New Richard Mille RM70-01 Tourbillon in partnership with F1 champion Alain Prost

Oct 08, 2017,11:05 AM
 

Nota: original post updated
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It seems that a new Richard Mille RM70-01 Tourbillon is on its way as the brand has announced a partnership with former F1 champion (4 titles) Alain Prost.

Indeed we learn now that it will be a 30-piece limited edition.



 




He is ambassador of Renault Sport and has founded with JP Driot the e.Dams Formula E team which has won its 3rd title this year.

Here are a few pictures of the watch, I know he is fan of cycling, thus the complication of the new RM70-01 Tourbillon. Indeed, the watch can display up to 99 999 kilometers.

The base motivation for this complication is that some cyclists didn't know what distance they made during a certain period of time, let's say a year for instance.




With the pusher on the crown side you can select the figure you want to set. Then, with the pusher at 10 o'clock, the owner sets the right figure.

In the end, after each session, the owner can add the distance made to keep track of the overall achivement.

That's not a necessary feature but that's the philosophy behind the significantly complicated mechanism.

Some RM complications (like the one used in the Erotique model) is much more complicated than its "usefulness" would let one think.

Here is what the press release says abot it:

"The first pusher activates selection of a roller, one of the five. Execution is confirmed by perfect alignment of the two yellow arrows. The second pusher incrementally rotates the roller, which automatically blocks, thanks to the carry mechanism. To avoid accidental manipulations, the complication has been fitted with a neutral position (N). Thanks to a spring-lock, the selection fork will be lined up straight, with an arrow at 2 o’clock pointing to N as visual confirmation that the mechanism is locked."




The crown looks like a wheel...



...and so does the tourbillon cage (the 70-hour power reserve is indicated on the bottom right hand corner)...



I wonder if it is not the first asymetrical case of the brand made in NTPT.

The baseplate and bridges are in grade 5 Titanium.

The barrel and tourbillon are placed along a single axis which helps gaining room, which is quite a nice feature:




And, cherry on the cake, a little gift with the watch, "each buyer will receive as a gift their very own bespoke road cycle. Developed by Alain Prost and Richard Mille in partnership with the prestigious Italian bikemaker Colnago, these individually numbered bicycles are made by hand and painted in the watchmaking brand’s colours."

By the way,  the watch is said to be made for the right wrist, as on the picture below.


Nice smile

Best, Mark




Here are a few more pictures...












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Comments: view entire thread

 

Yep...

 
 By: texex91 : October 8th, 2017-11:15
I saw this on IG. I don't care for the shape, but RM is always thinking of new things. Let the money keep flowing. Congrats to any future buyers.

I agree with you

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 8th, 2017-13:13
They kind of "play" in creating different shapes and complications, even if they are not that useful. I think a significant part of it is for the exercize of making something complicated and different, not in a serious way (like the Erotique or the 063). ... 

I wonder how a mechanical watch can measure a distance

 
 By: piccolochimico (aka dsgalaxy1) : October 8th, 2017-11:17
I don't like the new shape, ergonomic is a RMs feature but it seems too much (like in other asymmetric case)

That was my question as well when I discovered the news :)

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 8th, 2017-13:17
I think it is more of an "exercize" (like the Erotique with rotating barrels or the 63). I 'm not really a fan of the asymetrical shape either (like on the 061 Yohan Blake) but it changes from usual and, on the wrist, I imagine that it can have a differen... 

Exactly, I think this is how we can see this shape

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 8th, 2017-13:19
even if it is usually not our cup of tea. There are watches that you know you wouldn't buy but that you're happy it exists. Thanks Alkiro Best, Mark

aammmm...

 
 By: Nono01 : October 8th, 2017-12:13
Kilometers?!?

That's the only few elements that have been posted yet

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 8th, 2017-13:24
I guess it could "count" anything if there is just a pusher, or is it linked to something else (I doubt it)? Alain Prost likes cylcing so maybe it is just for the spirit, without a perfect practical side. We'll see. Best, Mark

Hmmmmm

 
 By: keks : October 8th, 2017-13:19
I am a very intuitive and optimistic person... and my first impression is not great. I saw some videos of this and perhaps I will warm up to it but it does take some digesting for me at the very least.... is it supposed to be worn on the left or right wri... 

In fact, my opinion is that it may not be the kind of model RM plans to sell a lot

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 8th, 2017-15:24
I would say it is more a kind of showcase watch, to emphasize the event of Alain Prost becoming an ambassador of the brand. Some clients will get it because they really like it, even if they are a few only. To answer your question, my guess is that it is ... 

Without a doubt

 
 By: texex91 : October 8th, 2017-15:32
Probably a $750k - $1m piece or there about.

Like the McDonough polo model [nt]

 
 By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : October 16th, 2017-10:42

Indeed, very good example [nt]

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 16th, 2017-10:59

It is different for sure... which is an aspect I can appreciate

 
 By: keks : October 16th, 2017-23:13
There has to be something for everyone and diversity in offerings is a great thing! But do think this complication for a car driver is a bit funny since it does not measure how far or how fast he drives.... but I suspect he too has to use his feet to move... 

==== UPDATED ==== [nt]

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 9th, 2017-08:24

Very interesting watch and concept

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : October 9th, 2017-15:55
Never thought we would have a watch like this. And the case shape is definitely a thing of its own. Kudos to RM for thinking out of the box with this one. It's not a watch suited for me but definitely an interesting one! Cheers, Anthony

It has a very interesting shape too

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 16th, 2017-10:21
It is a kind of "concept" watch and I must say a very interesting one in RM's collections. Thanks for the feedback Anthony Best, Mark

In fact, the owner tracks the distance

 
 By: Mark in Paris : October 16th, 2017-10:25
with its usual bike display and, at the end of the day, makes the count and use the pushers on his watch to add the total distance to the previous sum (so, you make the calculation). At the end of the year or month etc, you have the overall you've been ri... 

I just don't understand this watch. Heres hoping RM has something REALLY new and ground breaking for SIHH in a few months.

 
 By: cory : October 20th, 2017-11:41
I lost the ability to understand and follow RMs creative strategy. I admired his earlier design and then as time has gone on, everythings gone a little cray cray!