A CERTAIN IDEA OF AFFINITY AND OPPOSITION
RM 023 AUTOMATIC
Automatic winding movement with hours, minutes, seconds, date and variable-geometry rotor.
Circa 55 hours (± 10%).
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.
Semi-instantaneous, the calendar disc of sapphire crystal is treated with nonreflective coating on both sides.
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
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
Other features