Associating art and spirituality. Creating a new masterpiece designed as an aesthetic tribute to Japanese culture. Richard Mille presents the RM 47 Tourbillon, the fruit of intense reflection and nearly four years of design work. This is an artful watch of a new kind, incorporating an extremely compact calibre, specifically designed to make room for a stylized Samurai suit of armor entirely crafted by hand. The model was born of a friendly conversation between Richard Mille and the twice Formula 1 world champion and brand partner Fernando Alonso, a passionate enthusiast of Japanese traditional arts and the Samurai principles.
It is not without reason that the samurai armor at the heart of the RM 47 Tourbillon sports the crest of the Asano clan. Originating from Hiroshima, this family is, without doubt, the finest embodiment of the Bushido spirit, the Samurai code of ethics whose values still prevail in Japanese society.
The RM 47’s movement, case, and decoration all bear witness to a design approach intended to guarantee the harmonious and effective integration of all the various elements. The tonneau-shaped case comprises three parts with a case band in 3N yellow gold receiving a bezel and a case back in black TZP ceramic.
This new model transcends creative limits and takes its place in the prestigious lineage of ‘ornamental’ watches typical of the brand. Entirely hand-carved by the engraver Pierre-Alain Lozeron and painted by his wife Valérie Lozeron, the Samurai armor illustrates the different aspects of ancestral Japanese culture. Evoking the spirit of bushido, the Samurai code of ethics whose values still prevail in Japanese society, the armor comes to life in 3N yellow gold, recalling the gold leaf used in ancient Japan to embellish the country’s finest shrines and also certain works of traditional craftsmanship.
In total, it takes no less than 16 hours of engraving and 9 hours of painting – in all, more than a whole day – to obtain the 11 components that make up the Samurai, perfectly integrated, front and back, around the movement of the RM 47 Tourbillon.
“Between sword and chisel, between the cutting edge of the blade and the incisions defined by the precision of the engraver’s technique, there are many parallels to evoke the similarities between the qualities of these warriors and those demanded by our artistic crafts.” —Pierre Alain Lozeron, Engraver at Richard Mille.
Like a guard, the samurai of the RM 47 Tourbillon comprises various elements that provide precious protection for the manually wound Calibre RM47. From either side of the case, the tourbillon carriage is discreetly visible, along with certain components of the gear train, giving substance to this remarkable warrior. With its engraved and painted decoration, the movement acquires a rare depth, a clear indication of the attention paid to details and finishes.
Asano Naganori, the daimyo, or chief, of the family fiefdom at the turn of the eighteenth century, was the lord of the 47 rōnin who avenged his death before following him into the afterworld. The Asano family’s Kamon is featured on the tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
To ensure optimal functioning of the movement, the baseplate and skeletonised bridges are made of grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible alloy often used in the aerospace sector, with a black PVD coating. This combination offers high corrosion resistance, and yields remarkable rigidity and perfectly flat surfaces. While deliberately discreet, the workmanship on the bridges and baseplate is nonetheless exceptional. Their complex lines and the effect of the hand-finishing are truly representative of Richard Mille’s technical demands.
The crown, crafted of titanium, Carbon TPT, and polished 3N yellow gold, has a Japanese maple leaf for its motif. An allegory of beauty, grace, and the brevity of life, it is the autumnal equivalent of the cherry blossom, a symbol of rebirth during spring. Every year in November, the maple leaves take on flamboyant colors before detaching from the boughs to fall in a tourbillon-like movement. As early as the Heian period, over a thousand years ago, the aristocracy already perceived this spectacle —later popularized under the name momijigari— as a significant motif of Japanese aesthetics.
Limited to 75 pieces, the RM 47 Tourbillon evokes the spirituality and values of the bushido, while embodying a determined quest for perfection and respect for traditions.
Sticker Price $1,080,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
