- Movement
- Manual winding tourbillon
- Size
- 45.00 × 39.70 × 12.60 mm
- Edition
- 15 unique pieces
Overview
Two gem-set serpents holding the tourbillon on a black onyx baseplate
Presented in 2011, the RM 026 places two serpents within the movement. They are not applied ornament: they hold the tourbillon in place. Richard Mille’s own examples are an 18k white gold snake set with rubies and diamonds and a second in 18k white gold set with emeralds and diamonds, with a tongue in red coral. Other versions use precious or semi-precious stones, engraved stones, or enamelled bodies; the scales are engraved by hand, and every watch in the 15-piece edition is unique.
The baseplate is pure black onyx, a cryptocrystalline quartz chalcedony of silicon dioxide. The calibre RM026 is a manual-winding tourbillon with hours, minutes and a power-reserve indicator, described by Richard Mille as inspired by the RM 019.
Key details
Design and engineering
- Serpents as movement componentsThe two snakes hold the tourbillon in position while forming the visible decoration. Hand-engraving of the scales accounts for a substantial part of the work on each piece.
- Black onyx baseplateThe movement is built on a plate of pure black onyx rather than metal.
- Differential power-reserve indicationThe indication uses a differential system connected to the winding barrel, with a printed red line on a moving disc between 10 and 11 o’clock.
- Carbon fibre flangesThe upper flange is black carbon fibre with the hour index set with diamonds; the lower flange is black carbon fibre with the minute index in white.
- Case manufactureThe tonneau form requires 47 stamping operations, 21 of them for forming, and 255 milling operations. Grinding, glazing and polishing take a full day. The bezel side and caseback must seat in the case middle without constraint so the set stones are not stressed — a specification that took a year of development.
- Torque-limiting crownPrevents accidental overwinding of the mainspring barrel.
Specifications
Technical specifications
| Reference | RM 026 |
|---|---|
| Calibre | RM026 |
| Movement | Manual winding tourbillon |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, power-reserve indicator |
| Power reserve | Circa 48 hours, differential indication with a red line on a moving disc between 10 and 11 o’clock |
| Frequency | 21,600 vph (3 Hz) |
| Jewels | 21, set in white gold |
| Balance | Glucydur®, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 10 mg·cm², angle of lift 53° |
| Balance spring | Elinvar by Nivarox® |
| Shock protection | KIF Elastor KE 160 B28 |
| Barrel shaft | Nickel-free Chronifer® (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S) |
| Tourbillon diameter | 12.30 mm |
| Balance wheel diameter | 9.12 mm |
| Movement dimensions | 30.20 × 28.60 mm, thickness 4.97 mm |
| Baseplate | Black onyx |
| Decoration | Two 18k white gold serpents, gem-set, holding the tourbillon; scales hand-engraved |
| Flanges | Upper black carbon fibre with diamond-set hour index; lower black carbon fibre with white minute index |
| Case dimensions | 45.00 × 39.70 × 12.60 mm |
| Case shape | Tonneau, tripartite |
| Case material | 18k white gold, gem-set |
| Case construction | 12 grade 5 titanium spline screws, 316L stainless steel washers, 2 nitrile O-ring seals |
| Crystal | Sapphire (1,800 Vickers), anti-glare treatment both faces, 1.20 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Strap | Alligator |
| Edition | 15 unique pieces |
| Year | 2011 |
Buying with HYPA
Purchase with confidence
- Manufacturer warranty confirmed from the warranty card
- Insured worldwide delivery
- Payment by bank transfer or cryptocurrency
- Registered Australian dealerHYPA International Pty Ltd · Victorian Second-Hand Dealer Licence SHD-0018017.
- Direct specialist supportSpeak with the HYPA team before, during and after the purchase.
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