Insider: Richard Mille Automatic RM 030 'Black Dash'. Hands-On Review with Live Pics and Pricing.
Unveiled at the SIAR 2015 in Mexico City, the Richard Mille Automatic RM 030 Black Dash is simply perfect. The newest version of Richard Mille’s RM 030 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor, cloaked in black with scarlet red details, debuts as the dark and dramatic sibling to previous editions of the popular tonneau-shaped timepiece. Like a carbon negative to this year’s White Rush limited edition, the Black Dash incorporates boundary-pushing new materials and a hand-finished innovative movement to achieve a new level of style and performance in haute horlogerie. Black TZP sand-blasted ceramic forms the front and back bezels of the RM 030 Black Dash, while its caseband is comprised of incredibly strong and light black NTPT carbon.
The Dial
Fitted with a gorgeous skeletonized dial with white, red and black contrasting accents and Arabic numerals, the new Richard Mille RM 030 'Black Dash' is one of those Richard Mille timepieces that takes in all the DNA of the brand and exudes it back at you with unparalleled looks. Equipped with a power reserve indicator at 9, declutchable rotor indicator at 12 with on/off position and date aperture at 7 o'clock, this Richard Mille Automatic RM 030 'Black Dash' is simply perfect. The type of RM that doesn't need any additional bells or whistles.
The Case, Strap & Crown
Fitted with the traditional Richard Mille tripartite case construction and the now iconic tonneau-shaped case, the new Richard Mille Automatic RM 030 'Black Dash' is fitted with a Black TZP sand-blasted front and back bezels, while its caseband is comprised of incredibly strong and light black NTPT carbon. The case measures 50 mm x 42.70 mm x 13.95 mm. The watch’s crown and rubber strap are also black, while the combination of red and white for its Arabic numerals, hands, indicators and inner flange produce a high degree of legibility. As it is the norm with Richard Mille, the black rubber strap features the traditional vents and is equipped with a double spring folding clasp —that by the way was patented by Chanel.
The Movement
Inside the case of the RM 030 beats an automatic caliber featuring a rotor that declutches automatically. With this system, the winding barrel is automatically disconnected from the rotor’s winding mechanism at the moment when the spring is fully wound. Additionally, this mechanism is linked to the power reserve indicator to provide optimal winding control. This allows both the movement and the oscillator to work with the best ratio of constant torque/power to provide the best chronometric performance. The movement provides a power reserve of 50 hours and is exquisitely finished in 5 grade titanium, steel and white gold for the ribs.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Richard Mille Automatic RM 030 'Black Dash' wears true to its size and extremely comfortable. Richard Mille is one of those brands where you put the watch on and you hardly notice it is there because of its unparalleled level of comfort. The RM 030 Black Dash was unveiled at the Salón Internacional Alta Relojeria in Mexico City and these live pictures show the watch in its full glory. The limited edition is available now at Richard Mille’s boutiques in Bal Harbour, Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, as well as authorized Richard Mille retailers throughout North and South America. The new Richard Mille RM 030 Automatic 'Black Dash' is available in a limited edition of 50 pieces exclusively sold in the Americas.
Sticker Price $140,000 USD. For more info Richard Mille click here.