The Richard Mille RM 68-01 Tourbillon Cyril Kongo is a high-performance luxury timepiece that serves as a canvas for contemporary street art. This limited edition of 30 pieces features a manual-winding tourbillon movement with hours and minutes, housed in an asymmetrical case measuring 50.2mm in diameter. The construction utilizes a Carbon TPT caseband paired with black TZP ceramic bezels, creating a durable and lightweight frame that tapers in both thickness and height. The skeletonized dial is hand-painted by French graffiti artist Cyril Kongo using a specially developed airbrush technique that applies indelible paints droplet by droplet to titanium components without compromising the movement’s equilibrium.
Technically, the watch is powered by the Calibre RM68-01, which offers a power reserve of approximately 42 hours and operates at a frequency of 21,600 vph. The movement’s architecture is inspired by street art, with the baseplate radiating outward like a paint splash on the reverse side and bridges arcing like brushstrokes on the front. Its complications include the central tourbillon and a day indicator, while the overall assembly provides a water resistance of up to 50 meters. The timepiece is finished with a black fabric strap and a titanium deployment clasp, emphasizing its identity as a wearable work of art.
General reviews of the RM 68-01 highlight its unprecedented integration of haute horlogerie and urban art, noting that the manual craftsmanship ensures every one of the 30 units is visually unique. Critics and enthusiasts alike praise the technical feat of applying micro-graffiti to delicate mechanical parts while maintaining chronometric precision. While some find the vibrant, multi-colored aesthetic to be a departure from traditional luxury standards, the watch is widely regarded as a pinnacle of avant-garde design and a significant collector’s item due to its rarity and innovative collaborative spirit.