Swiss watch firm Richard Mille made waves with the RM 016 Ultra Thin model in 2010 and the company is stirring things up for 2016 with the RM 67-01 Automatic Extra Flat. Now this new model, a pre-SIHH release, is based off the RM 010 so collectors will be familiar with it. The most obvious and salient point to note here is that this is the first tonneau-shaped wristwatch from Richard Mille to be offered in ultra-thin or extra-flat mode. This sets it apart from the aforementioned RM 016 and RM 33-01. More details, and crucially images, will be available at the SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) which will be held in Geneva from January 18 to January 22, 2016.

What is known as of this moment is that the automatic watch is only 7.75mm thick and is powered by a skeletonized CRMA6 automatic movement (3.6mm thick). As far as we know, this is the slimmest Richard Mille watch yet and possibly the slimmest tonneau-shaped watch and movement, period. According to the press release, the calibre CRMA6 was created by in-house specialists, which we will certainly try to look into further at the SIHH itself. Briefly, RM 67-01 displays hours, minutes and the date and has a function indicator. The power reserve is 50 hours.

The view via the exhibition caseback looks amazing, revealing a very high degree of skeletonization on the barrel, the rotor, the gear train and the bridges of the automatic winding mechanism. This is even more impressive when one considers that the baseplate and the bridges are in grade 5 titanium and finished with an extroplasma treatment. While the press kit does not get into it, extroplasma may refer to plasma electrolytic oxidation, a process generating oxide coatings on metals that offers protection against wear and corrosion.

Dial-side, the date window is positioned at 5 o’clock in a vertical opening, complete with an outline in Luminova, while function indicator is located between 1 and 2 o’clock. This indicator makes it easy to see the winding, date setting and hand-setting positions of the crown.

The indices are made of metal and mounted on two linked and rigid titanium rails attached directly to the movement. Each index has been filled with Luminova for better legibility in the dark, which is a first for Richard Mille.

Specs

• Dimensions: 38.7mm x 47mm
• Functions: Hours, minutes, date, function indicator
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Movement: Mechanical, ultra-thin, self-winding (platinum rotor), calibre CRMA6
• Water resistance: 50 meters
• Material: Titanium, with rubber strap