Just as if the other two novelties presented by Richard Mille at the SIHH 2016 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève weren't impressive enough, the king of NTPT carbon timepieces unveiled a mechanically operated fountain pen out of this world. The new Richard Mille RM S05 Fountain Pen in NTPT Carbon, priced in excess of a $100K USD is one of those luxury objects that are beyond fascinating. The fountain pen, an object designed to appeal to the daily or occasional user, as a simple writing instrument for the simply curious, or as a luxurious tool for the connoisseur or the collector alike, has been rediscovered in its true worth by Richard Mille with the release of this amazing fountain pen in NTPT carbon and which on demand, releases its 18K white gold writing nib through a mechanical mechanism. No batteries or electronic module to make this pen work.
Just as complex as any Richard Mille watch calibre, this mechanical fountain pen Richard Mille RM S05 in NTPT carbon epitomizes the brand’s entire philosophy. The pen is equipped with an in-house manufactured calibre, in the same way as the Richard Mille mechanical titanium cufflinks did.Developed by the brand’s movement creators, the pen took almost four years to research and develop before emerging as an exceptional, highly technological, one-of-a-kind product. The movement is based on a skeletonized baseplate and bridges made of grade 5 titanium. This mechanical heart with 12 jewels powers a captivating display of mechanized kinematics that releases the 18K white gold nib in a matter of five seconds.
Fitted with a push-button at the end of the pen cap, the mechanism triggers the baguette movement fitted with a recoil escapement and a barrel. This escapement, traditionally used in striking watches, releases the head of the nib within seconds in one harmonious mechanical motion. The microblasted and satin-brushed surfaces, the circular-grained and rhodium-plated gears, the hand-polished angles, locking sections and sinks all attest to the care taken with the movement, which is showcased by a sapphire with anti-glare treatment protecting the calibre.
Replacing the cap raises the barrel in a fraction of second via a complex mechanism running through the body of the pen. At the very same moment, the nib delicately retracts, ready to emerge again at the merest touch of the push-button. The pen’s creators also worked on an ingenious method of removing the nib to insert an ink cartridge without damaging the smooth functioning of the mechanism and the pen.
The Richard Mille pen is machined in NTPT Carbon, a material with a distinctive finish obtained by superimposing hundreds of layers of carbon using an automatic deposit system that alters the direction of the fibers by 45° between one layer and the next. Heated to 120° in an autoclave similar to those used in the aeronautics industry, the material is ready to be machined by ProArt, the group’s case manufacturer. During this phase, the various NTPT Carbon layers are revealed randomly, making each pen a unique piece.
The grade 5 titanium also serves to emphasise the lines of the pen and enables the signature of the Jura-based brand and the serial number to be applied to the movement. By creating this mechanical pen for its clientele, Richard Mille has revisited an emblematic object which, like the brand itself, has transformed its world. The piece is aimed at all those who harbor a love of beautiful handwriting and great Swiss watchmaking mechanisms.
After playing with the pen for a little bit and writing Richard Mille's name with it, all we can say is wow. There are luxury toys and then there's the new Richard Mille RM S05 Fountain Pen in NTPT Carbon. A pen designed and marketed for those that can only settle for the best of the best.
Sticker Price $105,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
