Home » The Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie » Richard Mille Presents Futuristic New Watches at SIHH 2013
The Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille has displayed its latest models at the recently opened SIHH 2013 show. Each of the newcomers displayed at the Geneva event is made for one of the brand’s famous ambassadors: Yohan Blake (RM59-01), Jean Todt (RM-036 and RM 58-01), Rafael Nadal (RM27-01) and Roberto Mancini (RM11-01). As it was expected, the new timepieces are made with the use of high-tech modern materials. This sort of approach enables Richard Mille to offer tougher and lighter timekeepers. An example of this approach is the most interesting new piece – RM27-01 tourbillon watch made for the famous Spanish tennis player. The watch displays an innovative architectural structure which enables an outstanding structural integrity. Even though the entire timekeeper weighs just 19 grams with the strap, it is able to withstand the magnificent force of 5,000G!
Besides, there is RM-036 watch made for Jean Todt. This timekeeper includes a special G-force display mechanism designed by Renaud Papi. The other tourbillon watch promoted by the same ambassador is a traveler’s watch RM58-01 which includes a handy world time feature and a ten day long power reserve. Manicini’s RM11-01timekeeper is a flyback chronograph which includes a display of the added time at the end of a football match, as it was requested by the manager of Manchester City. Another new timepiece with a tourbillon complication and components made of high-tech materials is RM59-01 watch promoted by the Jamaican sprinter, Yohan Blake.
The Extreme Lightness and Toughness: RM27-01 Rafael Nadal
The latest timepiece in the frugal cooperation between Richard Mille and one of the top tennis players in the world is RM27-01 timekeeper. It is a watch that takes the toughness and lightness to another level, even further than it was the case with its predecessor RM 027 (the collaboration with Nadal also spawned extra tough RM 035). As it turns out, the new model made for Nadal has the smaller total weight of just 19 grams (as opposed to RM 027 which weighed 20 grams, or RM 035’s weight of around 35 grams). Naturally, this is enabled by the fact that it has an exceptionally light tourbillon movement – weighting just 3.5 grams (once again, lighter than the calibers of its predecessors: RM 027 weighed 3.83 grams while RM 035 had the weight of 4.3 grams).
Richard Mille RM27-01 Rafael Nadal Watch Dial
As the representatives of the brand reveal, the architecture of the highly innovative hand-wound movement is inspired by the structures of civil engineering. The suspended caliber features a baseplate which is attached to the housing by very thin braided cables made from steel. Four cables which have the minute diameter of 0.35mm are attached to the baseplate made of grade 5 titanium. The same material is used for the tourbillon cage, whereas the barrel bridges and gear-trains are constructed from aluminum-lithium alloy. The brilliant aspect of the concept is the system which secures that these cables are optimally tensed, since too much tension could cause the breakage, while an insufficient one can disturb the precision. This is achieved with the mechanism which includes two tensioners and four pulleys. The complex suspended structure is very demanding and tricky to make, but it has the extraordinary resilience and is able to withstand forces up to magnificent 5,000 G (anything over force of 10 G is potentially lethal for humans). As it is disclosed, the watch includes a power reserve that lasts for 45 hours.
Richard Mille RM27-01 Watch Caseback
Of course, the lightness of the watch is likewise greatly influenced by the selection of the material for the case. Made from composite material with carbon nanotubes which are responsible for its anthracite color, the tonneau case is 45.98mm long, 38.9mm wide and 10.05mm thick. Topped off with Velcro strap, this limited edition timepiece with water resistance to 30 meters is made in the series of 50 timekeepers.
Yohan Blake RM 59-01 with Claw Shaped Bridges
Yohan Blake is the silver medalist from the last Olympics. During his most important races, Blake wore Richard Mille RM38 timekeeper. For this year, the Swiss watchmaker has prepared a special watch dedicated to the sprinter. It is RM 59-01 tourbillon watch which features the colors of the Jamican flag. The watch has a superbly looking translucent green composite case with nanotubes. Besides, it features four distinctive green and yellow bridges made from an alloy of aluminum, magnesium, silicon and lead which are visible through both sides of its skeleton face. Its tonneau shaped housing is 50.24mm long, 42mm wide and 15.84mm thick. This is likewise a limited edition timepiece; this time the series consists of 50 copies.
Richard Mille RM59-01 Yohan Blake Watch
Richard Mille RM59-01 Yohan Blake Watch Caseback
Richard Mille for Jean Todt
The next two newcomers are made for the brand’s ambassador with an extremely reputable career in automotive sports – Jean Todt. Nowadays the President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Todt was previously the head of Peugeot rally and Ferrari Formula One teams which both reached their stellar moments under his reign. Interestingly, Jean Todt’s domestic partner is another ambassador of Richard Mille – the actress, Michelle Yeoh. Ricgard Mille RM-051 made for Michelle Yeoh was in the competition for the best ladies’ watch at the last years GPHG awards.
RM 036 Tourbillon G-Sensor Limited Edition Jean Todt
The first of two models made for Jean Todt is RM 036. Once again, the watch is supplied with a tourbillon movement made from quality materials. At the core of this watchmaking creation is hand-wound Caliber RM 036 with 26 jewels. Supplied with the power reserve of five days, the RM 036 beats at the frequency of 3 Hz.
Richard Mille RM036 G-Sensor Jean Todt Watch
This is yet another modernistic caliber by the Swiss watchmaker headed by the French businessman, Richard Mille. The undeniable highlight of the movement and the entire watch is the inclusion of a G-sensor complication. The mechanism was envisioned and crafted by Renaud Papi especially for Richard Mille. It is composed of more than 50 components and able to withstand decelerations of several tens of Gs. Gathered information is displayed at the scale located at the top of the dial.
RM 036 has a quite large tonneau case made of titanium. It is 50mm long, 42.7mm wide and 16.15mm thick and water proof to 50 meters. The face of the racing watch made for Jean Todt is naturally guarded by sapphire which is also used for the exhibition case back. The watch is launched in a limited edition of 15 pieces.
RM 58-01 – A Tourbillon with World Timer Feature
The second Richard Mille watch promoted by Jean Todt is an extremely elegant watchmaking creation, despite its large dimensions. This round shaped timekeeper with an appealing skeletonized face is supplied with a hand wound caliber with the extended power reserve which lasts for 10 days, as it is indicated on the subsidiary scale. Equipped with the world timer feature with an indication for day and night, the watch includes a circular housing with the diameter of 50mm and the thickness of 15.3mm. The watch has a transparent case back and it is launched in a restricted edition of 35 copies.
Richard Mille RM58-01 World Timer Watch
Richard Mille RM58-01 World Timer Watch Caseback
RM11-01 Flyback Chronograph
The final newcomer by Richard Mille is a flyback chronograph made for its ambassador, Roberto Mancini. It is an interesting model made in the collaboration with the famous football coach. This is why it has a chrono feature specialized for measuring additional time at each half time of a soccer match, as well as the extra-time interval. The watch with the large date display features an automatic chrono movement with a date annual calendar feature. Based on RM011 watch, this timepiece is also equipped with a caliber with a variable geometry rotor.
Richard Mille RM11-01 Roberto Mancini Watch
Richard Mille RM11-01 Roberto Mancini Watch Caseback
