It’s a curious thing, watching luxury watchmakers dip their toes into the world of high-performance vehicles. The precision engineering, the obsession with mechanical perfection, the almost neurotic attention to detail – these traits translate remarkably well from tiny wrist-bound timepieces to roaring machines. , the Swiss brand whose watches routinely command six-figure prices and adorn the wrists of Rafael Nadal and F1 drivers, has now turned its horological expertise toward the asphalt with the RMB01 superbike, created in partnership with legendary British motorcycle manufacturer Brough Superior.
This isn’t Richard Mille’s first venture beyond watchmaking – the brand has previously dabbled in racing partnerships and automotive-inspired timepieces (remember the with Ferrari in 2022?) – but the RMB01 represents their most ambitious crossover yet. The collaboration makes perfect sense when you think about it: both companies trade in mechanical art that performs at the highest level, both cater to clients who view technical excellence as the ultimate luxury, and both understand that in a digital world, there’s something profoundly appealing about analog mechanical perfection.
Designers: Brough Superior & Richard Mille
The RMB01 itself is a track-focused beast that takes clear design cues from both brands’ DNA. At its heart beats a 997cc V-twin engine that showcases the same philosophy that drives Richard Mille’s skeletonized watch movements. The engine block starts as 352 pounds of aluminum before being precisely machined down to just 50 pounds of essential components. This weight-obsessed approach yields 130 horsepower, which might seem modest by hyperbike standards, but reflects a focus on usable power and mechanical transparency rather than headline-grabbing numbers. The engine casings themselves are works of art, machined from solid blocks of 5000-series aluminum alloy with high magnesium content, exposing the mechanical ballet within.
The chassis follows the same less-is-more philosophy, with a CNC aluminum frame connected to a self-supporting forged carbon exoskeleton. The suspension setup features Brough Superior’s signature Fior-type fork with double wishbone, separating steering from braking forces for exceptional stability through corners. Look closely at the wheels and you’ll notice divided rims that mirror the layered gear trains in a luxury watch movement. Even the speedometer has been reimagined as a mechanical display that would look at home on a Richard Mille timepiece.
Visually, the RMB01 strikes a balance between raw mechanical exposure and sculpted elegance. Available in three finishes (Nocturnal Sapphire, Selene, and Pearl of Speed), the bike features a frosted anthracite grey aerodynamic kit complemented by light grey detailing. Blue accents highlight the cylinder head covers, clutch master cylinder, alternator cover, and shock absorber springs, creating a sophisticated palette that’s unmistakably high-end without being flashy.
Only 150 individually numbered RMB01s will be hand-built in France, with pricing expected to exceed $200,000 per unit. Each represents roughly 18 months of collaborative development between the two companies, resulting in a motorcycle that blurs the line between functional vehicle and mechanical sculpture. For the lucky few who can afford one, the RMB01 offers a unique proposition: the mechanical soul of a Richard Mille watch scaled up to something you can actually ride. Whether on display in a collector’s living room or carving corners on a private track day, it’s a statement piece that demonstrates how the principles of haute horology can be applied to an entirely different mechanical canvas.
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