Richard Mille RM 037
The new Richard Mille RM 037 features the latest automatic caliber CRMA1, which represents an original construction by the Richard Mille movement designers in Les Breuleux, Switzerland. This automatic winding caliber created from skeletonized grade 5 titanium sports an oversize date at 12 o’clock and a function window at 4 o’ clock. Two subtly shaped pushers are located at 4 and 10 o’clock. The pusher at 4 o’clock allows one to select the winding (W), neutral (N) and hand setting (H) functions with a simple push. An aperture located at 4 o’clock shows the function selected. The second pusher, at 10 o’clock, controls date changes, for instance when one is traveling or needs to correct the date for months with 29, 30 and 31 days.
The RM 037 is fitted with a new stem-crown mechanism, patented by Richard Mille. Traditionally, the crown is attached directly to the movement which means the watchmaker will need to insert the stem at the point of assembly. The direct connection between the movement and crown can therefore sometimes be the cause of damage to the movement in the case of a sharp knock to the crown. The engineers at Richard Mille have been able to find a solution to this problem on the RM 037 and the crown is now integrated in the case. This means the stem is no longer required and the risk of losing the crown or breaking the stem in the movement after a knock is minimalised. The crown is available in polished grade 5 titanium, red gold or white gold with double seal O-ring and collar in Alcryn.
The design and execution of the watch demonstrates a complete conceptual in approach to the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications, rather like the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 where the chassis and the engine are developed in total union. 44 different stamping operations are required for the three main components of the case (bezel, caseband and case back).
The machine tooling process requires 2 days of adjustment for the bezel, 2 days for the caseband and 2 days for the case back. The empty case requires more than 255 tooling operations and more than 5 hours of glazing and polishing in the final stage. The complex shape of the case is obtained thanks to a 5 axis machine. On each case, the “Richard Mille” engraving on the back and situated on the inside curve requires 45 minutes. The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by 2 Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 Spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in steel 316L.
Many details form the signature of the RM 037, such as a power reserve of 50 hours, the rotor with variable geometry, a free sprung balance with variable inertia, the extensive use of Spline screws throughout the movement.
