- 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, where they hold the tourbillon in position rather than sitting on the dial as decoration. 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 each of the 15 pieces 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 place while forming the visible decoration, which is why the hand-engraving of the scales accounts for a substantial share 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 indicationA differential system connected to the winding barrel drives a moving disc between 10 and 11 o’clock, carrying a printed red line.
- Carbon fibre flangesUpper flange in black carbon fibre with the hour index set with diamonds; lower flange in 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, followed by a full day of grinding, glazing and polishing. The bezel side and caseback must seat in the case middle without constraint so the set stones are not stressed.
- 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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