Overview

Tourbillon and split-seconds in one calibre

The RM 008 combines a tourbillon with a split-seconds chronograph, which Richard Mille describes as a major technical feat and the first new split-seconds tourbillon chronograph design in forty years when the V1 appeared in 2003. The watch runs to more than 500 components, and its movement geometry treats each functional section of the split-seconds mechanism as an independent unit communicating laterally with the others.

This example is cased in 18K white gold, per the WG in its reference string. The photograph shows the case with a blue flange and yellow scale, a red rubber-coated crown and a black rubber strap, the tourbillon at 6 o’clock.

Richard Mille built the model in two versions. The V1 of 2003 uses a grade 5 titanium baseplate; the V2 moved to a carbon nanofibre baseplate, following the RM 006, RM 002-V2, RM 003-V2 and RM 004-V2. The reference string does not say which this is.

Key details

Design and engineering

• Calibre RM008Manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, seconds, split-seconds chronograph, 30-minute totaliser, power-reserve indicator, torque indicator and function indicator. In the V2 the movement measures 30.20 × 28.60 mm with a thickness of 8.90 mm, on 38 jewels at 21,600 vph (3 Hz), with around 70 hours of power reserve.
• BaseplateGrade 5 titanium in the V1; carbon nanofibre in the V2, an isotropic composite moulded under 7,500 N/cm² at 2,000°C giving mechanical, physical and chemical stability in all directions, its ribbed edge specified to keep the baseplate and bridges rigid.
• TourbillonThe carriage is built from 85 parts and weighs 0.34 grams. Tourbillon diameter 12.30 mm; balance wheel 10 mm.
• Split-seconds chronographStarted and stopped by the pusher at 8 o’clock, reset by the pusher at 10 o’clock. Richard Mille records the near-complete elimination of the initial jump in the chronograph seconds hand, achieved through titanium wheels and levers that reduce inertia, and a new generation of split-seconds components that cut energy consumption by roughly 50% by reducing friction at the spindle.
• Torque indicatorDisplays the tension of the mainspring, allowing the chronometric behaviour of the movement to be optimised. With the power-reserve and function indicators it accounts for three of the dial’s displays beyond the time and chronograph.
• Free-sprung balanceGlucydur®, two arms, four adjusting screws, moment of inertia 10 mg·cm², angle of lift 53°, with an Elinvar balance spring by Nivarox and KIF Elastor KE 160 shock protection.
• Gear-teeth profileBarrel and third-wheel pinion with a central involute profile at a 20° pressure angle, which Richard Mille specifies for torque transmission and for compensating differences between wheel centres.
• FinishingHand anglage and polishing, hand-polished locking sections, sapphire-blasted milled sections and surfaces, lapped and polished contact points, burnished pivots.

Specifications

Technical specifications

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Related references

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Richard Mille · RM 07-04 Nelly Korda

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