RM 33-02 TEST PRODUIT
A COMBINATION OF ‘LIFESTYLE’ AND SPORTY STYLE
The RM 33-02 thus achieves a delicate synthesis between so-called ‘lifestyle’ style and sporty style. By marrying the performance of a sports watch with the elegance of a round timepiece, Richard Mille has successfully merged two completely opposing characteristics.
Reinterpreting a model by injecting it with the latest aesthetic and technical innovations is always an exciting challenge. The RM 33-02 project was ultimately much more than a this though, because we actually re-assessed its place in the collection. This is what led to this sporty saloon of a creation, which features a refined interior as well as bodywork that cleverly reveals its sporting heritage.
SUBTLE NICHES WITHIN A GENERALIST BRAND
Despite its limited production output, Richard Mille offers a very large range of watches. Indifferent to the standardised categories put forward by the watchmaking industry, Richard Mille has used its deep and close-knit ties with its customers and fans to identify the fields of technical and aesthetic expression that resonate with them the most. We like to reason like some car manufacturers do, as our approach is very similar. We also have our Formula One, our GT vehicles, our sedans and 4x4s...
We no longer see ourselves as a niche brand, but as a generalist brand with many different niches. These niches are defined with rigorous precision to ensure they are pertinent.
Both the Richard Mille brand and its founder express a shared and marked desire to cover a wide range of worlds. More exclusive and rare than simply ‘luxurious’, the brand is stepping out of its initial spheres of sport and cars to reach far beyond its original territory.
RM 33-02 AUTOMATIC
CALIBRE RMXP1
Skeletonised automatic-winding movement with hours, minutes and off-centre monoblock platinum rotor.
Limited edition of 140 pieces.
POWER RESERVE
Circa 45 hours (± 10%).
BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM
The manufacturing of these components in grade 5 titanium with Titalyt® treatment for the baseplate and black PVD coating for the bridges endows the entire ultra-thin assembly with great rigidity and the precise surface flatness essential for perfect functioning of the gear train as well as stability of the movement.
The skeletonised baseplate and bridges were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to ensure they met rigorous strength requirements.
MONOBLOCK MICRO ROTOR
To ensure the decentralised rotor’s optimal winding efficiency, the monobloc micro rotor has been designed to wind unidirectionally and is manufactured from solid platinum, providing it with an optimal weight-to-volume ratio.
MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTICS
Movement diameter: 33.00 mm
Thickness: 2.60 mm
Number of jewels: 29
Barrel arbour: AP 20 steel
Balance: Glucydur®, 4 arms, moment of inertia 5.75 mg•cm2, angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Balance spring: Nivaflex®
Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)
Two-position stem: Manual winding, hand setting
CASE
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.
The front and back bezels are made of Carbon TPT®, a remarkable material with a unique finish obtained by layering hundreds of sheets of carbon fibres using an automated process that changes the orientation of the weft between layers.
Heated to 120 °C in an autoclave similar to those used for aeronautic components, the material is then ready to be machined at Richard Mille. During this phase, the many layers of Carbon TPT® are revealed, creating random patterns that make each piece unique. The caseband is in 5N red gold.
The tripartite case is assembled with 14 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel, further complemented by integration of the lugs into the case’s torque screw system. The tripartite case is water resistant to 30 metres, ensured by 2 Nitrile O-ring seals.
DIAL
The numerals on the RM 33-02 are created from solid metal, sculpted and mounted on two linked, rigid titanium rails attached directly to the movement.
The dial, which spans the entire calibre, accentuates the volumes while the typography of the oversized numerals adds a dynamic element to the watch’s easy readability.
Thickness: 0.75 mm
SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES AND CASE
This permits better control of the torque applied to screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.
Finishing
Movement
• Baseplate in hand-ground grade 5 titanium, wet sandblasted, Titalyt® treated
• Bridges wet sandblasted, top surface hand polished, grade 5 titanium PVD treated
• Hand-polished locking sections
• Burnished pivots
• Diamond-polished sinks on the bridge side
• Pinions with undercuts
Steel parts
• Microblasted and hand-drawn surfaces
• Sapphire-blasted surfaces
• Anglage and polishing by hand
Wheels
• Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
• Circular-smoothed faces
• Polished angles
• Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
• Minimal corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance.
Other features
FREE-SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
This type of balance wheel represents the ultimate in innovation. It guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shocks and during movement assembly or disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated, and a more accurate and repeatable calibration is possible thanks to 4 adjustable small weights located directly on the balance.
INTERIOR FLANGE
Crafted of 5N PVD treated titanium; hour index points filled with approved luminous material.
CRYSTAL
Bezel side
In sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.00 mm
Caseback
In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.00 mm at the center; outer edges 1.53 mm