Richard Mille x Brough Superior RMB01: A Fusion of Advanced Watchmaking and Motorcycle Engineering

The Richard Mille x Brough Superior RMB01 represents an unprecedented integration of two highly specialised disciplines: avant-garde Swiss horology and modern performance motorcycle engineering. This machine is not the product of co-branding but of a shared philosophy rooted in mechanical purity, structural efficiency, and aesthetic rigour.

Legacy and Philosophy: Two Makers, One Ethos

Richard Mille has long operated at the frontier of high-end watchmaking, characterised by extreme material innovation, visible architecture, and motorsport influence. Brough Superior, founded in 1919, earned its place in British motorcycling history through precision manufacturing, bespoke quality, and groundbreaking performance.

Although dormant for decades, Brough Superior was re-established in 2013 in Toulouse, France. Under new leadership, the company developed a complete in-house manufacturing operation, including engine machining, frame construction, and final assembly. This level of vertical integration is rare in modern motorcycle manufacturing and directly aligns with the Richard Mille approach of engineering without compromise.

Technical Architecture of the RMB01

The RMB01 is defined by its integration of structure and function. The core is a fully machined 997cc V-twin engine. The angle of 88° between cylinders was chosen for an optimal balance between compact geometry and primary vibration control, eliminating the need for balance shafts. The engine operates with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, improving high-RPM airflow and combustion efficiency.

Its casing is CNC-machined from 5000-series aluminium blocks, an alloy selected for its high magnesium content and excellent resistance to fatigue. The structural engine serves as a stressed member, replacing the need for a conventional cradle frame. This solution reduces weight and improves torsional rigidity, echoing the way Richard Mille baseplates double as structural components within watch movements.

The chassis comprises a forged carbon monocoque with integrated air ducts. The use of forged carbon, produced via high-pressure resin infusion and compression, allows the creation of strong, complex shapes with directional grain orientation for targeted strength. This material is also employed by Richard Mille in components such as cases, movement bridges, and baseplates.

Suspension and Ride Dynamics

The RMB01’s front suspension employs a Fior-type double wishbone system. Unlike traditional telescopic forks, this design separates the functions of damping and steering, resulting in consistent geometry under braking. The geometry reduces dive and maintains contact patch stability in high-load conditions, improving cornering predictability.

At the rear, a machined aluminium swingarm is mounted to the engine casing, minimising unsprung mass and centralising the weight. The use of rising-rate linkages improves compliance under variable load. Both suspension systems use fully adjustable mono-shocks, tuned to reflect the rider's weight and intended use.

Mechanical Aesthetics and Horological Parallels

One of the distinguishing visual features of the RMB01 is the treatment of mechanical components. The visible speedometer, placed in a metal housing, references the display philosophy of Richard Mille’s skeletonised dials, where layers of motion are legible and celebrated.

The wheels are inspired by the architecture of watch movements. Their construction involves multi-layered hubs and radially bolted assemblies, echoing the column-based layering found in tourbillons or chronograph assemblies. Each component, from the disc brake rotors to the sprocket carriers, follows a design logic of concentric balance and lightweighting through mass subtraction.

All aluminium surfaces are bead-blasted and hard-anodised, offering resistance to corrosion and thermal deformation. The carbon fibre is sealed with a UV-stable matte coating that accentuates texture without gloss.

Versions and Visual Identity

The RMB01 is available in three variants, each distinguished by a unique combination of colour, finish, and component detailing:

• Pearl of Speed: Matte pearl-white bodywork with forged carbon aerodynamic kit. Red accents on engine covers and suspension hardware reflect motorsport cues. This version focuses on balance and visibility.

• Selene: Matte anthracite-grey paint paired with exposed forged carbon elements. Orange contrast detailing offers high legibility. The visual language is stark and minimalistic, designed for performance-focused riders.

• Nocturnal Sapphire: Gloss sapphire-blue finish with a frosted carbon kit. This variant explores chromatic harmony, with blue anodised aluminium used on mechanical components for depth and contrast.

Production and Validation

Each RMB01 is assembled by hand in Brough Superior’s facility near Toulouse. Engine components, including the cylinder heads, are tested using coordinate measuring machines (CMM) to ensure dimensional accuracy within microns. Before final assembly, each motorcycle undergoes dynamic bench testing to verify combustion efficiency, cooling system pressure, and electronic stability control.

Only 150 units will be produced globally, underscoring its collectability. This limited volume reflects the time-intensive nature of its manufacturing and the manual validation each machine undergoes.

A Study in Transversal Engineering

The RMB01 is more than a motorcycle with a watch brand name. It is an engineered object, developed at the intersection of two disciplines where aesthetics and performance are indistinguishable from one another. Just as Richard Mille constructs movements with suspended bridges and architectural layers, the RMB01 arranges mass, airflow, and load into a unified composition.

This is not a stylised machine or a decorative artefact. It is a high-performance vehicle developed with the rigour of fine watchmaking, presented with the clarity of industrial design. It redefines what cross-industry collaboration can yield when both partners are committed not to compromise, but to mechanical excellence.