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A Unique Watch in Every Sense.
Mar 09, 2010,12:56 PM
The watch is unmistakably Richard Mille; it is unmistakably Boucheron. The tonneau case shape with the lateral struts, but with the Boucheron line pattern on the upper part of the case. As a synthesis it is genius. This watch has no parallel; it is for all intents and purpose a unique work. And within the unique work, each watch is unique. Each watch will be named as such: ‘Piece Unique’.
While the process of manufacture itself has been worked out, the manufacturing of the watches has only just begun. The research gurus at Renaud & Papi know that two stones work: onyx and tigers eye. There is a working prototype in each combination and the mechanism works. However, the testing on that front is only in the initial stages. The movement has to be tested in 5 positions in heat and cold, and given the construction of the cog wheels, the watchmakers at Richard Mille have to make sure that the temperature variation does not affect the individual wheels in the movement itself. Despite the problems, there is a dedicated (in the very definition of the term) team on the RM018 and the hope is that half of the limited series will be delivered this year. To date, the dedicated team in the basement of the Renaud & Papi buildings in Le Locle, have spent 3 years full-time trying to figure out the combination of jewels and engineering that would make the watch work.
Six stones have already been tried and failed as being too fragile for the production process. Keyed up for the future are mother of pearl, lapis, red/pink coral, and fossilized tree. All will be with a white gold case. The following photos are an attempt to show how each of the two completed watches (onyx and tiger’s eye) have their own individual character; both against each other, on the wrist, and when compared side by side. On the wrist the RM018 has the same comfort and feel as any other Richard Mille watch of the same case size; the curvature of the case seems to meld to the wrist. But each watch, because of the jewels, has its own character. For what it is worth, and in my honest opinion, the RM018 is a masterpiece of haute horologie. It will stand the test of time.
Andrew H
Comments:
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‘A Jewel of a Watch’: the Richard Mille RM018 ‘Hommage a Boucheron’.
By: 219 : March 9th, 2010-12:53
The RM 018 "Hommage à Boucheron" represents the interesting union between jewelry and watch making, bringing the best of both worlds into one. Boucheron with exquisite jewelry design with Richard Mille’s revolutionary technical skills in watch making. Thi...
Friends from Place Vendome
By: 219 : March 9th, 2010-12:54
Early in 2006, with the 150th Anniversary of Boucheron around the corner, Richard and a former neighbour and friend on Place Vendome: Jean-Christophe Bedos (CEO of Boucheron) decided on a collaborative venture. To create a unique watch, a watch of substan...
Perpetual Research
By: 219 : March 9th, 2010-12:55
Showing a computer rendering of the watch to the world is one thing; developing and producing working watches for the end collector is another. Add to the mix that you have included semi-precious gem stones as integral parts of the cog wheels in the drive...
They are making wagon-wheels!
By: aaronm : March 9th, 2010-14:49
That "heat it and then let is cool down to apply compressive force" technique is exactly how tires (really steel rings) were put on wooden wagon wheels... I guess this would then qualify as "re-inventing the wheel" A
A Unique Watch in Every Sense.
By: 219 : March 9th, 2010-12:56
The watch is unmistakably Richard Mille; it is unmistakably Boucheron. The tonneau case shape with the lateral struts, but with the Boucheron line pattern on the upper part of the case. As a synthesis it is genius. This watch has no parallel; it is for al...
Stunning timepieces.
By: VMM : March 9th, 2010-15:33
Saw them at the SIHH and found them very attractive. The colors from the wheels were very beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Vte
Thanks Andrew for this wonderful review!
By: AnthonyTsai : March 9th, 2010-19:20
I can only imagine how tough it is to make these cog wheels. And a rejection rate of 90%? Not very cost effective but guess you got to do what you got to do to make the innards of the RM18. The red/pink coral and lapis versions will look amazing since the...
marvelous
By: Tony A.H : March 10th, 2010-05:00
but my Heart is Aching righ now. sigh .so goegeous.!!!!!!!! Tony
Finally rational....
By: MTF : March 10th, 2010-19:49
I've always respected Richard Mille Watches and Renaud & Papi for their material science developments. The price-to-horology ratio?.....Not so much! Too expensive for what you get --- not optimum for regular collectors. But who said RM collectors are "reg...
I saw a press photo of the tiger's eye version...
By: dxboon : March 10th, 2010-20:42
...in the summer of 2008, and thought the watch amazing then, as I do now. IMO the union of Boucheron and Richard Mille has brought forth remarkable fruit! The view into the skeletal heart of the watch is so airy and light-filled. I love the way light fil...
Thank you for the kind words Daos - the watch when
By: 219 : March 16th, 2010-02:35
held to the light, or worn on the wrist is truly a jewel. Not my taste - always loved the RM006 myself - but can appreciate what a masterpiece this is. Thanks again Andrew H
As the stones are kept in place by frictional force, they should
By: 219 : March 16th, 2010-02:38
last as long as any wheel in a watch. There has been testing on wear and tear and so far, once the wheel is set (and no cracks!!), the wheel is fine. Getting it right at the first instance is the all important tricky hurdle. Thanks Andrew H
Amasing...
By: DonCorson : March 12th, 2010-10:53
I saw some wheels mounted with different stones at RM in Geneva 2 or 3 years ago and have been wondering if they were going to surface again. This is a great achievement. Using natural stone with all its inconsistancies is a real challenge. Great work and...
Stunning.
By: Davo : March 9th, 2010-18:08
And how much are those again?
Wow... Those are beautiful...
By: Chris Agostino : March 9th, 2010-19:47
I didn't think I would like the RM018 based on the original images that were released, but after seeing these photos I am totally smitten. They look fantastic. It is great to see that Richard Mille is not content to sit back and let his previous work defi...
Great report...
By: chris4 : March 10th, 2010-01:04
..thanks for the write up. Must admit I am a bit indifferant to this watch...love the movement and all the 'cleverness' in developing the piece, but cannot really get on with the case, would love to see it in a less shiny & less ribbed case!
Thanks a lot Andrew for the post.
By: foversta : March 10th, 2010-14:02
The Boucheron style of the RM case works quite well I must confess. Shall I add that another surprise will come from Boucheron before the end of the year ? But a RM one. Fr.Xavier
Great post about the RM018 and the cog wheels
By: ED209 : March 10th, 2010-21:14
Thanks Andrew for such an awesome post about the RM018. Those cog wheels using the onyx discs are amazing. I hope to see one in person some day. Regards, ED-209
Stunning
By: Da Guru : July 21st, 2010-16:26
I like what is known today as 'bling' and this is of the cultured variety much like a baguette set rm12 I once owned.