Carbon TPT vs Quartz TPT: Richard Mille Materials Explained

Last updated: February 2026

Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT are both layered composite materials manufactured by North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT) exclusively for Richard Mille. The core difference: Carbon TPT uses black carbon filaments, producing the brand's signature dark wood-grain pattern. Quartz TPT substitutes colored silica fibers, creating vivid reds, blues, and greens with the same structural properties.

Both materials go through the same manufacturing process: hundreds of ultra-thin layers stacked and cured under heat and pressure. The distinction is cosmetic and cost-related, not structural. For a broader look at how materials factor into RM pricing, see our breakdown of why Richard Mille watches are so expensive.

Red Quartz TPT on the RM 67-02: colored silica fibers replace carbon to produce vibrant case colors

What Is Carbon TPT?

Carbon TPT (Thin Ply Technology) is a layered composite made from carbon filaments, each separated to a maximum thickness of 30 microns, roughly one-third the width of a human hair. Each layer of pre-impregnated carbon fiber is stacked at alternating 45-degree angles to the layer below. A single Richard Mille case requires between 600 and 800 of these layers.

The stacked assembly is then cured in an autoclave at 120 degrees Celsius under 6 bars of pressure. Every 30 layers produces approximately 1mm of material thickness. The result: 25% greater breaking stress resistance and 200% better micro-crack resistance compared to standard carbon composites.

The supplier, North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), also manufactures composites for America's Cup racing yachts. The RM 011 was the first watch to use Carbon TPT, and the collaboration has since expanded to include Quartz TPT and graphene-injected variants. The distinctive wood-grain pattern on every Carbon TPT case is a byproduct of the layering process: fiber alignment shifts between layers, so no two cases look exactly alike. In hand, the weight is the first thing you notice. Noticeably lighter than titanium, and dramatically lighter than gold.

Carbon TPT up close: the dark, layered wood-grain pattern that makes every case one of a kind

What Is Quartz TPT?

Quartz TPT uses the exact same manufacturing process as Carbon TPT but replaces the carbon filaments with colored silica (quartz) fibers. The same 30-micron layer thickness, the same alternating 45-degree stacking, the same autoclave curing at 120 degrees Celsius and 6 bars of pressure.

The difference is visual. Where Carbon TPT produces a dark, marbled look, Quartz TPT comes in vivid colors: red, blue, green, white, and other variations depending on the pigment used in the silica fibers. The layered wood-grain pattern remains: it is inherent to the TPT process, but now it appears in color against a contrasting background.

Structurally, Quartz TPT performs comparably to Carbon TPT. The silica fibers differ slightly in density and stiffness from carbon filaments, but in practical terms the cases deliver the same impact resistance and lightweight properties. The choice between the two is about aesthetics and the price premium on the colored variant.

Richard Mille frequently combines both materials in a single case. The RM 27-03 uses a Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT blend, layering the two fiber types together for a two-tone pattern where colored silica appears alongside dark carbon layers.

Carbon TPT vs Quartz TPT: Side-by-Side Comparison

The manufacturing process is identical. The cost difference between Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT comes from the colored silica fibers themselves, which are more expensive to produce than standard carbon filaments, and from lower production volumes on colored variants.

Carbon TPT B.4: The Newest Variant

In 2024, Richard Mille introduced Carbon TPT B.4 on the RM 27-05, Rafael Nadal's latest tournament tourbillon. This is not a marketing rename: it is a measurably different material.

Compared to standard Carbon TPT, Carbon TPT B.4 is:

• 4% denser: slightly heavier but with improved structural integrity
• 15% stiffer: the carbon fibers themselves resist flexion more effectively
• 30% more impact-resistant resin: the binding matrix absorbs shock better

The material was originally developed for Formula 1, where composites endure sustained vibration, extreme heat, and sudden impacts. Richard Mille adapted it for the RM 27-05, a case built to survive 14,000 g-forces on Nadal's wrist during a tennis serve.

At approximately $3.1 million retail and limited to 80 pieces, the RM 27-05 is currently the only model using B.4. Whether it trickles down to regular-production models remains to be seen, but the progression follows the same pattern as Carbon TPT's own origins: technology developed for racing, adapted for watches.

How Material Choice Affects Pricing

Case material is one of the biggest pricing variables in any Richard Mille. Using Grade 5 titanium as the baseline:

• Carbon TPT adds 20-30% to the retail price. The RM 67-01 in titanium starts around $120,000-$165,000; Carbon TPT variants push into the $150,000-$180,000 range.
• Quartz TPT adds 25-40%. The RM 35-03 in Quartz TPT retails around $238,000, with secondary market prices reaching $450,000-$558,000.

These premiums reflect manufacturing complexity, not raw material scarcity. Titanium and gold follow established machining processes from hundreds of suppliers. TPT composites require specialized autoclaves, cleanroom-grade layering equipment, and NTPT's proprietary process. On the secondary market, TPT variants generally command stronger premiums than titanium equivalents: every case pattern is one of a kind, making specific pieces harder to substitute. For current pricing across all materials and models, see our Richard Mille price guide.

Engineering specifications are based on published brand data and NTPT's technical documentation. Pricing reflects retail MSRP where available and current secondary market listings as of early 2026; actual prices vary by condition, year, included accessories, and dealer.