- Case
- Tripartite tonneau
- Size
- 48.00 × 39.70 × 12.80 mm
- Edition
- 20 pieces across the RM 51-01 production
Overview
Diamond-set white gold with hand-carved tiger and dragon
The RM 51-01 Tiger and Dragon was introduced in 2014 as Richard Mille’s second collaboration with Michelle Yeoh. Its manually wound RM51-01 calibre integrates hand-carved and micro-painted red-gold figures around the tourbillon.
The tiger and dragon here are painted in full colour — the tiger striped in orange and black, the dragon in greens — rather than left in plain gold, so the composition reads as a scene rather than a relief. The 18K white-gold case is diamond-set across the bezel and caseband, and the strap is black rubber.
The skeletonised calibre uses a grade 5 titanium movement structure, a differential power-reserve display and a torque-limiting crown. Production was limited to 20 pieces across the RM 51-01 edition as a whole, not this execution alone.
Key details
Design and engineering
- Calibre RM51-01The manually wound tourbillon calibre displays hours, minutes and power reserve and provides approximately 48 hours of autonomy.
- Hand-carved tiger and dragonThe two figures are formed from 3N red gold, carved and incised manually before the paint is applied, and are arranged to clutch the tourbillon movement between them.
- Hand micro paintingA long and painstaking process applied to both figures, extending to the parts that are hidden once the watch is assembled.
- Grade 5 titanium movement structureThe skeletonised baseplate and bridges are produced from grade 5 titanium, then validation-tested.
- Differential power-reserve displayA printed red line on a moving disc between 10 and 11 o’clock displays the remaining power reserve, rather than a hand on a scale.
- Free-sprung balanceThe calibre uses a Glucydur free-sprung balance with variable inertia and four setting screws.
- Torque-limiting crownThe winding system incorporates a torque-limiting crown to protect the winding mechanism against excessive input.
- Set white gold caseStones across the bezel and the caseband of the tonneau.
- Case productionFour hours of machining followed by more than 260 milling procedures, with a further day spent on grinding, satin brushing and polishing.
Specifications
Technical specifications
| Reference | RM 51-01 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2014 |
| Calibre | RM51-01 |
| Winding | Manual |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, power-reserve indicator |
| Complication | Tourbillon |
| Power reserve | Circa 48 hours (± 10%) |
| Frequency | 21,600 vph (3 Hz) |
| Jewels | 21, set in white gold chatons |
| Movement dimensions | 32.80 × 29.00 × 5.17 mm |
| Tourbillon diameter | 12.30 mm |
| Balance wheel diameter | 10.00 mm |
| Balance | Glucydur®, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 11.50 mg·cm² |
| Baseplate and bridges | Grade 5 titanium, skeletonised |
| Decoration | Tiger and dragon in 3N red gold, hand carved and hand painted |
| Case | Tripartite tonneau |
| Case dimensions | 48.00 × 39.70 × 12.80 mm |
| Case material | White gold, set |
| Gem-setting | Diamonds |
| Case assembly | 12 grade 5 titanium spline screws, 316L stainless steel washers, 2 Nitrile O-ring seals |
| Crystal | Sapphire, anti-reflective |
| Caseback | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Strap | Black rubber |
| Edition | 20 pieces across the RM 51-01 production |
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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