RM 029
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
The RM 029 is a pure lifestyle watch, combining with elegance, exceptional lines, useful functionalities and unmistakable personality. The objective was to improve the ergonomics of the watch by making the date easily legible under all conditions with an oversize date mechanism.
We positioned a large, more conspicuous horizontal display at 4 o’clock with graphic design accents. The skeletonised process of the RM 029 took more than 10 months to finalise, as there could be no compromise in the movement’s strength or ability to withstand shocks.
RM 029 AUTOMATIC
CALIBRE RMAS7
Skeletonised automatic winding movement with hours, minutes, seconds, oversized date and variable-geometry rotor.
POWER RESERVE
Circa 55 hours (± 10%).
BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES MADE OF GRADE 5 TITANIUM
These components in grade 5 titanium with Titalyt® treatment confer great rigidity on the whole assembly, as well as precise surface flatness, essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train.
The oversize date bridge is PVD-treated in black.
The skeletonised baseplate and bridges were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to ensure they met rigorous strength requirements.
OVERSIZE DATE DISPLAY
Semi-instantaneous, placed in a horizontal aperture at 4 o’clock.
VARIABLE-GEOMETRY ROTOR
• Arm in grade 5 titanium
• High palladium content 18K white gold weight segments
• Weight segment with 6 possible positions adjusted by screws in grade 5 titanium
• Ceramic ball bearings
• Unidirectional, anti-clockwise winding direction
This exclusive Richard Mille design makes it possible to effectively adapt rewinding of the mainspring to the user’s activity evel, in sporting or non-sporting environments. By adjusting the six-position rib, 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.
MOVEMENT CHARACTERISTICS
Movement dimensions: 30.25 x 28.45 mm
Thickness: 4.14 mm
Number of jewels: 32
Barrel arbour: AP 20 steel
Balance: Glucydur®, 4 arms, moment of inertia 4.8 mg•cm2, 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)
Stem with three positions: Manual winding, time setting, date adjustment
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, in the manner of the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars, where the chassis and the engine are developed in complete harmony.
For example, a casing ring is no longer used, and the movement is mounted on chassis mounting rubbers (ISO SW) fixed by grade 5 titanium screws. Features such as these are evidence of uncompromising workmanship.
The case of the RM 029 requires 47 preparatory operations as well as 21 striking and 255 milling operations. Machining time is 4 hours.
The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 metres, ensured by 2 Nitrile O-ring seals.The case is assembled using 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
Finishing
Movement
• Baseplate and bridges in hand-ground, wet sandblasted grade 5 titanium with Titalyt® treatment
• Anglage and polishing by hand
• Locking sections polished by hand
• Burnished pivots
• Diamond-polished sinks
• Pinions with undercuts
Steel parts
• Sapphire-blasted surfaces
• Anglage and polishing by hand
• Screw slot and screws bevelled and polished with rounded and polished tip
Wheels
• Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
• Circular-decorated faces
• Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
• Minimal corrections to preserve the geometry of the wheels and their performance
Other features
DOUBLE-BARREL SYSTEM
The double-barrel system helps to improve torque stability over a longer period. This is achieved by distributing the stored energy across two winding barrels instead of one, which increases the number of rotations and reduces pressure on the teeth, bearings and pivots, resulting in better long-term performance.
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 also during movement assembly or disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time.The regulator index is eliminated, and a more accurate and repeatable setting is possible thanks to 4 small adjustable weights located directly on the balance.
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.