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The Richard Mille RM56-01: the crystal watch
You think you are imagining the watch. You think it’s an apparition that is taking form in front of your eyes… and to an extent you are right. What you imagine is a watch, as you focus your gaze, it becomes a watch… it’s the RM056-01. Last year, the RM056 knocked the SIHH show sideways. This year, Richard went one better: not only is the case made from crystal, but the plates and some of the bridges as well. What you are left with is something that you stare at repeatedly picking out where each part lies within the watch.
I don’t know how many fellow Purists out there have read Peter Carey’s book: Oscar and Lucinda? It tells the tale of two compulsive and passionate gamblers who make a bet. Lucinda bets Oscar that (her entire inheritance) that he cannot transport the glass church to the Australian Outback safely. For some reason, starring at the RM056-01 at SIHH, I could not help but think back to the story and see parallels with Richard’s ‘bet’ (he is always gambling with his reputation!) to the watch industry that he could pull off yet another ‘show-stopper’ of a watch. And he did!
I thought last year’s RM056 was fabulous and I was fortunate to be shown around Stettler (the crystal manufacturing firm in Solothurn) to see how the case was made. (http://richardmille.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-18/pi-5207608/ti-780028/s-0/) At the time, when I had seen how much both Richard and Stettler had invested in the new crystal technology and how difficult it was to produce and polish such complex shapes. However, compared to the 3 reasonably large sections of the case, the small and delicate plates and bridges within the watch must have presented a whole new set of problems. Not least of which would be the fact that the ultrasonic cutting and polishing has to be completed without actually seeing the item that you are working on. Needless to say that with the cost of the first RM056 requiring half of Stettler’s annual output has moved up a notch or two.
And it is, in its own small way, a cathedral to watchmaking! What better way to demonstrate and illustrate the watchmaker’s skill than by making a crystal watch that requires each and every aspect to be viewable to the most exacting scrutiny? It is no longer the case that just with the outer pins need to be exact, but each and every screw within the watch. One wrong move and it is all visible. One poorly finished piece, never mind how small can be seen. It is arguably the pinnacle of watchmaking and the RM056-01 does not disappoint.
It is not for the everyday wear, but as a flagship piece it is an undeniable tour de force of watchmaking, finishing, technical prowess and technology. It is stunning to see and the only downside to all this is that few will get to see it. Only 5 to be made, it will not be something you see at your local dealers at any time sooner, or later for that matter. More to the point, all 5 are pre-sold, and hence once complete will wing their way to the lucky handful.
Andrew H
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To post comments in Andrew's original post in RM forum, richardmille.watchprosite.com
