Richard Mille has been the Principal Partner of Le Mans Classic since its first edition in 2002.  The next edition of Le Mans Classic will be held from 6th to 8th July 2012. Richard Mille will again be there in its capacity as Principal Partner and Official Timekeeper of the competition, which has become one of the world’s most renowned events for vintage cars.   To mark the event, the brand is unveiling two limited editions: the RM 008 LMC and the RM 011 LMC.  Only 2 pieces of the RM 008, a tourbillon split-seconds chrongraph, will be made.

Richard Mille RM 008 LMC Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph Watch

Limited edition 2 pieces

48.00 mm x 39.70 mm microblasted titanium case (15mm thick), Manual winding tourbillon movement displaying the hours, minutes and seconds, with split seconds chronograph function and power-reserve, torque and function indicators

Richard Mille RM 011 LMC Automatic Chronograph Watch

Limited edition 150 pieces

50 mm x 40 mm microblasted titanium case (16.2mm thick), skeletonized automatic movement displaying the hours, minutes and seconds, flyback chronograph with 24-hour counter, oversize date and month, rotor with variable geometry

The amazing Richard Mille RM027 watch has done it again!  Winning at the Monte Carlo Masters, this is the 8th consecutive title for the young RM027 tourbillon and its tag-along friend, Rafael Nadal.  Since 2010, the Richard Mille RM 027 — the lightest mechanical watch ever produced — has been accompanied by Nadal on-court at all major international tennis tournament play.

More of Rafael Nadal’s Watch>>>  Richard Mille for Rafael Nadal (RM027), Richard Mille Nadal RM27 Watch in Action, Rafael Nadal’s Watch Wins 3rd Tennis Major

RM027 Tourbillon (on Rafael Nadal) Savors the Monte Carlo Cup

(c) Ella Ling

Richard Mille for Rafael Nadal (RM027)

Congratulations to Bubba Waston for his 2012 Masters golf tournament victory.   Congratulations also to Richard Mille, sponsor of Bubba Watson since January 2011 (along with Travis Matthew clothing, Marquis Jet, and others).  Over the last 12 months, Bubba has been wearing the ultra-light, ultra-white Richard Mille RM038 wristwatch during PGA tournament play, as well as carrying the “Richard Mille” logo on the left-sleeve of his golf shirts.   The 2012 Masters was a fantastically competitive tournament, and a well-earned victory for Bubba Watson!

Bubba Watson Wins 2012 Masters Tournament Wearing Richard Mille Watch

Charl Schwartzel, right, of South Africa, helps Bubba Watson put on the green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament following a sudden death playoff on the 10th hole Sunday, April 8, 2012, in Augusta, Ga.(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Bubba Watson, left, gets a hug from Louis Oosthuizen after winning the 2012 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (Emily Rose Bennett Staff)

Bubba Watson waves while posing with his green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament following a sudden death playoff on the 10th hole Sunday, April 8, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Bubba seen below wearing the Richard Mille RM038 wristwatch

I wonder will Bubba Watson consider adding this RM031 to his RM038? It would be a nice compliment and make for a first-class pair.

Press Release:

The caliber RM031 is equipped with an AP direct-impulse escapement. Developed by APR&P for Audemars Piguet, this new escapement represents a subtle combination of a detent escapement and a Swiss anchor escapement. The AP escapement provides an improved chronometric results thanks to the direct action of the escapement wheel on the balance wheel in contrast to a Swiss anchor escapement in which the anchor acts directly on the escape wheel.

The AP escapement beats at 36000 vibrations per hour and is fitted with two Elinvar spirals that are set in opposite directions. It delivers a well improved efficiency. A dart is specifically designed for this kind of escapement, which prevents any overbanking. The objective is achieved: this high-demanding
design caliber reaches a chronometric variation of only 0 to 30 sec per month.

The baseplate and bridges are machined from ARCAP, a material used for the first time in watchmaking in the Richard Mille caliber RM002. ARCAP is renowned for its physical characteristics, which include corrosion-resistance and anti-magnetic properties. These qualities explain its frequent use in the
aerospace, automobile and advanced electronics industries.

