Richard Mille RM 053-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough

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AnthonyTsai introduces the Richard Mille RM 053-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough, a timepiece engineered to endure the extreme conditions of polo. This article highlights the watch's innovative shock resistance, including a fully exposed cable-suspended movement and a unique laminated sapphire crystal. AnthonyTsai's detailed presentation offers a closer look at how Richard Mille pushes the boundaries of horological durability.

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Richard Mille presents the RM053-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough, a limited edition of 30 pieces and designed to withstand extreme shock resistance conditions, even the sapphire crystal too!

Polo is an extremely dangerous sport, and falling down or getting hit with the ball or even a mallet is part of the game. Pablo has gotten his nose broken several times, had surgery and bone replacement near his right eye, fallen off his horse, and hit many times in the nose and mouth.

This new RM53-01 compared to the original RM53 from SIHH 2012 now has the entire movement exposed. It's not concealed anymore which makes for a much better viewing experience (see below picture for original RM053).

You'll love the suspension braided cables which are only 0.27mm in diameter. There are 10 pulleys in the movement which ensures equal distribution of tension and balance. RM says this system provides shock absorption to more than 5,000 g's!

Another new feature with the RM53-01 is the "laminated sapphire glass" which is used in the automotive industry. RM wanted to have a sapphire glass which could withstand the swing of a polo mallet. To make this laminated sapphire glass, you get 2 sapphire glass cylindrical discs polished to a mirror finish on both sides and treated with anti-reflection coating. Then between the 2 discs is a thin sheet of vinyl. After extensive milling, the glass is ready. The end result is a laminated sapphire glass 2.4mm thick which can withstand a pendulum impact of a full thrust of a 4.5 kg weight behind a steel point. This impact is much greater than a swinging malet, so it'll survive any impact Pablo exposes himself to on the polo field. And now, any owner can admire this fully exposed beautiful suspension movement.

Dimensions of the Carbon TPT watch case is a 50mm x 44.5mm Carbon, so it's not for the small wristed.

Retail pricing is 863,000 CHF including taxes.

Cheers,
Anthony

About the Richard Mille Ref. RM053

The Richard Mille RM053 Pablo Mac Donough is a distinctive tourbillon timepiece designed in collaboration with the Argentinian polo player. It is characterized by its highly protective and angled case, engineered to withstand the extreme shocks and impacts inherent in polo. This model represents Richard Mille's dedication to creating watches for specific athletic demands, pushing the boundaries of durability and ergonomic design within haute horology. Its unique architecture positions the movement at an angle, visible through two small sapphire apertures, ensuring both protection and readability during intense activity.

The case of the RM053 is crafted from titanium carbide, a material known for its exceptional hardness and scratch resistance, further reinforced by a titanium inner structure. The manual-winding tourbillon movement, visible through the angled windows, is designed to be highly shock-resistant, featuring a double baseplate construction. This robust design minimizes the impact of external forces on the delicate regulating organ, ensuring precision under duress.

For collectors, the RM053 stands as a testament to Richard Mille's philosophy of combining high-performance engineering with avant-garde aesthetics. Its specialized design for polo makes it a niche but highly sought-after piece, embodying the brand's commitment to functional innovation for extreme sports. The limited production and unique visual identity contribute to its desirability among enthusiasts of technical and purpose-built timepieces.

Specifications

Caliber: RM053

Case: Titanium Carbide

Diameter: 50.00 x 42.70 x 16.30 mm

Dial: Skeletonized

Water Resist.: 50 meters

Crystal: Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

While the RM 053-01's shock resistance is impressive for polo, the practical utility of a time-only watch during a game is questionable, as players are unlikely to check the time mid-match.
The exposed movement of the RM 053-01 is a significant aesthetic and technical highlight, drawing admiration from collectors.

The Discussion

Alkiro1

Jan 15, 2018

All these pulleys are truly impressive like this whole RM. Even if they have not the same purpose, they make me think about the ones of the UN Grand Deck Marine Tourbillon. Very cool timepiece

Best wishes Alkiro

Jan 15, 2018

I also recalled the Grand Deck instantly.

Alkiro1

Jan 15, 2018

I can’t remember if another or several watches have pulleys too 🤔

Best wishes Alkiro

brandon1

Jan 15, 2018

The Monaco V4 and the other RM for Nadal come to mind. [nt]

Alkiro1

Jan 15, 2018

Not exactly the same “system” of pulleys for the V4 for me but not so far at the same time. Thank you Brandon

Best wishes Alkiro

VMM

Jan 15, 2018

Impressive.

That movement! Thanks. Vte

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Richard Mille RM 053-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough

About the Richard Mille Ref. RM053

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

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