The RM 61-01 was unveiled in 2014 and is a younger sibling of the tourbillon RM 59-01 worn by Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, who has been a member of the Richard Mille family since 2012. This ‘Ultimate Edition’ heralds the last issue of this very uniquely shaped model.
For the RM 61-01 Ultimate Edition, TZP ceramic that was used on bezel and caseback before will be replaced by new materials like Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT – the latter also featured on the caseband. The many layers of silica-based Quartz TPT, no more than 45 microns thick, are interlaced with layers of Carbon TPT as they are stacked by an automatic compiling system that changes the orientation of the fibres by 45 degree between each layer. Heated to 120 degrees at a pressure of 6 bar in an autoclave, the 600-layer composites are ready for machining at the Richard Mille factory. Milling and turning generate random and unique patterns of Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT for each piece. A crown protector in Carbon TPT eliminates rubbing against the wrist during sporting activities.
The skeletonized calibre RMUL2 is crafted of PVD-treated grade 5 titanium, traversing balance bridges in black-galvanised and hand-painted grade 5 titanium and a free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertia oscillating at a frequency of 4 Hz. A double-barrel system divides the stored energy in two winding barrels to reduce pressure and friction on the teeth, the bearings and the pivot, resulting in improved long-term performance.
The manual winding movement offers a power reserve of 55 hours and a high impact resistance tested of impacts of over 5.000 g’s. The RM 61-01 Ultimate Edition Yohan Blake is limited to 150 pieces.