It was once the case that colour in watches went as far as dials and straps, but no more. QP discovers how watch designers are pushing the boundaries of material science to bring a kaleidoscope of hues to every aspect of their watches
By Josh Sims

It?s easy to give a watch a little PVD. Physical Vapour Deposition ? a means by which, using argon and some high voltage, a coating can be applied to metal ? is a relatively uncomplicated way to give a watch additional durability, but also, if you want it, some colour. ?But the important thing is that it?s still a surface treatment ? and if it gets scratched deeply enough you have to re-surface and re-coat,? says Tim Malachard, the global marketing director for Richard Mille. ?The difference is that now we can get colour integrated into some materials. And that means you can wear the watch daily. You don?t have this idea that a high-end watch has to be treated carefully.? Indeed, Richard Mille may be known for, among other things, its use of colour, but of late it?s gone to town: watches in the colours of the Spanish and German national flags, for example, or in that very particular signature hue of orange for a watch it?s made in collaboration with carmaker McLaren. And it?s down to Richard Mille?s exclusive partnership with Swiss material technologies company NTPT ? some 18 months ago it worked out how to use quartz to give colour to carbon, typically black as it is.
Two bright versions of the RM 67-02, both with TPT Quar...