Overview

A honeycomb baseplate from supersonic wing research

The RM 021 was achieved in 2009 and is the first watch created with a baseplate of titanium and honeycombed orthorhombic titanium aluminide with a carbon nanofibre core. It marks the point at which air, space and supersonic speed entered Richard Mille’s imagery.

Orthorhombic titanium aluminides are a group of alloys developed from the main class of titanium aluminides, with a crystalline molecular structure ordered on the orthorhombic phase of Ti₂AlNb. Their use in a honeycombed geometrical pattern was originally researched by NASA as a core material for supersonic aircraft wings, where resistance to extreme temperature and torsion is paramount. In that honeycombed form the alloy offers unparalleled stiffness, a low thermal expansion coefficient and exceptional torsion resistance.

Richard Mille describes the material as a long-standing ambition, and the challenge of using it as almost insurmountable against relatively small potential gains — which is rather the point of the exercise.

Seen from the dial side, the baseplate takes the trench-like V-shaped profile of a flying-wing aircraft, its wing tips sitting higher than the central body. The winding barrel and tourbillon are placed in the central depth of that structure, balanced on light bridges with four arms on two sides.

Key details

Design and engineering

• Calibre RM021Manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, power-reserve indicator, torque indicator and function selector. The movement measures 30.20 × 28.60 mm with a thickness of 6.35 mm, on 27 jewels at 21,600 vph (3 Hz), with circa 70 hours of power reserve. The tourbillon is 12.30 mm in diameter.
• Power-reserve displayIndicated on the power-reserve barrel located between 11 and 12 o’clock.
• Torque indicatorShows the tension of the mainspring, with a reference measurement in dNmm.
• Function selectorA push-button at the centre of the crown selects winding, neutral and hand-setting in the manner of a car’s gearbox; a hand at 4 o’clock displays the selection as W, N or H.
• BalanceGlucydur®, two arms and four setting screws, balance wheel diameter 10 mm, moment of inertia 10 mg·cm², angle of lift 53°, with an Elinvar balance spring by Nivarox and KIF Elastor KE 160 B28 shock protection. The jewels are set in white gold chatons and the barrel shaft is nickel-free Chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S).
• Spline screws in grade 5 titaniumUsed for the bridges and the case, allowing better control of the torque applied during assembly, so that the screws are unaffected by handling during assembly or disassembly.
• Honeycombed orthorhombic titanium aluminideOrdered on the orthorhombic phase of Ti₂AlNb, researched by NASA as a supersonic wing core material, and specified here for stiffness, low thermal expansion and torsion resistance.
• Flying-wing baseplate geometryThe V-shaped profile places the wing tips above the central body, with the winding barrel and tourbillon set into the central depth.
• Four-arm bridgesThe barrel and tourbillon balance on light bridges with four arms on two sides.
• SuccessorThe RM 021 set the design path for the RM 022 Aerodyne Dual Time Zone, which carries the same composite baseplate construction with a dual time zone indicator added.

Specifications

Technical specifications

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Related references

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Richard Mille · RM 020 Ti

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