Richard Mille has presented the new RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph in Carbon TPT with a price of CHF270,000. Most complex timepiece
After five years of development, Richard Mille has presented its new RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph, an automatic split-seconds chronograph that is the most complex timepiece ever to leave the Richard Mille workshops.
To ensure superior timekeeping accuracy and precise stopwatch calculations to 1/10th of a second, this model is powered by a high frequency balance with variable inertia beating at the frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour).
The split-seconds function, also known as rattrapante, makes it possible to calculate intermediate times, a first for Richard Mille on an automatic movement.
This function operates two hands that are superimposed and partially independent: the main hand is controlled by the pusher at 2 o'clock, which starts and stops the chronograph hand; the second, controlled by the pusher at 10 o'clock, stops the split-seconds hand to read an intermediate time while the chronograph is engaged. By pressing the pusher again, the split-seconds hand rejoins the main chronograph hand. The two hands can be reset by pressing another pusher, located at 4 o’clock.
Framed by a 44.50 x 49.94 x 16.10 mm Carbon TPT tripartite case (bezel, caseband and caseback) with microblasted, polished and satin-finished grade 5 titanium crown and chronograph pushers, the dial of the RM 65-01 stands out for its use of colours to enhance legibility.
Yellow is for time: hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock. Green refers to the date display. Orange identifies the chronograph’s sweep seconds hand as well as the 30-minute and 12-hour totalisers. The split-seconds hand is blue. All these functions are matched with the pushers.
The rapid-winding pusher is crafted from red Quartz TPT button. In fact, red is the colour here associated to the winding mechanism.
This patented and practical solution was developed in addition to the automatic winding and winding with the crown. By pressing 125 times on the pusher at 8 o’clock, the barrel is fully wound to guarantee up to 60 hours of autonomy (without the chronograph running).
The function selector housed in the crown makes it possible to switch, at each push, between winding, date adjustment or hand setting. The selected mode is indicated by a hand situated at 5 o'clock: W for Winding (red), D for Date (green) and H for Hand Setting (yellow).
Other details that can be noticed on the dial are the tachymeter scale on the upper flange and the 1/10th second scale on the inner one.
Developed in partnership with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, the integrated Calibre RMAC4 is equipped with the latest-generation split-seconds mechanism developed by the engineers at Richard Mille.
The new 6-column wheel controls the different levers of the split seconds function and optimises the chronograph’s operation virtually eliminating any initial jump in the chronograph seconds hand while reducing energy consumption.
The RM 65-01 uses a newly designed variable geometry to optimise the rotor’s winding motion. This exclusive Richard Mille design makes it possible to effectively adapt rewinding of the mainspring to the user’s activity level, in sporting or non-sporting environments.
By adjusting the 3-position weight, the rotor’s inertia is modified to either speed up the winding process in the case of leisurely arm movements, or to slow it down during sporting activities.
The RM 65-01 chronograph was subject to a battery of tough tests to demonstrate its correct function in any situation, from shock and drop simulations to accelerated 10-year ageing phases for all its functions, to waterproof tests and magnetic field resistance trials.
Water resistant to 50 metres / 165 feet, the new Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph in Carbon TPT has a price of CHF 270,000 excluding sales taxes. A Red Gold and Carbon TPT version is also available. richardmille.com
Sold out already ?
ReplyDeleteNot a limited edition so it can be ordered 👍🏻😉
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