RM 36-01
A FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE G-FORCE SENSOR
The RM 36-01 Tourbillon Sébastien Loeb is the result of our collaboration with Sébastien Loeb, the most successful driver in WRC history, having won the world rally championship a record nine times in a row and set a world record on the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 2013.
After producing the RM 036, with the goal of promoting civic responsibility by encouraging drivers to adopt a more relaxed driving style, it seemed logical that we should make a product designed for pure competitive racing. Who other than Sébastien Loeb could have embodied such an extreme racing watch?
Sébastien Loeb
Hugely talented world champion rally driver Sébastien Loeb has joined the team of prestigious sports stars involved with Richard Mille in 2013
RM 36-01 Manual Winding Tourbillon G-sensor Sébastien Loeb
CALIBRE RM36-01
Manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, rotary g-sensor, power-reserve indicator and function selector.
Limited edition of 30 pieces.
POWER RESERVE
Around 70 hours (± 10%).
BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM
The baseplate and the bridges are crafted of grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90% grade 5 titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination further increases the material’s mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautics and automobile industries. The baseplate is also PVD treated.
The central bridge in rigidified ARCAP® ensures the rigidity of both the baseplate and the going-train bridge assembly.
All these elements were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to ensure they met rigorous strength requirements.
ROTARY G-SENSOR
Composed of over 50 parts and measuring a mere 17 mm, the rotary g-sensor can be rotated manually to align in different directions, enabling drivers to view lateral deceleration as well as longitudinal forces, respectively experienced in corners, acceleration and braking on straights.
Directly connected to the bezel and sapphire glass, the sensor can indicate g-forces of up to 6 g’s. The scale indicates whether deceleration is safe (green zone) or if it reaches a critical threshold for the pilot (red zone).
This construction is a real technical breakthrough for watchmaking, requiring complex assembly and adjustment during construction, with part of the movement on the baseplate whilst other movement parts are attached to the bezel/sapphire glass construction, which is mobile, as it must turn, yet remains part of an exact timekeeping mechanism.
FUNCTION SELECTOR
In a manner similar to a car’s gearbox, a pusher located at 4 o’clock allows one to select the winding, neutral and hand-setting functions with a simple press.
POWER RESERVE INDICATOR
Located on a scale at 2 o’clock, the power-reserve indicator shows the number of hours of energy left in the mainspring before the watch must be wound again.
FREE-SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
The free-sprung balance offers better reliability in the event of shocks, movement assembly or disassembly, and also guarantees better chronometric results over time.
MODULAR TIME-SETTING MECHANISM FITTED AGAINST THE CASEBACK
Advantages for longevity and maintenance:
• Since the component is mounted outside the movement, the time-setting assembly can be changed without affecting the integrity of the baseplate in the event of a possible defect or during maintenance.
• The mounting and dismantling of this module from the back does not require removal of the hands or dial.
WINDING-BARREL TEETH AND THIRD-WHEEL PINION WITH CENTRAL INVOLUTE PROFILE
The central involute profile of the winding-barrel teeth provides an optimal pressure angle of 20°, which promotes effective rotary motion and compensates for possible variations in the operation of the going train. This, in turn, ensures excellent torque transmission and a distinct improvement in performance.
SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES AND CASE
This permits better control of the torque applied to screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.
MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTICS
Movement diameter: 36.60 mm
Thickness: 4.59 mm
g-sensor module thickness: 10.25 mm
Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm
Balance wheel diameter: 10.00 mm
Number of jewels: 37
Balance: Glucydur®, 2 arms and 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 11.50 mg•cm2, angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Balance spring: elinvar by Nivarox®
Shock protection: KIF Elastor KE 160 B28
Barrel arbour: nickel-free Chronifer® (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S) with the following characteristics: stainless – antimagnetic – suitable for tempering
CASE
The three-part case of the RM 36-01 is composed of extremely advanced materials:
Rotating bezel: TZP brown ceramic, which requires a long and difficult machining and grinding process using special diamond tools.
Caseband: Made from an extremely strong polymer injected with carbon nanotubes. This combination produces a material that offers perfect protection for the tourbillon movement.
Caseback and fixed bezel : Grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, composed of 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium, a combination that further enhances the mechanical properties of the material.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
The design and execution of the watch demonstrate a holistic approach to conception of the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications, in the manner of the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars, where the chassis and the engine are developed in complete harmony. The three-part case is water resistant to 30 metres, ensured by two Nitrile O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
Finishing
Movement
• Anglage and polishing by hand
• Hand-polished locking sections
• Sapphire-blasted milled sections
• Lapped and polished contact points
• Burnished pivots
Steel parts
• Sapphire-blasted surfaces
• Anglage and polishing by hand
• Drawn outer faces
Wheels
• Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
• Circular-smoothed faces
• Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
• Minimal corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance.
Other features
FAST-ROTATING BARREL (6 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours)
This type of barrel provides the following advantages:
- The phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion is significantly diminished, thereby increasing performance.
- Provision of an excellent mainspring delta curve with an ideal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.
BARREL PAWL WITH PROGRESSIVE RECOIL
This device permits an appreciable winding gain (circa 20%), especially during the start of winding. It is also helpful in the distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.
WHEEL-BASED TIME-SETTING SYSTEM (back of the movement)
This system provides smooth time-setting functions thanks to the elimination of engaging friction by replacing it with rolling friction.