Richard Mille Quebec Clock Unveiled

219's post from 2011 unveils a monumental project by Richard Mille: a massive public clock for the City of Quebec. This article highlights how Richard Mille's distinctive design philosophy and engineering prowess were scaled up to create a unique horological installation, symbolizing Swiss-Canadian friendship.

You are never too sure what to expect from Richard Mille, and the last time I went to visit, that was exactly the case.  There are the usual work benches of watchmakers crouched over their work and concentrating on the microscopic space in front of them.  However, in another workshop, another Richard Mille is taking shape on an entirely different scale.

About 3 years ago now, Richard announced plans to construct a clock for the City of Quebec as a gift in the spirit of Swiss-Canadian relations.  Celebrating its 400th year, Quebec, the largest French-speaking city in North America, shared close historical connections with the Republic and Canton of the Jura.  To celebrate this anniversary in style, the Republic and Canton of the Jura wanted to offer Quebec a that symbolized their friendship.

It really is the 'industrial' watch and clock design manufactured on an industrial scale.  There are still the elements that make it a Richard Mille timepiece: the same design for the movement and the same screw construction; although on an increased scale! 

It is an exceptional clock, measuring 2.5 metres wide by 3.5 metres high. The definitive clock will be placed in the Gabrielle Roy library, the largest in Quebec.  The clock is two-sided and offers two displays: an interior display visible in the library’s lobby and an exterior display visible from the Place Jacques Cartier. The actual mechanism is visible from both sides.  The clock is a unique piece in every sense using the best technology, horological development and unrivalled architecture in the design that Richard Mille has to offer.

The technical features are considerable:

Constant force escapement, to guarantee equal torque at all times, whatever the position of the hands

An equality winder, designed to cancel influences during rewinding

Perpetual calendar mechanism (date, day, month, year and leap year)

A second time zone indicating the time in the Jura

Equation of time indicating the difference between mean time and solar time

Hours, minutes and off-centre seconds located at 3 o’clock

The second time zone and the equation of time will be visible from the interior and exterior of the library.

What is strange is seeing the manufacturing process itself.  Sand blasting is executed by a man in a suit with a converted pressure hose. 

The main baseplate is moved around with a small crane, the cog wheels are bigger than your hand, but the finishing and aesthetics for the component parts of the mechanism are still very much Richard Mille!

Should be an amazing clock when finished!  Makes me want to take a trip to Quebec!  I dont know when the clock is scheduled for delivery, but here's hoping that a fellow Purist is resident there and can take some photos of the clock in its intended home.

For now, here is the video of the clock:

Should be something to see when it is in place.

Thanks

Andrew H