Richard Mille is known for technical finesse beyond the norm. Now, the brand is launching the RM 30-01 featuring a declutchable rotor in two versions. Its movement automatically stops the winding as soon as the maximum power reserve is reached. This prevents the barrel from overwinding, which in turn improves accuracy. The RM 30-01 follows in the footsteps of the RM 30 from 2011, which already integrated the feature.
The RM 30-01 comes in two flavours that both measure 42 x 50 x 18 mm. The first has a case back and bezel made of red gold and a titanium caseband. The second has a case made entirely of titanium. The metal allows for the low weight of only 96 grams, which guarantees a high level of wearing comfort. In both, the refinements such as the satin finish and polish of the complex tonneau case stand out. According to the manufacture, it is one of the most difficult cases in the industry to craft.
The construction with spline screws and the embedded pusher above the crown certainly argue in support. The pusher switches the functions of the crown. A corresponding indicator lets the wearer know whether the crown is winding (W), correcting the date (D) or setting the time (H). A domed sapphire completes both the front and the back. While the titanium version draws attention with a blue rubber coating on the crown, the red gold remains true to the classic fusion with black. Two gaskets make the RM 30-01 water-resistant to 50 metres.
On the front, two skeletonised hands with luminous material indicate the time. There is also a second hand with orange accents. The dial itself is of sapphire crystal and so reveals the interior. The display in the centre indicates the remaining power reserve. The colouring of the individual areas also indicates how the winding behaves. In the blue area, the rotor is engaged, while in the red area it is disengaged. The colour also matches the status display at 11 o’clock. In addition, the RM 30-01 offers a large date over two discs, which is located at 4 o’clock. On the periphery, there is also a minute track with indices in orange.
The technical highlight of the RM 30-01 is the disengaging rotor. As soon as the barrel reaches its maximum capacity, the winding stops. As soon as the power reserve falls below 40 hours, the winding switches on again. This prevents overwinding of the mainspring, which can affect the precision of a watch. In addition, the power ratios remain optimal, which again benefits chronometry. All this requires no intervention from the wearer. Unlike the Richard Mille RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal, however, the rotor only disengages. The Rafael Nadal achieves the same result by splitting the rotor in the middle, which means that it no longer generates torque. However, a pusher activates this feature here.
The RMAR2 calibre sits inside the RM 30-01. The individual parts are mounted on a titanium plate that is skeletonized to the bare. The free-sprung balance operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Two barrels together provide a power reserve of 55 hours. The winding rotor can also be fitted to the wearer’s lifestyle via movable segments, which further optimises the mechanism.
The RM 30-01 is an embodiment of the technical ambition that Richard Mille undisputedly pursues. The disengageable rotor is not found with any other watchmaker and underlines the brand’s avant-gardism. The two versions appear on a black rubber strap that comes with a titanium folding clasp. Availability is very limited. The price is 185,000 Swiss francs for the titanium model and 225,000 CHF for the red gold version.
