Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake Watch – Full Review
The Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake Watch, also known as the “Baby Blake,” is the second collaborative timepiece designed for Jamaican Olympic sprinter Yohan Blake. Featuring the unmistakable green, yellow, and black color palette of the Jamaican flag, the RM 61-01 immediately stands out as one of the most visually striking sports watches in the Richard Mille lineup. This review provides an in-depth look at its materials, movement, design engineering, and why the RM 61-01 is highly sought after among collectors.
Lightweight High-Tech Materials & Case Construction
The RM 61-01 Yohan Blake features Richard Mille’s signature tonneau-shaped case, crafted from cutting-edge materials. The bezel and caseback are made from TZP-N black zirconium-yttrium ceramic, known for its exceptional hardness, scratch resistance, and matte finish. The central caseband uses NTPT carbon fiber, a layered carbon composite recognizable by its wave-like texture. Combined, these materials ensure that the watch is both ultra-light and extremely durable—essential traits for an athlete-focused timepiece.
The oversized carbon fiber crown at 3 o’clock includes a vibrant yellow Alcryn rubber ring that enhances grip during training and sports activity. Although designed for high-impact situations, the watch maintains a water resistance rating of 50 meters, suitable for daily wear and sports environments (excluding swimming).
Openworked Dial & Jamaican-Themed Architecture
The skeletonized open-worked dial highlights the RM 61-01’s dramatic architecture. The dial reveals the movement’s inner mechanics, along with the mainspring barrel and gear train. A striking yellow-green bridge structure—representing Yohan Blake’s national colors—supports the calibre and creates a visually intense aesthetic rarely seen in sports watches.
The inner flange features boldly applied minute markers, while the titanium baseplate and bridges receive hand-applied electroplated colors, enhancing contrast against the blackened movement parts. This level of hand finishing demonstrates Richard Mille’s dedication to combining technical innovation with artisanal craftsmanship.
Caliber RMUL2 – A High-Performance Manual Movement
The RMUL2 movement is a manual-winding caliber designed to withstand extreme shock conditions—tested to resist impacts up to 5000g, making it one of Richard Mille’s most robust movements. The Grade 5 titanium baseplate with black PVD coating not only reduces weight but also ensures structural rigidity.
The movement operates at 28,800 vph and offers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. Through the sapphire crystal caseback, collectors can admire the geometric bridges and the impressive openworked construction that symbolizes Richard Mille’s signature engineering style.
Why Collectors Love the Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake
The Richard Mille RM 61-01 Yohan Blake Watch has become a highly coveted model for several reasons:
- Distinctive Jamaican-inspired design with unmatched visual identity
- Cutting-edge materials such as TZP-N ceramic and NTPT carbon
- Ultra-shock-resistant RMUL2 movement suitable for elite athletes
- Lightweight construction that enhances comfort during high activity
- Limited availability and strong collector demand
Its bold appearance and technical achievements make it one of the standout models in the Richard Mille sports collection.
Specifications: Richard Mille RM 61-01 “Baby Blake”
Richard Mille RM 61-01 “Baby Blake” Watch
Titanium and ceramic case, 50.2 mm × 15.8 mm, sapphire crystal, NTPT carbon fiber crown, RMUL2 manual-winding movement, 24 jewels, 28,800 vph, titanium buckle, 55-hour power reserve, rubber strap, 50 m water resistance.
Official reference:
Richard Mille Official Website
