The Richard Mille RM 36-01 Competition G-Sensor Sébastien Loeb is a high-performance luxury timepiece limited to just 30 units. It features a substantial 47.7mm round modular case constructed from a combination of carbon nanotubes, grade 5 titanium, and a brown TZP ceramic bezel. This model is powered by the manual-winding Caliber RM36-01, a skeletonized tourbillon movement that offers a 70-hour power reserve and operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The watch is distinguished by its unconventional design, eschewing the brand’s typical tonneau shape for a more circular profile.

The defining complication of this watch is its rotary mechanical G-force sensor, which is capable of measuring acceleration and deceleration up to 6 Gs. This device is directly linked to the rotating bezel and the sapphire crystal, allowing a driver to align the sensor to monitor lateral or longitudinal forces. A scale on the dial indicates safe levels in green and critical thresholds in red, and the mechanism can be reset to zero via a central pusher located directly in the middle of the front sapphire glass. Additionally, the watch includes a function selector at the 4 o’clock position, which enables the wearer to switch between winding, neutral, and hand-setting modes through a button in the crown.

General reviews of the RM 36-01 highlight its exceptional technical innovation and the impressive engineering required to integrate a 50-component mechanical sensor into a wristwatch. While the complexity and use of advanced materials like carbon nanotubes are highly praised, some critics note that the specific utility of a G-force sensor on a mechanical watch is limited compared to modern digital applications. Nonetheless, the watch is widely regarded as a pinnacle of avant-garde watchmaking, and the departure from the signature rectangular case shape is often cited as a refreshing aesthetic choice for the brand.