Richard Mille RM 029 Automatic with Oversize Date

The new automatic RM 029 from Swiss watch manufacture Richard mille is equipped with the latest skeletonized caliber RMAS7 with oversize date indication. The skeletonization process of this novel caliber took more than 10 months to finalize, as there could be no compromise in the movement’s strength or ability to withstand shocks.

Much attention was given to testing numerous versions of the skeletonized titanium baseplate before the final pattern of cutaways was chosen. Within its case dimensions of 48 mm x 39.70 mm x 12.60 mm beats an automatic movement with oversize date mechanism inspired by the RM 011 and a rotor with variable geometry.

This exclusive Richard Mille design allows the rewinding of the mainspring to be adapted most effectively to the user’s activity level within sports or leisure environments. The arms of the rotor are in grade 2 titanium with specific adjustable ribs made of 18k white gold; the weight segment along the outer edge is white gold, with the rotor’s ball bearings made from a special and highly durable ceramic material.

The baseplate, bridges and balance-cock are made of grade 5 titanium with Titalyt® treatment. This provides the whole assembly great rigidity, as well as precise surface flatness which is essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. The power reserve bridge is black PVD treated. Special attention to the elimination of problems caused by external shock is accentuated by the balance wheel being given Incabloc protection on both dial and movement side. In its entirety, the caliber RMAS7, with 32 jewels and beating at 4Hz, was specially manufactured to offer exceptional timekeeping properties. It has a free sprung balance with variable inertia. This type of balance wheel represents the ultimate in innovation. It guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during movement assembly and disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time.

The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable adjustment is possible thanks to 4 small adjustable weights located directly on the balance.

The design and execution of the entire watch bears witness to a complete conceptual approach regarding the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to an extremely rigorous specification, 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 4 titanium screws. Features such as these are evidence of uncompromising workmanship. The case requires 47 stamping operations to obtain its final design. Machining takes more than 4 hours and 255 milling operations, the finishing work requires a full day. Then each case has to undergo an accurate quality control during 45 minutes. The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by three Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel. Cutting edge technology combined with elegance, exceptional lines, useful functionality and unmistakable personality: the RM 029 automatic typifies Richard Mille’s innovative design with the rotor and its variable inertia, whilst introducing new devices such as the oversize date.

Technical details
Model: Richard Mille RM 029 Automatic With Oversize Date
Tonneau case – available in titanium, 18k white gold or red gold.
Dimensions: 48 mm x 39.70 mm x 12.60 mm.

Movement
– CALIBER RMAS7: skeletonized automatic movement with hours, minutes, seconds, oversize date and adjustable rotor geometry.
– Power reserve: Circa 55 hours.
– Oversize date display: Semi-instantaneous, placed in a horizontal aperture at 4 o’clock.
– Dimensions of movement: 30.25 mm x 28.45 mm
– Thickness: 5.83 mm
– Number of jewels: 32
– Barrel arbor – in 20AP steel
– Balance: Glucydur, 4 arms, inertia moment 4.8 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53º
– Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
– Balance spring: Elinvar
– Shock protection: Incabloc 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
– Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)
– Stem with three positions: manual winding, time setting, date adjustment

– Free sprung balance balance with variable inertia: This type of balance wheel represents the ultimate in innovation. It guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during movement assembly and disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable adjustment is possible thanks to 4 adjustable small weights located directly on the balance.

– Crown:In grade 5 micro-blasted titanium, with double seal O-ring and collar in Alcryn.

– Rotor with variable geometry
– Arm in grade 2 titanium
– Flange in grade 2 titanium
– 6-positional adjustment via grade 5 titanium screws
– Ribs in 18k white gold, high palladium content
– Weight segment in white gold
– Ceramic ball bearings
– Unidirectional; anti-clockwise winding direction

This exclusive RICHARD MILLE design allows the rewinding of the mainspring to be adapted most effectively to the user’s activity level within sports or leisure environments. By adjusting the six positional setting of the rib’s placement, the rotor’s inertia is modified, either speeding up the winding process in the case of minimal arm and hand movements, or slowing it down when intensive activity sports are pursued.

Double barrel system: The double barrel system contributes to the torque stability improvement over a longer period. This is achieved by using more rotations of the barrel, thereby reducing pressure and wear on the teeth, bearings and pivots, providing improved long-term performance.

Bottom plate, bridges and balance cock made of titanium: These components in grade 5 titanium with Titalyt® treatment. This provides the whole assembly great rigidity, as well as precise surface flatness which is essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. The power reserve bridge is black PVD treated. The skeletonized baseplate and the bridges were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to insure optimal strength requirements.

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.

Case
The design and execution of the entire watch bears witness to a complete conceptual approach regarding the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to an extremely rigorous specification, 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 4 titanium screws. Features such as these are evidence of uncompromising workmanship.

The case of the RM 029 requires 47 swaging operations including 21 striking, 255 milling operations. The machining lasts 4 hours. Concerning the finishing work, 1 full day is required. The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by three Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel. Spile screws in grade 5 titanium 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.

Interior flanges(upper and lower): In carbon fiber, with index points filled with approved luminous material. Minute flange in black carbon fiber.

Dial
In sapphire (thickness: 0.40 mm) with anti-glare treatment (both sides), protected by 8 silicon braces inserted in the upper and lower grooves.

Crystal
Bezel side: In sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.20 mm
Case back: In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: at the center 1 mm and outer edges 1.73 mm

Finishing

Movement
– Bottom plate and bridges in hand-ground, wet sandblasted grade 5 titanium with Titalyt® treatment
– Burnished pivots
– Pinions with undercuts
– Sandblasted and rhodium-plated, beveled wheels (before cutting)
– Minimum correction applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance

Steel parts
– Sapphire blasted and hand drawn surfaces
– Screw slot and screws beveled and polished with rounded and polished tip