The new round case (50 mm x 13.90 mm) is made in four parts according to an exceptionally complex design, and has been chamfered, polished and brushed for a unique finish. Lastly, in a perfect demonstration of the attention devoted to every detail, the lugs are carefully designed to extend the lines of the case while following the curve of the strap.

The RM 031 is available in a limited edition of 10 platinum pieces.

Baselworld 2012:  Behold the Richard Mille RM039 Aviation E6-B Watch — one of three new models unveiled today by ultra-exclusive watchmaker Richard Mille.  The man has not only been busy but extraordinarily creative as of late — this RM039 Aviation watch is actually a tourbillon flyback movement coupled with a slide-rule calculator!  What?!?!    Oh yea, that’s right — here’s the deal:

The RM 039 AVIATION E6-B displays much of the same information provided by the famous E6-B flight computer, which was invented in the United States by Naval Lieutenant Philip Dalton during the 1930s. This round slide rule, incorporated into the bidirectional rotating bezel, can be used to read off and calculate fuel burn, flight times, ground speed, density altitude or wind correction, as well as the fast conversion of units of measurement (Naut/KM/Gallons/Liters/Feet/KG/LBS).  The RM 039 tourbillon caliber is also equipped with a UTC hand, a countdown mode, an oversize date at 12 o’clock and a function selector. The tourbillon movement drives a flyback chronograph featuring an exclusive design.

Now while I’ve always found Mille’s exposed dials to be challenging to read, this watch really takes the cake — man is there a lot to sort through (visually) on this watch!  I give credit to Mille for placing an essential Pilot’s tool (the E6B slide calculator) alongside a tourbillon and flyback chrono, but let’s be honest — this is not your average every day pilot’s watch.

More Richard Mille Watch Madness—>> RM 052 Tourbillon Skull, RM 053 Tourbillon PABLO MAC DONOUGH, RM 56 Felipe Massa SAPPHIRE.

Richard Mille RM039 Aviation E6-B Watch

limited edition 30 pieces

titanium case and lugs, visual madness all around

Charity…

February 29, 2012, the “24 Ore Group” together with Antiquorum Auctioneers and the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Belgrade will host a charity watch auction entitled, “24 Hours for Help Them” (nice grammar, by the way) in Milan.   All proceeds raised from this unique charity auction will be used to build schools for the children of Serbia, which is to be applauded.  While this auction certainly does not have the high profile of something like “Only Watch“, participation is broad with 25 leading brands contributing a watch to auction for charity, so hopefully they can raise some good money.  Participating brands include: Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Bell & Ross, Breitling, Cartier, Chronoswiss, Corum, De Grisogono, Eberhard, Erwin Sattler, Hamilton, Hermès, Hublot, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger LeCoultre, Longines, Louis Vuitton, Officine Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Porsche Design, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, TAG Heuer.  Browsing through the catalog I thought I would post a few of the pieces that caught my eye.  Thanks to Antiquorum, 24 Ore Group, and the Embassy of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Belgrade for hosting the auction.  You can browse the full catalog HERE.

Bell & Ross BR 03 for Help Them Auction

Ref. BR 03-94-S-88888

Hamilton, “Jazzmaster Spirit of Liberty , Andrew Hamilton, Pennsylvania, Lancaster 1892”

Ref. H32.566.791. Made in a limited edition of 1892 examples in 2011

 Richard Mille “RM016”

Unique Piece Ref. RM016 AH WG/111

Corum Admiral’s Cup GMT 44

Ref. 01.005

Yours for $1.7 million…

Richard Mille RM 56 Felipe Massa SAPPHIRE with manual-wind tourbillon movement — completely encased in sapphire crystal. Side note:  Unless I am overlooking a precedent, I think big credit is due to Maximillian Busser @MB&F who I think was the first to do a 100% sapphire case on a watch (the HM-2 SV).  This seems to have spawned big advances on machining/sculpting capability for sapphire crystal because this Mille piece must be an absolutely crazy nightmare to produce, let alone handle!  Mille says it takes 1,000 hours to machine the case — another 430 hours to grind and 350 to finally finish!!!

