AnthonyTsai
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Introducing the Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 27-02 Rafael Nadal
Watchmaking must be consistently challenged, both technically and artistically. With the RM 27-02, Richard Mille presents a new uncompromising caliber that reinterprets the art and methods of watch design in the 21st century.
RICHARD MILLE TOURBILLON RM 27-02 RAFAEL NADAL
It is in the run-up to the 114th French Open, where emblematic Richard Mille partner Rafael Nadal will be vying for his tenth title, that the Swiss Jura brand is unveiling its new manual winding tourbillon caliber dedicated to tennis.
Following research by Richard Mille’s engineers into NTPT® carbon—a material with remarkable mechanical properties and excellent resistance to micro-cracks—the brand is unveiling the very first skeletonised baseplate known as “unibody”, in which the caseband and baseplate have been fused into a single piece, removing the need to attach the two components together. This structure, inspired by the chassis of racing cars, enhances rigidity and resistance to impacts when used in watchmaking.
A major watchmaking and technological breakthrough machined at ProArt, the unibody baseplate is a technical feat that requires in-depth knowledge and mastery of micro-machining new materials—a concept that Richard Mille has nurtured since the very beginning.
The sculptural baseplate supports the bridges in grade 5 titanium, which are highly original in terms of their three-dimensional construction, their finishes (beveled, shot-blasted and satin-brushed by hand) and the complexity of their titanium and carbon composition. These bridges support an impressive mechanical heart capable of running for over 70 hours without detriment to its regularity thanks to a rapidly rotating barrel that delivers constant power from the beginning to the end of operation.
Such innovations are not limited to the heart of the watch, as demonstrated by the categorical absence of compromise on the case. Dressed in black and white, it inevitably catches the eye with its unique appearance.
Working with North Thin Ply Technology, Richard Mille’s engineers have developed a highly original material known as TPT® quartz, composed of hundreds of layers of quartz filaments piled on top of each other. These fibers are exceptionally resistant to high temperatures and are characterized by extreme strength and transparency to electromagnetic waves.
No thicker than 45 microns, the silica layers are inserted between layers of NTPT® carbon by an automatic positioning system that changes the orientation of the fibers between each layer by 45°. Heated to 120°C in an autoclave similar to those used to make aeronautical components, the material is then ready for machining at ProArt. During this phase, the various layers of TPT® quartz and NTPT® carbon are revealed at random, ensuring that each machined component is as unique as the heart of the baseplate, which is machined using the same process.
The bezel and solid case back in NTPT® carbon/TPT® quartz are then attached to the unibody baseplate using 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium. A sapphire crystal with anti-glare treatment adds the final finishing touch to this unique combination.
Like the RM 006, RM 008 and RM 012 tourbillons, the RM 27-02 belongs to the elite circle of Richard Mille watches destined to leave their mark on their era.
With a production run of just 50 models, the RM 27-02 is a rare product reserved for those closest to the brand. As usual, Rafael Nadal will carry out the ultimate approval test by wearing this new caliber in his international matches.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TOURBILLON RICHARD MILLE
RM 27-02 RAFAEL NADAL
Limited edition of 50 pieces.
CALIBER RM27-02: manual winding tourbillon movement with hours and minutes.
Dimensions: 47.77 x 39.70 x 12.25 mm.
Weight of the movement: circa 3.35 g.
MAIN FEATURES
POWER RESERVE
70 hours (±10%).
UNIBODY BASEPLATE IN NTPT CARBON®
The baseplate of the RM 27-02 is machined from NTPT® carbon. This material consists of multiple layers of parallel filaments obtained by separating carbon threads. With a maximum thickness of 30 microns, the NTPT® carbon layers are saturated with resin then piled onto a special machine that modifies the orientation of the fibers between each layer by 45°. Once it has been heated to 120°C and subjected to a pressure of 6 bars, the NTPT® carbon is machined at Proart, Richard Mille’s parts factory. NTPT® carbon is renowned for its excellent resistance to micro-cracks and splits.
The baseplate of the RM 27-02 is an integral part of the case. For the first time at Richard Mille, the case middle has been removed. The bezel and case back are assembled directly on the baseplate, which is described as “unibody”, a type of racing-car construction that ensures maximum rigidity and greater resistance to impacts.
