Uniquely appealing and technically complex, the RM 74-01 and RM 74-02 In-House Automatic Tourbillons offer two new versions of the fully in-house automatic tourbillon calibre. These two striking models, both with the same ultra-skeletonized heart, are distinguished by the materials used for their cases as well as by their aesthetics, making them fraternal twins with unique personalities. Both watches have the same case size measuring 52.63 mm x34.40 mm x13.05 mm, however, their construction varies by model. The case on the RM 74-01 is a combination of Cermet and micro-blasted grade 5 titanium, while the case on the RM 74-02 combines 3N red gold and Gold Carbon TPT.
Richard Mille RM 74-01 Automatic Tourbillon
The RM 74-01 features grey Cermet, whose remarkable resistance to corrosion and scratches is particularly well-suited for a case application. Combining the lightness of titanium with the hardness of ceramic, grey Cermet consists of a metallic zirconium matrix associated with high-performance ceramic inserts. The hardness of the material, which is comparable to that of a diamond, was particularly appropriate for the case of this model. Many years of development on the part of Richard Mille and the IMI Group —a microtechnology specialist—, went into designing this material and its singular grey color.
The production process is no less extreme than the material itself. Heating and forming such different materials together at high temperatures without adulterating their respective qualities and achieving a homogenious material is no mean feat, and one rendered all the more difficult as the composition eschews the nickel and cobalt generally used in this family of hard materials. Cermet has a mass to volume ratio of 4.1 g/cm3 and a hardness of 2,360 Vickers, comparable to other high-performance ceramics, making it eminently suitable for use in bezels, an area highly vulnerable to scratches, while ensuring that entire assembly is light in weight. These cermet bezels are affixed to a caseband made of grade 5 titanium, which also contributes to lowering total mass.
Sticker Price $455,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
Richard Mille RM 74-02 Automatic Tourbillon
For its part, the RM 74-02 is enhanced with another material exclusive to Richard Mille in watchmaking, Gold Carbon TPT. This time the technical challenge laid in combining a singular composite like Carbon TPT and gold leaf. A watchmaking constitutive whose resistance is matched only by its lightness, it kindles a striking contrast between the matte black of carbon and the aura of gold. Its dusky silhouette is shot with threads of 24K yellow gold, whose radiance extends over the baseplate and the red-gold caseband with polished pillars as well as the crown encircled with yellow gold.
The design and execution of the watch demonstrate a holistic approach to conception of the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications. For example, a casing ring is no longer used, and the movement is mounted on chassis mounting rubbers fixed by titanium screws.
Gold Carbon TPT is a high-tech material comprising some 600 layers of parallel filaments obtained by separating out carbon fibers. The layers, no more than 30 microns thick, are impregnated with a black matrix. They are then assembled on a dedicated machine, which stacks the layers, varying the orientation of the fibers by 45-degrees between layers and alternating them with 24K gold leaf layers. As gold is a noble material in chemical terms, it was very difficult for the NTPT and Richard Mille engineers to ensure it ‘fused’ correctly with carbon. The composite is then heated to 120-degree Celsius at a pressure of 6 bars in a kiln similar to that used for the production of aeronautics parts, after which it is ready to be machined at Richard Mille.
This process accentuates the specific characteristics of these materials, which in turn enhance the contours of the cases they adorn thanks to the unique play of light they create and their extremely attractive graduation of golden tones. The caseband is made of 18K 5N red gold.
Sticker Price $511,000 USD. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
The Movement
The twin cores of these two models are the in-house CRMT6 calibre for the RM 74-01 and the CRMT5 calibre in the case of the RM 74-02. The materials used for the base plate and bridges are PVD and electroplasma-treated grade 5 titanium for the former, while the latter favors yellow and red gold. Beating to the rhythm of a tourbillon regulator with a free-sprung balance wheel, the constant energy flow from their fast-winding barrels is gently diffused via the involute profile gear teeth to ensure 50 hours of mechanical ballet. Both movements draw their energy from a variable-geometry rotor that allows each watch and its winding to be personalized to the profile of its owner.
The characteristically slender lines of the RM 74-01 and RM 74-02 particularly highlight their respective tourbillons, majestically positioned at 6 o’clock within their frames. The specific work done on the flange with beveled festoon highlights the movement of each watch, while graceful touches of hand-finishing further refine the delicate features of these two pieces, combining elegance and watchmaking science to perfection.
