BONBON
REVISITING CHILDHOOD SERIOUSLY
Richard Mille has bitten into a juicy new realm of graphic, emotional and chromatic expression. The Richard Mille Bonbon Collection comprises 10 models, each produced in an edition of 30 pieces. Together, they articulate a sweet and tangy new vision of watchmaking. Composed of candies, pastries and fruit, these 10 horological treats once again subvert existing conventions, habits and expectations.
'Bonbon - just saying the word is enough to make you smile. It manages to convey a combination of pleasure, openness and sharing all at once. This collection is disruptive, elegant, daring and playful. In a word: creative! For me it was truly an opportunity to let loose and have fun revisiting childhood. Nonetheless, it was an ambitiously daring project entailing 18 months of development, and entirely faithful to the spirit of Richard Mille, a serious brand that’s not afraid to break with tradition.'
Cécile Guenat, Artistic Director
SWEET SIDE OF WATCHMAKING
Drawing on avowed expertise in the area of materials, colour and form, Richard Mille has taken the lid off a candy jar to reveal two kinds of confections for the wrist. Based on three of the brand’s iconic models, the RM 07-03, RM 16-01 and RM 37-01 offer a passage back to childhood with the simple pleasure of slightly regressive and thoroughly tasty memories, to be enjoyed without moderation. The 10 models display a total of 60 zingingly bright and pop colours across the six Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT® cases (including the world premiere of a new turquoise hue), the tiny candies that adorn the Fruits line, and the four two-tone ceramic cases as well as the decoration gracing the Sweets line.
A SERIOUS PRODUCT
Despite its disruptive appearance, the Richard Mille Bonbon Collection is directly descended from earlier Richard Mille creations. Take colour—the brand is continuously expanding its range. Forays into the spectrum of greens, crimson, yellow and even pink are possible thanks to a mastery of materials, many of them exclusive, that is a Richard Mille specialty. The brand’s understanding of how tinted ceramics behave, expertise in layering materials like Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT® and constant improvements to the setting of coloured gemstones are all ingredients in these confectionary recipes, which are singularly imaginative, playful, distinctive and, most importantly, appetising. Lastly, a finely honed eye for detail makes these 10 models stunning graphic compositions that offer a wealth of shades and textures appearing in every component of the watch.
FRUITS LINE
The Fruits line is a homage to the very concept of sweet temptation in six delectable flavours: Lemon and Strawberry (RM 16-01 Citron et Fraise), Blueberry and Litchi (RM 07-03 Myrtille et Litchi), Kiwi and Cherry (RM 37-01 Kiwi et Cerise). In addition to colour-gradient cases made of Carbon TPT® combined with Quartz TPT® of a different hue for each model is an all-new turquoise colour.
Painted in acrylics and lacquered by hand, the 3,000 miniature sculptures integrated in this collection stand out from the dials, turning each one into a sachet full of tiny candies. To further enhance their realism, a ‘sugar coating’ effect was achieved using powdered enamel and the fine sand employed in hourglasses. Tart jelly ribbons, twisty lollipops, candy citrus segments, gumdrops and other surprises are positioned on plates of grade 5 titanium that are machined and skeletonised like horological components.
SWEETS LINE
The Sweets collection comprises four models, all with two-tone ceramic cases that set off their grand feu enamel or black-chromed titanium confections. The RM 07-03 Cupcake, RM 07-03 Marshmallow, RM 37-01 Sucette and RM 16-01 Réglisse are colourful and delectable, evoking a whole spectrum of flavours. Better yet, the textures you expect to encounter upon biting into these sweets are conjured visually thanks to a mastery of enamelwork that succeeds in evoking sensations like softness, crunchiness, and fluffiness.
