Today, we present you the new Richard Mille RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon. Its name is a clear affirmation of the creative longing to reveal our most secret intentions in all their glory. Playfully and tastefully interpreted, this fine watchmaking creation will delight and amuse its owners, teasingly displaying phrases that evoke desired pleasure without being as graphic as other erotic timepieces out there like the Ulysse Nardin Hourstriker Erotica Jarretière we featured here. Erotic timepieces are an important part of watchmaking history since Jaquet Droz was around. Because they broke with conservative moral, religious and political customs, these objects were often banned and confiscated. But like all forbidden love, their pleasure was enjoyed away from prying eyes. Thus by concealing the complications at the heart of watches in question, certain models have survived to this day.
The new Richard Mille RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon features a grade 5 titanium case measuring 50 mm x 42.70 mm x 16.15 mm. The grade 5 titanium used by Richard Mille is a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This tripartite tonneau-shaped case is fully curved, which enables the watch to be ergonomic and comfortable but is time consuming during its production and requires a high level of quality control. Both front and back curves are part of the Richard Mille watch case regard less of their shapes —tonneau, round, rectangular. These curving bezels with their characteristic shape demand ultimate precision with no stress in the metal. The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
Working with AP Renaud & Papi, Richard Mille has developed a new complication called “oracle”, which comes to life for the very first time inside the new Richard Mille RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon. Reminiscent of a Tibetan prayer wheel, the oracle complication allows random statements to be displayed thanks to the rotation of three rollers.
Additionally, the calibre RM 69 features a unique Richard Mille architecture. In this construction, the tourbillon and barrel are superimposed on the same axis rather than being assembled face-to-face. This ensures that the calibre is more compact and has greater shock-resistance, meaning that larger complications can be integrated into the watch. The calibre features 41 jewels, a fast rotating barrel and a tourbillon with a diameter of 11.10 mm. While beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph, this manual wound movement provides a power reserve of 69 hours. Regarding the fast rotating barrel, this type of barrel features a 6 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours and provides the following advantages: diminishing the phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion, thereby increasing performance and providing an excellent mainspring delta curve with an ideal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.
The power reserve is displayed in a new aperture at 4 o’clock in the form of a gauge powered by a planetary differential. This exceptional power reserve, obtained using a simple barrel, testifies to the brand’s quest for high performance in this original movement. While this power reserve indicator is quite discreet, it is perfectly designed in a way were you definitely know its there with the red, white and yellow contrasting accents on it.
The complex mechanism, which occupies a large part of the surface of the movement, is activated at the owner’s request by pressing a push-button at 10 o’clock. Releasing the button triggers the rotation of the grade-5 titanium rollers. To facilitate reading the statements, a push-button located at 8 o’clock commands the hours and minutes hands to momentarily retract.
The Richard Mille RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon pays tribute to watchmaking history and the creativity of past generations. This new watch is available in a limited edition of 30 pieces to be sold exclusively at Richard Mille boutiques worldwide.
Sticker Price $750,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
