Richard Mille RM 33-02 Automatic

Overseen by Julien Boillat, the Richard Mille watch design teams have reinterpreted the brands first ultra-thin round watch, RM 033 from 2011: The exterior decoration, case and dial have been reworked. The taut lines of the case combine the curves of a tonneau shape and the elegance of a round form with a subtle allusion to sporty style in the design.

The first round Carbon TPT automatic watch exhibits a Carbon TPT bezel and caseback alongside a satin-finished red gold caseband. The design of the strap prolongs that of the two indentations positioned unusually at 6 and 12 o’clock in an original way.

The RM 33-02 Automatic is powered by the skeletonised RMXP1 calibre in grade-5 titanium with a power reserve of 45 hours. Regulated by a variable-inerta balance oscillating at 3 Hz, this calibre is wound by an off-centre platinum micro-rotor that considerably reduces the movement’s total thickness to 2.60 mm. The wet sandblasted and Titalyt-treatetd baseplate, the mircoblasted, stretched and satin-finished surfaces, and the hand produced anglage accentuate volumes by playing with shadow and light thanks to the highly graphic skeletonization.

The free-sprung balance with variable inertia guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shocks and during movements assembly or disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated, and a more accurate and repeatable calibration is possible thanks to four adjustable small weights located directly on the balance.

To ensure the decentralised rotor’s optimal winding efficiency, the monobloc micro rotor has been designed to wind bi-directionally and is manufactured from solid platinum, providing it with an optimal weight-to-volume ratio. The hour-markers in 5N gold are fixed on two rigid titanium rails between the flange and the movement. The oversized numerals add to the watch’s easy readability. The RM 33-02 Automatic is available as a limited edition of 140 pieces.

www.richardmille.com