This collection was created by Cécile Guenat, Creative and Development Director. She met this challenge by overcoming technical obstacles, freeing herself from consensus and establishing a unique and resolutely contemporary style.
The ten variations on the RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman weave together the supreme technicity specific to Richard Mille and the sculptural universe of fine jewellery.
Talisman, a name that evokes nothing less than magical protection. This collection was born from a magnetic alchemy at the intersection of Tribal arts and Art Deco.
'My work is the fruit of very different influences. In designing this collection, I drew not only on Art Deco, but on the Tribal arts—masks, African sculptures, etc.—whose impact on all great modern and contemporary artists has been enormous. The contrasts, geometry, and sacred character of these objects fascinate me all the more because they prefigured today’s design through the fusion of content and form,’ confides Cécile Guenat.
Automatic winding tourbillon movement
Hours, minutes and variable-geometry rotor
Power reserve : Circa 50 hours (± 10%).
Limited suite of 10 variations, each produced in an edition of just 5 pieces.
The gem-set dials mounted at the centre of the movement suggest masks, tiaras, even ritual artefacts. The dials evoke two distinct universes: one more plant-based and the other more urban.
The shape of the dials, already defined by the decision to crown the tourbillon based on the design of the baseplate, left many options for setting and engraving the case. A formal play that extends the lines of the dial to the bezel, the case and the caseback.
Each dial, a mere 0.9 mm in thickness, is hand set with mother-of-pearl, onyx and diamonds. This component is an immense technical challenge because of the many different finishing operations required: sandblasting, polishing, setting... and all this in a very small area arranged on several levels.
- Movement dimensions: 30.70 x 23.70 mm
- Thickness: 6.20 mm
- Number of jewels: 23
- Balance: CuBe, 4 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia of 7.5 mg.cm2, 50º angle of lift
- Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Balance spring: AK 3
- Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
CASE
The 10 variations on the setting, snow and grain, bring together different textures, diameters and faceting, finding free expression all over the case and bezel of the watch, whereas the caseback is engraved with matte bands. The polishing stage enhances the desired result of the different gem settings and brings out the contrasts.
PRECIOUS TECHNICITY
The brand launches its first automatic tourbillon calibre entirely developed by its own teams. This 8th movement is equipped with Richard Mille’s flagship complication and every hallmark feature of the brand.
At 6.2 mm thick and made of grade 5 titanium, the movement weighs only 8 grams. A variable geometry rotor has been incorporated at the heart of the tourbillon calibre. The result, despite being highly technical and robust, is splendidly feminine in its curves and transparency.
BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES MADE OF GRADE 5 TITANIUM
Microblasted grade 5 titanium with PVD treatment gives great rigidity to the baseplate, as well as precise surface flatness which is essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. Bridges are also in grade 5 titanium, microblasted and with black electroplasma treated.
The skeletonised baseplate and bridges have been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimise their resistance capacities.
GEM-SET ROTOR WITH VARIABLE GEOMETRY
- Heavy external outside edge and heavy edge ring in 5N red gold
- Weight segment in heavy metal
- Ceramic ball bearing
- OneWay® automatic winding system with ceramic ball bearings
- Bidirectional winding system
This rotor with variable geometry enables winding to be adjusted to the owner’s activity level. Adjusting the two weights, which can be slid sideways into the correct position and fixed in place by spline screws, modifies the setting.
Inertia of the movement is optimal when the two weights are closer to each other, and the barrel rewinds more quickly. If the weights are positioned at either end of the rotor, the inertia is considerably reduced, resulting in the barrel winding more slowly.
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 small, adjustable weights located directly on the balance.
Finishing
• Hand-polished anglage
• Hand-polished stepped bevelling
• Microblasted milled section
• Microblasted sinks
• PVD treatment for the baseplate and bridges
• Satin-finished surfaces
• Hand-polished anglage
• Hand-polished sinks
• Burnished sections
• Diamond-polished sinks
• Circular decorations on the front surfaces
• Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
• Minimal corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance
Other features
This type of barrel provides the following advantages:
The entire going train of the watch, the primary transmitter of power through the movement, utilises a special profile for the teeth of the wheels. Developed specifically for Richard Mille’s in-house calibres, the wheels employ a 20° pressure angle. This system equalises any discrepancies that might arise between the centres of each wheel, for instance, during thermal changes and normal use, and promotes excellent torque transmission to the balance wheel, thus supporting excellent chronometric characteristics.
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.