SIHH 2012: Richard Mille
They may only produce 2,700 watches per year but Richard Mille always manage to put on a show. This year the presentation was in 3D which is a first for me and the added dimension certainly made for an unusual experience.
So, what’s new for 2012?
Well for starters, after spending a number of years in development, the Richard Mille in-house movement CRMA1 is finally available in the RM037. All operations are available through the crown and the various actions can be selected by the pusher and indicated on the dial, winding (W), neutral (N) and seconds (S).
In fact the crown isn’t directly attached to the movement, it is decoupled by a washer and gearing improving the seals and making the crown very easy to detach – important during the repair process.
For the RM050 tourbillon split second chronograph Felipe Massa (pictured at top) they have included the newly designed RMCC1 manual wind movement. While the case shape may be familiar the material is not being a polymer case impregnated with carbon nanotubes giving it huge resistance to stress while at the same time being extremely light.
There is also another version of the Felipe Massa this year called the RM56. Remarkably the case of this piece is made entirely from sapphire. This is extremely difficult from a technical viewpoint as there is no room for error – the material is extremely hard and unyielding and therefore it has no give at all for fitting.
As you would expect the work is highly specialized and each one takes more than 1,000 hours to produce, meaning that not only will they be extremely expensive but they’ll also be extremely limited. Expect to pay 7 figures if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one the only 5 to be made.
For those who are looking for something a little more daring, take a look at the RM052. There are many skull watches out there, most have an artistically created dials but not the RM052. Here the skull is the baseplate and the movement hangs off this supported by arms from the corners forming a skull and crossbones motif. The ruby of the tourbillon can be seen through the jaws of the skull and the entire construction is in grade 5 titanium. 21 pieces will be made in total, 15 in titanium and 6 in red or white gold depending on customer preference.
The Final Word
For a small brand Richard Mille often seems to punch above its weight, the range is beginning to mature and evolve into a truly coherent selection. True they aren’t for everyone, they’re large and masculine, but they are honest, top quality products.
For more please visit www.richardmille.com.
Category: SIHH 2012, Watch News