 Richard Mille RM 56 Felipe Massa SAPPHIRE

limited edition 5 pieces

Polo

As I stated earlier, Richard Mille went ABSOLUTELY OVER THE TOP this year — in a good and exciting way.  Some very amazing and far reaching designs, really good stuff.  Here’s another to add to Mille’s stable of watches to be worn in sport by a high profile athlete (a la RM027 Rafa Nadal a la RM Bubba Watson)…This new RM053 features an eye-catching battleship-style case suitable for the hard striking game of Polo, for elite sportsman Pablo Mac Donough (Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 053 PABLO MAC DONOUGH

limited edition of 15 pieces and blasted titanium titanium carbide

I am looking through the 2012 Richard Mille releases and the only thing to say is that Richard Mille ABSOLUTELY OVER THE TOP this year — in a good and exciting way.  Some very amazing and far reaching designs, really good stuff.  Here’s the first, but believe me there is more and arguably better to come.  I would add that most all of these pieces will be well into the six figures if not into the millions, price-wise.  Where others may have been content to exploit the purely visual aspect of the skull, Richard Mille has taken the concept further by integrating it directly into the complete timepiece.

The baseplate and bridges take the form of a grade 5 titanium skull. Richard Mille has pushed the concept further by integrating this into the movement. The upper and lower jaws hold the ruby of the tourbillon cage. The back of the skull is actually the movement’s center bridge. The skeletonized baseplate and bridges were subjected to rigorous testing to insure their optimal strength.  The entire movement is connected to the case by 4 bridges that are inspired by the crossed bones from flags on pirate ships. The new case design, with its opened flanks, continues this visual allegory to the human skeleton.

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 052 Skull

Limited edition of 21 pieces, which includes 15 pieces in titanium and 6 unique set pieces in red or white gold

Hi all, hope you had a Merry Christmas.  As for me, I am thankful tohave enjoyed a nice Christmas spent in the company of family, and I am likewise looking forward to ringing in the New Year.  But for now, it’s time to get back to watches.  I’ve got just a few more SIHH previews to share this week, starting with one from ultra-high end watchmaker Richard Mille.

For me, other than the ultra-lightweight RM027 for Rafael Nadal and the golf-course ready RM038 for Bubba Watson, I struggle to appreciate Richard Mille.  I think that it is because Richard Mille presents its watches in a very technical and often esoteric manner. I often ask myself Mille’s myriad innovations are really something special, something that really adds to the value of the watch, or just fancy technical jargon intended to selll ultra-expensive watches ($50k+++).  While I am sure there is merit in his attention to high tech materials, etc. I wish that Mille would translate their technical innovations into something a bit less arcane, i.e. more tangible and appreciable for laymen such as myself. How about you?  If you have any thoughts on Richard Mille I’d love to hear them — drop a comment below.

Anway…here is is the new RM037, featuring Mille’s first in-house movement.

Richard Mille RM037

52mm x 34mm titanium case (red gold, white gold also available), automatic mechanical manufacture Calibre CRMA1 (skeletonized titanium, 50 hrs power reserve)

And for an example of what I referred to above, here is Mille’s description of its new in-house Calibre, the CRMA1:

…the crown has been separated from the watch case, the removal of a winding stem means that there is a minimum risk of damage if the crown receives an impact; the new barrel rotates faster improving performance and precision; new gear teeth on the wheels of the going train result in better transmission of power to the balance wheel; there is a new rotor and new re-worked screws for all the major components – to design a new calibre, the Master Watchmakers at Richard Mille don’t tweak and fiddle with what’s in their spare parts tray, they begin with a blank sheet.  All the improvements made have a common goal – a more precise timepiece which is as close to indestructible as possible.