The new RM 65-01 is the most complex timepiece ever to leave the Richard Mille workshops

 

 

A tour of Richard Mille’s most complicated automatic calibre

Richard Mille Debuts RM 65-01 – Richard Mille’s most complicated watch

The new RM 65-01 watch from Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille is a highly complex sports timepiece designed for everyday use and for any situation. The chronograph was subject to a battery of rigorous 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.

The culmination of some five years of development, this automatic split-seconds chronograph is the most complex timepiece ever to leave the Richard Mille workshops. This watch model is so valuable for its combination of several additional functions, a very specific architecture and an extremely high-end aesthetic.

The skeletonised automatic winding movement’s list of technical complications includes hours, minutes, seconds at 6 o’clock, date, split-seconds chronograph with 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, function selector, rapid winding and variable-geometry rotor.

The baseplate and the bridges are crafted of grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90% grade 5 titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination further increases the material’s mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries. The baseplate of the calibre RMAC4 has been optimised to for an extremely low weight / resistance ratio.

The skeletonised baseplate and the bridges were subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimise their resistance capacities.

 

The modern architecture of this movement enables for the consistent and rational arrangement of its constituent parts, avoiding unnecessary superimpositions and permitting the best possible use of the functions thanks to technical solutions.

The RMAC4 calibre is equipped with the latest-generation split-seconds mechanism developed by the engineers at Richard Mille. The 6-column wheel ensures optimised simultaneous movement, maximal function locking, and greater adjustment durability.