Table of Contents
RM 33-03 Specifications Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movement |
Calibre: RMXP3 Type: Skeletonized automatic Thickness: 3.28mm Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz) Power Reserve: Approximately 40 hours Rotor: Off-center monobloc micro-rotor in solid platinum with ceramic ball bearings |
| Case Dimensions |
Diameter: 41.7mm Thickness: 9.7mm Lug-to-Lug: 49.5mm Shape: Circular (second fully round RM after RM 032) Water Resistance: 30 meters |
| Materials |
Version 1: Grade 5 Titanium with satin and polished finishes Version 2: Carbon TPT® case with 18K 5N red gold caseband Movement Base: Grade 5 titanium with Titalyt treatment Bridges: Titanium with black PVD coating Hour Markers: 18K 5N red gold on titanium rails |
| Dial Features |
Date Display: Semi-instantaneous at 5 o'clock (black PVD titanium disc) Small Seconds: Subdial at 6 o'clock Hour Markers: Floating effect between flange and movement Crystal: Sapphire with double-sided anti-reflective coating |
| Finishing |
Surfaces: Wet sandblasting Edges: Hand-polished anglage Screws: Titanium spline screws Overall: Haute horlogerie hand-finishing throughout |
| Strap |
Material: Black integrated rubber Clasp: Titanium deployant clasp |
| Pricing |
Titanium Version: CHF 115,000 (≈ USD 150,000) Carbon TPT® & Red Gold: CHF 145,000 (≈ USD 188,500) |
| Key Innovation | Successfully integrates Richard Mille's tonneau DNA into a circular case design, creating a more versatile everyday wearer while maintaining the brand's technical excellence and material innovation |
A Calculated Evolution
The RM 33-03 succeeds the RM 33-02, but this is far more than a simple iteration. Richard Mille describes it as introducing "greater complexity" while preserving the unique ergonomics that made its predecessor successful[1]. What emerges is a fascinating synthesis: the sporty DNA of Richard Mille's signature tonneau shape harmoniously integrated into the natural balance of a round watch[2].
This represents only the second time Richard Mille has embraced a fully circular case design since the limited-edition RM 032 Ultimate Edition, making the RM 33-03 a significant milestone in the brand's design evolution[3].
Technical Mastery: The RMXP3 Movement
At the heart of the RM 33-03 beats the new RMXP3 calibre, a skeletonized automatic movement that exemplifies Richard Mille's commitment to technical innovation. With a remarkably slim profile of just 3.28mm, this movement manages to pack sophisticated engineering into an ultra-thin package[1].
The movement's centerpiece is its off-center monobloc micro-rotor crafted from solid platinum[3][4]. This dense material ensures efficient winding despite the rotor's compact size, while ceramic ball bearings enable smooth bidirectional winding. Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), the movement delivers approximately 40 hours of power reserve[1].
What sets the RMXP3 apart is its construction. The grade 5 titanium baseplate undergoes Titalyt treatment—an electro-plasma oxidation process that enhances both durability and aesthetics[1][4]. The bridges, also crafted from titanium, receive a black PVD coating that provides striking visual contrast while ensuring structural rigidity. Every surface showcases meticulous hand-finishing, from wet sandblasting to hand-polished anglage, elevating the movement beyond mere functionality to artistic expression[3].
Design Language
The RM 33-03's dial architecture demonstrates Richard Mille's ability to create visual depth within minimal space. The hour markers—crafted from 18K 5N red gold—are mounted on rigid titanium rails positioned between the flange and movement, creating a floating effect that adds dimensionality to the design[1][4].
Two key features distinguish the dial layout. First, a semi-instantaneous date display at 5 o'clock uses a black PVD-treated titanium disc that integrates seamlessly with the movement's aesthetic[1]. Second, and perhaps more surprisingly for Richard Mille, a small seconds subdial appears at 6 o'clock—a classical complication rarely seen in the brand's typically time-only or heavily complicated pieces[3].
The case itself measures 41.7mm in diameter with a thickness of 9.7mm, proportions that strike an ideal balance between presence and wearability. The lug-to-lug measurement of 49.5mm ensures the watch sits comfortably on a variety of wrist sizes[1][3].
Material Excellence: Two Distinct Personalities
Richard Mille offers the RM 33-03 in two material configurations, each bringing its own character to the design[1]:
Grade 5 Titanium: The full titanium version embodies technical purity. This aerospace-grade material provides exceptional strength-to-weight ratio while allowing for complex surface treatments. The case combines satin and polished finishes, creating subtle plays of light that highlight the watch's architectural lines[1].
Carbon TPT® with 5N Red Gold: This variant adds visual drama through the combination of Carbon TPT®—Richard Mille's signature composite material featuring distinctive wood-grain patterns—with an 18K 5N red gold caseband. The warm tone of the gold creates a sophisticated contrast against the technical carbon material[1][4].
Both versions feature Richard Mille's characteristic titanium spline screws, sapphire crystal bezel and caseback with double-sided anti-reflective coating, and water resistance to 30 meters[1].
Integrated Strap
Completing the package is a black integrated rubber strap secured with a titanium deployant clasp. The integration ensures visual continuity from case to strap[1].
Market Positioning and Pricing of RM 33-03
The RM 33-03 occupies an interesting position within Richard Mille's portfolio. Priced at CHF 115,000 (approximately USD 150,000) for the titanium version and CHF 145,000 (approximately USD 188,500) for the Carbon TPT® and red gold variant, it represents a relatively accessible entry point into Richard Mille's automatic collection[3][4].
This pricing strategy positions the RM 33-03 as an everyday wearer for the Richard Mille collector, offering the brand's technical excellence in a more understated, versatile package compared to the bold tonneau cases that dominate the lineup.
A Bridge Between Worlds
The RM 33-03 Automatic succeeds in what many thought impossible: maintaining Richard Mille's radical DNA within the constraints of a circular case. It serves as a bridge between the brand's avant-garde identity and traditional watchmaking forms, proving that innovation isn't always about breaking conventions; sometimes it's about reinterpreting them through a unique lens[4].
For collectors, the RM 33-03 offers something genuinely different: a Richard Mille that can transition seamlessly from boardroom to weekend retreat without sacrificing the technical prowess and material innovation that define the brand. It's a watch that speaks to Richard Mille's maturity as a manufacturer and how they are confident enough to explore new territories while remaining true to their core values.
In an industry often torn between tradition and innovation, the RM 33-03 Automatic demonstrates that with sufficient technical mastery and design vision, it's possible to honor both. It may be round, but make no mistake—this is unmistakably, uncompromisingly Richard Mille.
References
- Richard Mille. "RM 33-03 Automatic." Richard Mille Official Website. Accessed 2025. https://www.richardmille.com/collections/rm-33-03-automatic
- Richard Mille. Instagram post describing the RM 33-03. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMLFJVBtYEV/
- "Richard Mille introduces the RM 33-03 Automatic." Time and Watches. July 2025. https://www.timeandwatches.com/2025/07/richard-mille-introduces-rm-33-03.html
- "Introducing: Richard Mille RM 33-03 in Grade 5 Titanium or Carbon TPT with 5N Red Gold." Watch Collecting Lifestyle. 2025. https://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/richard-mille-rm-33-03-new-skeletonised-automatic-movement-with-micro-rotor