The finishing touches are all applied by hand. Final inspection and polishing are on an intimate and exacting scale. When they have passed final inspection, the cases are stacked and racked and ready for delivery to the watchmakers. Because of the way the case is designed, the watchmaker has only to ?bolt? the movement to the case (mid-section), as well as mount the necessary bezel rings and crystals for the watch to be complete. The cases are then laid out on trays to be delivered.
Even then, once the finished cases leave Donz? Baume, they will undergo yet another inspection at Montres Valgine, who coordinate the entire RM production, before they are finally sent off to the watchmakers.
RM008 cases awaiting their journey up to Fernand Simao?s atelier.
RM005-FM titanium cases awaiting delivery to Vaucher.
In total, a very large number of man hours are required for even the simplest of cases. More is required if diamonds are fitted, or harder metals, or more complex finishing. Attention to detail is everything and it shows in the finished piece.
Thanks for reading.
Andrew H
Authors note: I wish to extend my thanks and gratitude to the employees of Donz? Baume (who gave me unrestricted access to their workshops), Theodore Diehl - who arranged and personally accompanied me on this visit, and above all Richard Mille. Everyone was generous with their time, and assisted in the supply of information for this article.
Main title with apologies to Messrs Taniyama and Shimura.