The creamy quality of the TZP ceramic case is enhanced by the varied matt and polished effects of elements on the dial. Black, a foundational colour in the technical vocabulary of Richard Mille, is presented in a whole new light here, as a giant roll of liquorice that occupies the entire surface of a dial. Here, the most satisfactory solution for obtaining the liquorice shape of the RM 16-01 was a stamping operation, followed by a black chrome coating that lends this piece its spot-on colour and texture.
CALIBRE CRMA1
Skeletonised automatic-winding in-house movement with hours, minutes, adjustable rotor geometry, oversize date and function selector.
Power reserve: Circa 50 hours (± 10%).
Dimensions: 52.65 mm x 34.40 mm x 13.08 mm.
CALIBRE CRMA2
Skeletonised automatic-winding in-house movement with hours, minutes and adjustable rotor geometry.
Power reserve: Circa 50 hours (± 10%).
Dimensions: 45.32 mm x 32.30 mm x 11.93 mm.
CALIBRE RM16-01
Skeletonised automatic-winding movement with hours, minutes, date and adjustable rotor geometry.
Power reserve: Circa 50 hours (± 10%).
Dimensions: 50.20 mm x 38.00 mm x 9.88 mm.
BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES MADE OF GRADE 5 TITANIUM
Microblasted grade 5 titanium with an electroplasma treatment gives great rigidity to the baseplate, as well as precise surface flatness which is essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. The bridges are also in grade 5 titanium, microblasted and electroplasma treated.
The skeletonised baseplate and the bridges were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to ensure optimal strength requirements.
VARIABLE-GEOMETRY ROTOR
Variable-geometry rotors have been incorporated into these calibres to make it possible to effectively adapt rewinding of the mainspring to the user’s activity level. The setting can be modified by adjusting weights that can be adjusted and fixed in place by spline screws. The inertia of the movement is increased when the weights are closer to each other; the barrel then rewinds more quickly. If the weights are positioned at the extremities of the rotor, the inertia is decreased and the barrel winds more slowly.
RM 07-01 and RM 37-01 rotor specifications:
- Heavy external outside edge and heavy edge ring in 5N red gold
- Weight segment in heavy metal
- Ceramic ball bearings
- Automatic OneWay® ceramic winding system with ball bearings
- Bidirectional winding system
RM 16-01 rotor specifications:
- Arm in grade 5 titanium
- High palladium content 18K white gold weight segment
- Weight segment with 6 positions adjusted by screws in grade 5 titanium
- Ceramic ball bearings
- Unidirectional; anti-clockwise winding direction
FREE-SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
The free-sprung balance offers better reliability in the event of shocks, movement assembly or disassembly, and also guarantees 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.
GEAR TEETH PROFILE
The entire going train of the RM 07-03 and RM 37-01, 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.
Finishing
Movement
• Microblasted anglage
• Microblasted-milled section
• Microblasted sinks
• Electroplasma treatment for the baseplate and bridges
Steel parts
• Satin-finished surfaces
• Hand-polished anglage
• Hand-polished sinks
• Burnished sections
• Lapped and polished ends
• Burnished pivots
• Post faces polished
Wheels
• Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
• Diamond-polished angles
• Circular-finished faces
• Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
Other features
RM 07-03
– Movement dimensions: 29.90 x 22.00 mm
– Thickness: 4.92 mm
– Jewels: 25
– Balance: CuBe, 4 arms, 4 setting screws, angle of lift 50°
– Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
– Balance spring: AK3
– Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
RM 37-01
– Movement dimensions: 28.00 x 22.90 mm
– Thickness: 5,79 mm
– Jewels: 25
– Balance: CuBe, 4 arms and 4 setting screws, angle of lift 50°
– Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
– Balance spring: AK3
– Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
– Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)
RM 16-01
– Movement dimensions: 30.25 x 28.45 mm
– Thickness: 4.44 mm
– Jewels: 32
– Barrel arbour: in AP 20 steel
– Balance: Glucydur®, 4 arms, angle of lift 53°
– Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
– Balance spring: elinvar by Nivarox®
– Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
– Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)