Richard Mille and Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) collaborated again for the creation of an exclusive travel-watch which takes functionality and performance to new limits. The new RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ combines a tourbillon with a sophisticated vibrating alarm mechanism and a second time zone.A limited edition of 30 pieces, the Richard Mille RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ has a price of Euro 1.292.700.
Following the RM 50-02 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph launched in 2016, Richard Mille and Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) collaborated again for the creation of an exclusive travel-watch which takes functionality and performance to new limits.
Maintaining the distinctive lines of its predecessor, the new RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ combines a tourbillon with a sophisticated vibrating alarm mechanism and a second time zone.
A pusher located at the centre of the crown makes it possible to select among five different functions with a simple push. The small aperture at 3 o’clock displays the selected mode against a light-coloured ground: N (Neutral) — W (winding) — T (time setting) — U (UTC hand setting) — A (Alarm setting).
In contrast to traditional alarms and chimes, the RM 62-01 features a silent alarm. Rather than a hammer that creates a sound by striking a pillar, a gong or the interior of the case, the time signal is transmitted by a vibration that only the wearer can perceive. In order not to affect the movement performance, this alarm mechanism uses an oscillating weight in solid gold inspired by the vibrating function of earlier mobile phones.
Machined from a single piece of white gold, this weight is precisely calibrated to oscillate at 5,400 rpm. Extensive simulations and multiple prototypes were required to ensure that this frequency would not in any way interfere with the other components of the movement and cause disturbance, resonance or breakage.
Significantly offset from the axis and comprised of high-density material, the weight’s centre of gravity generates the necessary inertia while respecting the constraint of available space.
Thanks to its sub-dial positioned between 4 and 5 o'clock and its two hands, the alarm may be adjusted to the nearest minute of a full 24 hours, using the function selector situated at 3 o’clock. An on/off indicator at 5 o’clock completes the mechanism.
The maximum duration of the vibration, which has a dedicated barrel, is 12 seconds. It can be recharged by pressing a 12 times on the pusher at 8 o’clock. The power reserve can be viewed on a scale situated at 7 o’clock.
The other indications of the dial include: a UTC function for a second time zone indicated by the green hand at the centre, an oversize date at 12 o’clock, and the movement’s 70-hour power reserve at 11 o’clock.
At 9 o’clock, below the sapphire dial, the tourbillon possesses a free-sprung balance oscillating at 3Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour).
816 components 2 barrels, 7 hands, 11 displays and a tourbillon cage are all housed in the 42.00 x 49.94 x 16.90 mm case. The casing ring is eliminated, and the movement is fixed to the chassis with four grade 5 titanium screws and silent blocks (ISO SW).
The caseback and bezel are comprised of a first bezel in polished and satin-finished grade 5 titanium, to which is affixed a second bezel, just 1.80 mm in thickness, machined from Carbon TPT, a high-tech material made up of 600 layers of parallel filaments obtained by separating out carbon fibres. The layers, no more than 30 microns thick, are impregnated with a black resin. They are then assembled on a dedicated machine, which stacks the layers, varying the orientation of the fibres by 45° between layers. The composite is then hardened heated to 120°C 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. During this phase, the many layers of Carbon TPT are revealed, creating random damascene patterns that make each piece unique.
The caseband and pushers are also milled from Carbon TPT enhanced with stiffeners in microblasted and polished grade 5 titanium. The case is assembled with 20 Torq-Set screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
The choice of these materials transcends merely aesthetic considerations: the titanium/ Carbon TPT pairing provides an optimal weight to stiffness ratio in the functional context of the RM 62—01. This combination ensures that vibrations produced by the alarm will be transferred to the wrist and deflected from the movement, which is thus protected by the structure of the watch itself.
The sapphire glass, shaped like an airplane window, crowns the many indicators, which remain easily legible thanks to their colour codes and strong contrast. The extra-wide diameter titanium crown recalls a jet turbine, whilst the pushers evoke the profile of pylons connecting the engine and wing.
A limited edition of 30 pieces, the Richard Mille RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ has a price of Euro 1.292.700. richardmille.com
Maintaining the distinctive lines of its predecessor, the new RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ combines a tourbillon with a sophisticated vibrating alarm mechanism and a second time zone.
A pusher located at the centre of the crown makes it possible to select among five different functions with a simple push. The small aperture at 3 o’clock displays the selected mode against a light-coloured ground: N (Neutral) — W (winding) — T (time setting) — U (UTC hand setting) — A (Alarm setting).
In contrast to traditional alarms and chimes, the RM 62-01 features a silent alarm. Rather than a hammer that creates a sound by striking a pillar, a gong or the interior of the case, the time signal is transmitted by a vibration that only the wearer can perceive. In order not to affect the movement performance, this alarm mechanism uses an oscillating weight in solid gold inspired by the vibrating function of earlier mobile phones.
Significantly offset from the axis and comprised of high-density material, the weight’s centre of gravity generates the necessary inertia while respecting the constraint of available space.
Thanks to its sub-dial positioned between 4 and 5 o'clock and its two hands, the alarm may be adjusted to the nearest minute of a full 24 hours, using the function selector situated at 3 o’clock. An on/off indicator at 5 o’clock completes the mechanism.
The maximum duration of the vibration, which has a dedicated barrel, is 12 seconds. It can be recharged by pressing a 12 times on the pusher at 8 o’clock. The power reserve can be viewed on a scale situated at 7 o’clock.
The other indications of the dial include: a UTC function for a second time zone indicated by the green hand at the centre, an oversize date at 12 o’clock, and the movement’s 70-hour power reserve at 11 o’clock.
At 9 o’clock, below the sapphire dial, the tourbillon possesses a free-sprung balance oscillating at 3Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour).
816 components 2 barrels, 7 hands, 11 displays and a tourbillon cage are all housed in the 42.00 x 49.94 x 16.90 mm case. The casing ring is eliminated, and the movement is fixed to the chassis with four grade 5 titanium screws and silent blocks (ISO SW).
The caseback and bezel are comprised of a first bezel in polished and satin-finished grade 5 titanium, to which is affixed a second bezel, just 1.80 mm in thickness, machined from Carbon TPT, a high-tech material made up of 600 layers of parallel filaments obtained by separating out carbon fibres. The layers, no more than 30 microns thick, are impregnated with a black resin. They are then assembled on a dedicated machine, which stacks the layers, varying the orientation of the fibres by 45° between layers. The composite is then hardened heated to 120°C 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. During this phase, the many layers of Carbon TPT are revealed, creating random damascene patterns that make each piece unique.
The caseband and pushers are also milled from Carbon TPT enhanced with stiffeners in microblasted and polished grade 5 titanium. The case is assembled with 20 Torq-Set screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
The sapphire glass, shaped like an airplane window, crowns the many indicators, which remain easily legible thanks to their colour codes and strong contrast. The extra-wide diameter titanium crown recalls a jet turbine, whilst the pushers evoke the profile of pylons connecting the engine and wing.
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