exist, how it wears, and why getting one depends on allocation. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk and not an authorised Richard Mille retailer; nothing here is a stock listing.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Sources: Richard Mille, RM 65-01 page. Details marked as reported come from watch press and should be confirmed with the brand.
What is the Richard Mille RM 65-01?
It is Richard Mille's automatic split-seconds chronograph, with hours, minutes, small seconds, a date, a 30-minute counter and a 12-hour counter on a skeletonised dial. Where earlier split-seconds Richard Mille watches were hand-wound, this one winds itself through a rotor, which is why it is usually described as the brand's automatic answer to the complication. The table below sets out the points the brand itself states.
| Feature | What Richard Mille states |
|---|---|
| Caliber | RMAC4, skeletonised, automatic winding |
| Complication | Split-seconds chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters |
| Date | Semi-instantaneous, in a vertical aperture at 11 o'clock |
| Power reserve | Around 60 hours (plus or minus 10 percent), depending on chronograph use |
| Frequency | 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz) |
| Baseplate and bridges | Grade 5 titanium |
| Rapid winding | Pusher at 8 o'clock rearms the barrel |
| Rotor | Variable-geometry, with a 3-position weight |
| Crystals | Sapphire, anti-glare treated on both sides |
What does a split-seconds chronograph do?
A split-seconds chronograph, also called a rattrapante, lets you time two events that start together but end at different moments. It carries two chronograph seconds hands stacked on one another. When you start the chronograph both hands sweep as one; a second pusher then stops one hand so you can read an intermediate time, while the other keeps running. Press again and the stopped hand jumps forward to catch up with the running one, which is where the French name, meaning to catch up, comes from.
It is one of the hardest chronograph complications to build, because the extra hand and its clamping mechanism must stay perfectly synchronised with the running hand. Richard Mille says the RMAC4 uses its latest-generation split-seconds mechanism with a six-column wheel, and states that the balance can measure to one tenth of a second.
What makes the RMAC4 movement different?
The movement pairs the complication with practical additions meant for a watch worn in real life. The most unusual is the rapid-winding function: pressing the 8 o'clock pusher fully rearms the barrel, which helps when the watch has stopped after sitting in a box. The barrel is described as fast-rotating, and the rotor's weight has three positions so the owner can tune how quickly it winds to match a calm or sporting arm. A function selector on the dial shows whether the crown is set to winding, date or hand setting. Press reports credit a development partnership with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier for the movement; treat that as reported rather than brand-stated.
What versions and case materials exist?
The RM 65-01 has appeared in several case materials, and the choice of material changes the look far more than the movement does. Versions that collectors discuss include carbon composite, quartz composite, titanium and rose gold, and Richard Mille has also released a limited McLaren W1 edition in a carbon case. The brand adjusts colours and finishes between releases, so confirm the exact reference, strap and year before you rely on a description. Our Richard Mille RM 65-01 reference collection shows examples of the carbon, quartz and rose gold versions, as reference points rather than owned inventory.
| Material family | Character | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon composite | Black, layered grain, light on the wrist | Exact grain pattern and reference |
| Quartz composite | Banded, often colour-toned look | Colour of the layers; each case differs |
| Titanium | Metallic, light, understated | Finish and strap pairing |
| Rose gold | Warmer, heavier, more formal | Weight and bracelet or strap option |
Is the RM 65-01 comfortable to wear?
Reports from reviewers generally describe it as comfortable for a large complicated watch, because a tonneau case with a titanium baseplate keeps weight down and the case curves toward the wrist. Composite and titanium versions wear lighter than rose gold. It is still a substantial watch with a skeletonised dial, so try one on before committing, and remember that wrist size matters more than any spec sheet. The brand does not publish a case size on the page we checked, so ask for measurements for the exact reference you are considering.
How does Richard Mille allocation affect sourcing an RM 65-01?
Richard Mille sells through its own boutiques and selected partners, and desirable references are typically offered to existing clients first, so most buyers cannot simply order one. That is why sourcing exists: we search the market for a specific unit, confirm its reference, condition and paperwork, and tell you the final price before you commit. A sourced unit carries no promise of a delivery date, so ask early and stay flexible on version. For the wider picture, read how Richard Mille allocation works and our plain-language guide on how to buy a Richard Mille. You can also browse the full Richard Mille collection.
Quick answers
What is a split-seconds chronograph?
It is a chronograph with two stacked seconds hands, so you can freeze one to read an intermediate time while the other keeps timing, then let the stopped hand catch up to the running one.
Is the RM 65-01 automatic?
Yes. The RMAC4 caliber winds through a variable-geometry rotor, and a rapid-winding pusher at 8 o'clock rearms the barrel quickly.
What is the power reserve of the RM 65-01?
Richard Mille lists around 60 hours, with a tolerance of plus or minus 10 percent, and notes it depends on how much the chronograph is used.
What materials is the RM 65-01 made in?
Versions include carbon composite, quartz composite, titanium and rose gold, with a limited McLaren W1 edition in carbon. Always confirm the reference before buying.
Can you buy an RM 65-01 without an allocation?
Not directly from the brand for most buyers. A sourcing desk can search for a specific unit on request and confirm the details before you commit.
Related reading: Richard Mille Allocation, How to Buy a Richard Mille and Richard Mille RM 67-01 and RM 67-02.
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, so you can plan around a real target.
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