The skeletonised NTPT® carbon baseplate is a feat of machining. A master component of the RM 27-02, it has been subjected to a full battery of extreme approval tests in order to optimize its mechanical properties.
BRIDGES IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM
Grade 5 titanium is a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90% titanium, 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium.
This combination further increases its mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries.
Like the baseplate, the bridges of the RM27-02 caliber were subjected to intensive and comprehensive approval tests in order to optimize their resistance properties.
FREE SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
A free sprung balance with variable inertia and a terminal-curve spring guarantees greater reliability in case of impacts and during movement assembly and disassembly, thus achieving better chronometric results over time.
FAST ROTATING BARREL (6 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours)
This type of barrel has the following advantages:
- The phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion is significantly diminished and performance is thus enhanced,
- It provides an excellent delta of the mainspring curve. The choice is determined by the ideal power reserve / performance / regularity ratio
BARREL PAWL WITH PROGRESSIVE RECOIL
This device permits an appreciable winding gain (circa 20 %), especially during the start of winding.
It also promotes the even distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.
WINDING BARREL TEETH AND CENTRE-WHEEL PINION WITH CENTRAL INVOLUTE PROFILE
The central involute profile of the winding barrel teeth provides an optimal pressure angle of 20°, which promotes effective rotary motion and compensates for possible variations in the operation of the going train.
This, in turn, ensures excellent torque transmission and a distinct improvement in performance.
CLOSURE OF THE BARREL COVER USING EXCENTRIC SCREWS
This characteristic ensures the cover stays in place even when considerable pressure is applied.
SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES
This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.
OTHER FEATURES
- Movement dimensions: 29.30 mm x 29.60 mm
- Thickness: 7.10 mm
- Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm
- Balance diameter: 10.00 mm
- Number of jewels: 19
- Balance: in Glucydur, with 2 arms and 4 setting screws
- Moment of inertia: 11.50 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°
- Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)
- Balance spring: in ELINVAR by Nivarox®
- Shock absorbers: Kif Elastor by KE 160 B28
- Barrel shafts: in nickel-free Chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr13 + S), with the following characteristics: stainless, non-magnetic, tempered.
CASE
The bezel and case back of the RM 27-02 are made from NTPT® carbon and TPT® Quartz, a groundbreaking new material designed and developed by Richard Mille in partnership with North Thin Ply Technology.
TPT® Quartz is composed of over 600 layers of parallel filaments obtained from separating silica threads. These layers, no thicker than 45 microns, are saturated in a white resin developed specially for Richard Mille, then inserted between layers of NTPT® carbon using an automatic positioning system that changes the orientation of the fibers between each layer by 45°. It is then heated to 120°C and subjected to a pressure of 6 bars in an autoclave similar to those used to make aeronautical components, before the material is ready for machining on a CNC machine at Proart, Richard Mille’s case factory. Machining unveils the various TPT® Quartz layers at random, ensuring that each machined component is unique.
Quartz fibers are generally used for very high performance applications due to their resistance to high temperatures, their strength, and their transparency to electromagnetic waves.
The bezel and case back are assembled directly on the NTPT® carbon baseplate. The case, which is water-resistant to 50 meters thanks to two Nitril O-rings, is assembled using 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and 316L stainless steel washers.
SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE CASE
Due to their design, these screws offer better control of the torque applied to them during assembly.
They therefore remain unaffected by the physical manipulations involved in assembly and dismantling, and age well.
TORQUE LIMITING CROWN
This additional security system prevents from accidental overwinding, which could cause damage to the winding stem or putting extreme pressure on the mainspring barrel.
FLANGE
Upper flange in carbon nanotube.
CRYSTAL
In sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (2 sides).
Thickness: 1.20 mm and 4.09 mm at the edges.
FINISHING
MOVEMENT
- Gradual hand-polished beveling
- Shot-blasted milled sections
- Stretched upper surfaces
STEEL PARTS
- Shot-blasted surfaces
- Satin-brushed surfaces
- Hand-polished beveling
- Long strokes
- Matt “brouillé” strokes
- Long strokes on the sides
- Polished sinks
PROFILE-TURNING
- Lapped and polished ends
- Burnished pivots
WHEELS
- Diamond-polished sinks
- Circular decorations on the front surfaces
- Rhodium-plating (before cutting the teeth)
- Minimal corrections are made to the wheels to preserve their geometry and overall performance
This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2015-05-25 12:28:18
