Richard Mille RM 056 Sapphire — reference RM 056
Size
50.50 × 42.70 × 19.25 mm
Edition
5 pieces

Overview

Three-part sapphire case with a tourbillon split-seconds chronograph

The RM 056 Tourbillon Split Seconds Competition Chronograph Felipe Massa Sapphire was shown at SIHH in 2012 in a limited edition of five pieces. Its front bezel, caseband and back bezel are each cut and milled from solid blocks of sapphire.

The movement is a manual winding tourbillon indicating hours and minutes with a split-seconds chronograph, power reserve, torque and function indicators. To offset the mass of the sapphire case the calibre was reduced in weight by 20% against the RM 008 movement it derives from, bringing it under ten grams and requiring more than 400 new parts. This execution carries red and yellow scale markings on a white strap.

Key details

Edition5 pieces
CaseSapphire, three parts, milled from solid blocks
Movement weightUnder 10 g

Design and engineering

  • Sapphire caseFront bezel, caseband and back bezel are each cut and milled from solid blocks of sapphire. Sapphire is aluminium oxide, rated 9 on the Mohs scale and 1,800 Vickers, and can be worked only with diamond-tipped tooling. Richard Mille states the structure took years of research and testing to satisfy the demands of strength and comfort, and that this was the first time a case design of this complexity had been realised in the material.
  • Skeletonised grade 5 titanium baseplateThe alloy is 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium, specified for its rigidity, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, and for the low-friction support it gives the going train.
  • Weight reduction programmeThe calibre’s mass was cut by 20% relative to the RM 008 movement, which required the reworking or new manufacture of over 400 parts. The revised movement weighs under ten grams.
  • Split-seconds chronographThe split-seconds mechanism was reworked for reduced friction and improved long-term reliability. A function indicator shows which operation the crown is set to perform; a torque indicator shows the tension available in the barrel.
  • Fast-rotating barrel and variable-inertia balanceA fast-rotating winding barrel delivers a more constant force to the going train; the variable-inertia balance is adjusted by weights rather than a regulator index.
  • Case sealingTwo nitrile O-ring seals give a water resistance of 50 m. The case is assembled with grade 5 titanium screws and steel washers.

Specifications

Technical specifications

RM 056 Felipe Massa Sapphire · Technical datasheet
ReferenceRM 056
CalibreRMCC1, manual winding tourbillon
FunctionsHours, minutes, split-seconds chronograph, power reserve, torque and function indicators
Power reserveCirca 70 hours
BaseplateSkeletonised grade 5 titanium
BalanceVariable inertia
BarrelFast rotating
Sapphire hardness1,800 Vickers / 9 Mohs
Water resistance50 m
StrapRubber
Movement weightUnder 10 g
Case dimensions50.50 × 42.70 × 19.25 mm
Case materialSapphire — front bezel, caseband and back bezel
Case sealingTwo nitrile O-ring seals
Case assemblyGrade 5 titanium screws, steel washers
Edition5 pieces
Introduced2012

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RM 056 Felipe Massa Sapphire · Ref. RM 056

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