- 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.
The reference
Technical specifications
| Reference | RM 056 |
|---|---|
| Calibre | RMCC1, manual winding tourbillon |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, split-seconds chronograph, power reserve, torque and function indicators |
| Power reserve | Circa 70 hours |
| Baseplate | Skeletonised grade 5 titanium |
| Balance | Variable inertia |
| Barrel | Fast rotating |
| Sapphire hardness | 1,800 Vickers / 9 Mohs |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Strap | Rubber |
| Movement weight | Under 10 g |
| Case dimensions | 50.50 × 42.70 × 19.25 mm |
| Case material | Sapphire — front bezel, caseband and back bezel |
| Case sealing | Two nitrile O-ring seals |
| Case assembly | Grade 5 titanium screws, steel washers |
| Edition | 5 pieces |
| Introduced | 2012 |
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