Richard Mille

SIHH 2015: Richard Mille RM19-02 Tourbillon Fleur

Jan 19, 2015,10:47 AM

Below is another ladies' Richard Mille tourbillon watch - the RM019-02 Tourbillon Fleur.

Cheers,
Anthony

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RICHARD MILLE RM 19-02 TOURBILLON FLEUR

No one can debate the hundreds of years of Swiss fascination with the art of fine horology that we all appreciate today. Yet, many will be unaware of the refined and equally age-old Swiss tradition regarding the creation of mimetic mechanical objects of art that imitate nature, thus blurring the dividing lines between artistic creativity and life itself.

This idea of being able to capture the very substance of life using mechanical means was born during the Age of Reason, motivated by the concepts presented by philosophers in their attempts to comprehend the mysterious inner workings of nature.

In this manner exquisite miniature animal, insect and flower automata of all kinds were created in precious metals and lacquer work to amuse and delight royal patrons in Europe and around the globe.

The new RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur epitomizes these traditions of horological artistry in a vibrant expression of watchmaking distinctive to Richard Mille’s vision of timekeeping in the 21st century.

For the creation of this timepiece a special flower, the Magnolia, was chosen as its existence marks millions of years on the earth even before the emergence of bees within the environment, flowering in an endless cycle of birth and regeneration. The Magnolia’s delicate appearance stands in sharp contrast to its strong organic structure and resilience in difficult environments.

At the lower left of the dial on the RM 19-02 we see the Magnolia surrounding a flying tourbillon escapement with five delicate, hand created and colored petals. Working either in passing, or on demand using the pusher at 9 o’clock, the Magnolia opens and closes with rhythmic regularity in a delicate kinetic ballet.

However, if you look very closely, you will see that Richard Mille chose to imitate nature in the most xquisitely extreme manner possible…..The Magnolia does not just open, the entire flying tourbillon with its stone set stamen actually moves upwards 1mm when fully opened, exactly copying the natural motion of the flower’s arching upwards of its stamen to increase its chances of pollination. Attention to details such as these exemplify the Richard Mille approach to watchmaking artistry on every level.

For those interested in the technical mastery behind this unique grade 5 titanium tourbillon caliber, a complex mechanism comprising 5 levers surrounds the underside of the petals, and yet another system combined with a long pinion is used to raise the flying tourbillon and stamen upwards within the flower’s circumference – all using energy supplied by a separate, second winding barrel. As an added attention to the tiniest details, it is even possible to adjust the opening and closing cycle.

The RM 19-02 Fleur is limited to a production of 30 pieces worldwide.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TOURBILLON RICHARD MILLE RM 19-02 FLEUR

Limited edition of 30 pieces.

CALIBER RM19-02: manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes and automaton mechanism.

Dimensions : 45.40 x 38.30 x 12.55 mm.

MAIN FEATURES

POWER RESERVE

Circa 36 hours (±10%).

BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM

Grade 5 titanium is a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90%titanium, 6%aluminium and 4%vanadium.

This combination further increases its mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries.

The skeletonized baseplate, entirely hand-engraved with a floral pattern, has been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimize their resistance capacities.

FLYING TOURBILLON

Positioned at 7 o’clock, the flying tourbillon is a complex regulating mechanism. The distinctive feature of the so-called “flying” tourbillon is that its cage is assembled without an upper bridge, thus creating the impression of weightlessness, and offering perfect visibility. The center of the tourbillon gracing the RM 19-02 is set with precious stones to symbolize the stamens of the magnolia flower.

VARIABLE INERTIA, FREE SPRUNG BALANCE

The free-sprung balance gives better reliability in the event of shocks, movement assembly and disassembly, and also guarantees better chronometric results over an extended period of time.

BARREL PAWL WITH PROGRESSIVE RECOIL

This device permits an appreciable winding gain (circa 20 %), especially during the start of winding. It also aids in the even distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.

AUTOMATON MECHANISM

The RM 19-02 features an automaton mechanism at 7 o’clock. Evoking a magnolia, the five petals in 18K gold open every five minutes to reveal the flying tourbillon. When the petals open, the flying tourbillon rises slightly to showcase all of its components. Pressing the pusher at 9 o’clock also enables the opening of the flower to be controlled manually.

The automaton is powered independently from the watch by an auxiliary gear train linked to a second barrel dedicated exclusively to this complication.

SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES

This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.

OTHER FEATURES

- Movement dimensions: 31.50 x 29.62 mm

- Thickness: 5.72 mm

- Tourbillon diameter: 11.10 mm

- Balance wheel diameter: 10.00 mm

- Number of jewels: 40

- Balance: GLUCYDUR, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, inertia moment 10 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53º

- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)

- Balance spring: ELINVAR by Nivarox®

- Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28

- Jewels set in white gold chatons

- Barrel shaft in nickel-free chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S) with the following characteristics:

stainless- antimagnetic- suitable for tempering

CASE

In the world of horology, the Richard Mille watchcase is considered as the most difficult to manufacture. This tripartite tonneau-shaped case is fully curved, which enables the watch to be ergonomic and comfortable but is time consuming during its production and requires a high level of quality control.

Both front and back curves are part of the Richard Mille watch case regard less of their shapes (tonneau, round, rectangular). These curving bezels with their characteristic shape demand ultimate precision with no stress in the metal. These manufacturing specifications required one year of research and development.

The specific tonneau shape of the RM 19-02 requires 47 stamping operations including 21 only for preparation. Tooling takes 4 hours and the RM 19-02 is obtained after 250 milling operations. The finishing process requires a full day for grinding, glazing and polishing.

The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.

SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE CASE

This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.

TORQUE LIMITING CROWN

This additional security system prevents from accidental overwinding, which could cause damage to the winding stem or put extreme pressure on the mainspring barrel.

CRYSTAL

Bezel side: in sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides).

Thickness: 1.20 mm

Caseback: in sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides).

Thickness: at the center 1.00 mm and outer edges 1.73 mm

FINISHING

MOVEMENT

- Anglage and polishing by hand

- Locking sections hand polished

- Sapphire blasted milled sections

- Lapped and polished contact points

- Burnished pivots