The very first in-house chronograph from Richard Mille makes its appearance. The Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph is poised at the intersection between Haute Horlogerie, dance, and music. A work in which technicity serves and drives elegance. It’s also an in-house creation, featuring the first flyback chronograph entirely developed and designed by the brand. An achievement crowning no less than 30 months of full-time work on the part of a dedicated team.
The new RM 72-01 keeps time, three beats to a measure, a rhythm emphasizing three numbers: three, eight, and eleven. Three beats for the three counters that immediately capture every eye. The hands dance in stylized harmony within their three respective timescales —blue for seconds, orange for minutes, green for hours—, orchestrated by a six-column wheel mechanism. The new Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle Chronograph is available in four different combinations —5N red gold, titanium, and black or white ceramic. For this new watch, Richard Mille has been able to keep the case profile relatively slim despite that this is a chronograph. The case measuring 38.40 x 47.34 x 11.68 mm features pushers in a totally new shape as well as a brand new o-ring winding crown.
The two pushers require the exact same force to activate the various different functions. The precise pressure required was calculated so that the engagement of the mechanism is distinct, yet gentle. The shape and surface of the pushers, along with the ‘click’ sound that is so clear and unambiguous to both finger and ears alike, help to create a feeling of comfort.
The transfers from minutes to hours have been isolated from the seconds wheel in this flyback chronograph which incorporates a double oscillating pinion mechanism developed and patented by Richard Mille. The brand has submitted a patent application for its double-clutch chronograph.
“This pinion, which can enmesh or withdraw from the gear teeth, has been twinned. There’s now one for the minutes and another for seconds. This system is thinner than a vertical clutch, which would be hard to fit into the heart of the movement,” explained Salvador Arbona, Technical Director for Movements at Richard Mille.
As a result, the chronograph function has little impact on the power reserve. The Calibre CRMC1 thus remains quite slim, at just 6.05 mm thick, despite comprising 425 different parts. This mechanism was entirely imagined, manufactured, and assembled in Les Breuleux, at the brand’s workshops. Its sublime precision can be viewed through its openwork case back, a hallmark of the Richard Mille brand. The Richard Mille in-house Calibre CRMC1 with its automatic winding movement provides a power reserve of 50 hours, whether or not the chronograph is running.
Equipped with 24-hour and 60-minute counters positioned at 5 o’clock and 2 o’clock respectively, it proves that a chronograph need not be limited to timing short periods. The Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph encapsulates the original movement. A unisex watch produced in four case materials including titanium, 18K red gold, black ceramic and white ceramic. It is available exclusively at Richard Mille boutiques worldwide.
Sticker Price Starting at $188,000 USD. For more information on Richard Mille click here.
