RM 023
A CERTAIN IDEA OF AFFINITY AND OPPOSITION
For this watch, which was based on the famous RM 010, we took the liberty of creating forms that evoke the dual principles of masculine and feminine: the idea of affinity and opposition, or co-presence, as we understand it today. A unisex watch.
This timepiece has an elegant dial design, using an asymmetrical layout with appliqué Roman numerals on sapphire with a sculpted, Alcryn®-collared crown.
Designed for both men and women, this model expresses the essentials of Richard Mille’s philosophy in its sophisticated appearance: convincing as well as comfortable under all imaginable conditions.
RM 023 AUTOMATIC WINDING
CALIBRE RMA02
Automatic winding movement with hours, minutes, seconds, date and variable-geometry rotor.
POWER RESERVE
Circa 55 hours (± 10%).
BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES MADE OF GRADE 5 TITANIUM
Production of these components in grade 5 titanium with black PVD or Titalyt® coating confers great rigidity on the entire assembly, as well as the precise surface flatness essential for perfect functioning of the gear train.
The skeletonised baseplate and bridges were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to optimise its resistance capacities.
DATE DISPLAY
Semi-instantaneous, the calendar disc of sapphire crystal is treated with nonreflective coating on both sides.
VARIABLE-GEOMETRY ROTOR
The RM 023 uses variable geometry to optimise the rotor’s winding motion.
Rotor specifications:
• Arm in grade 5 titanium
• High palladium content 18K white gold weight segments
• Weight segment with 6 possible positions adjusted by screws in grade 5 titanium
• Ceramic ball bearings
• Unidirectional; anti-clockwise winding direction
This exclusive Richard Mille design makes it possible to effectively adapt rewinding of the mainspring to the user’s activity level, in sporting or non-sporting environments. By adjusting the six-position rib, the rotor’s inertia is modified to either speed up the winding process in the case of leisurely arm movements, or to slow it down during sporting activities.
MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTICS
Movement dimensions: 30.25 x 28.45 mm
Thickness: 4.14 mm
Number of jewels: 32
Barrel arbour: AP 20 steel
Balance: Glucydur®, 4 arms, moment of inertia 4.8 mg•cm2, angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Balance spring: elinvar by Nivarox®
Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)
Three-position stem: manual winding, date adjustment, time setting
CASE
This was the subject of an entire year of research and development. To produce each case, 68 different stamping operations are required for the three main components (bezel, caseband and caseback). The machine tooling process requires 8 days of adjusting the machines for the bezel, 5 days for the caseband and 5 days for the caseback. Prior to this process, developing a methodology for carrying out this series of operations took 120 hours, the drawings for the tools 130 hours, and implementation 180 hours. Each rough case involves 202 separate machining operations.
The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 metres, ensured by 2 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
• Baseplate and bridges in hand-ground, wet-sandblasted grade 5 titanium, black PVD or Titalyt® treated
• Burnished pivots
• Diamond-polished sinks on the bridge side
• Pinions with undercuts
Steel parts
• Sapphire-blasted surfaces
• Anglage and polishing by hand
• Screw slot and screws bevelled and polished with rounded and polished tip
Wheels
• Sandblasted and rhodium-plated, bevelled wheels (before cutting the teeth)
• Minimal corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance
Other features
FREE-SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
This type of balance wheel represents the ultimate in innovation. It guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during movement assembly or disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated, and a more accurate and repeatable calibration is possible thanks to 4 small adjustable weights located directly on the balance.
DOUBLE-BARREL SYSTEM
The double-barrel system helps to improve torque stability over a longer period. This is achieved by distributing the stored energy across two winding barrels instead of one, which increases the number of rotations and reduces pressure on the teeth, bearings and pivots, resulting in better long-term 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.