Richard Mille RM 036 Tourbillon G-Sensor Jean Todt

THE RICHARD MILLE TOURBILLON G-SENSOR RM 036 JEAN TODT LIMITED EDITION

The world of automobiles is a constant source of inspiration for Richard Mille, who applies the same creative and R&D processes to the design of his timepieces to create extreme solutions that are impressively efficient, high-performance and innovative.

The brand is personally involved in motorsport too: its well-known sporting partners include Felipe Massa and Jules Bianchi. Richard Mille is also the official timekeeper for a range of internationally renowned events such as the Le Mans Classic and the Grand Prix de Pau Historique.

However, there was one aspect of automobile that Richard Mille had not yet explored, despite being interested in it for many years: road safety. He therefore decided to offer his support to a long-time friend, Jean Todt, and to the global organisation "FIA Action For Road Safety" by developing a watch capable of offering a tangible solution to road safety problems. Richard Mille's and Jean Todt's teams worked together closely to develop a mechanism capable of interpreting the physical constraints felt by the body during rapid decelerations to make drivers aware of the dangers linked to the road. This is how the creation of the Tourbillon G-Sensor RM 036 Jean Todt came about.

The RM 036 features a tonneau shape, a recurrent visual theme of the brand. The curved, ergonomic case specifically requested by Jean Todt for this exceptional timepiece houses the RM036 caliber, a tourbillon movement made entirely of grade-5 titanium and ARCAP, with a carbon-nanofiber baseplate. This combination of materials provides the movement with optimal resistance and flatness, and draws a sublime contrast with the finishing, which include polishing, shot-blasting and satin-brushing. The manually wound mechanical caliber features hours, minutes and seconds combined with a brand-new complication: a mechanical G-sensor.

The G-sensor system was developed and patented by Renaud Papi exclusively for Richard Mille, and translates the movement of a small internal mechanism to an indicator, thereby enabling the wearer to visualise the forces. Assembled directly on the baseplate, this complex mechanism was designed to visually display the number of G's accumulated by the wearer during rapid decelerations. Composed of over 50 parts and measuring a mere 17mm, the RM 036's G-sensor can withstand decelerations of several tens of G's. Needless to say, the movement is also characterised by its unequivocal robustness.

Another unique feature of the RM 036 is the scale located at 12 o'clock, whose needle indicates whether the deceleration is safe (green zone) or critical (red zone) for the driver. A push-piece at 9 o'clock quickly resets it to zero.

The RM 036 will be officially presented on 7th December at the FIA awards ceremony in Istanbul. Jean Todt will donate the profits from the sale of this exceptional timepiece to two key initiatives close to his heart: the global campaign for road safety as well as the ICM Brain and Spine Institute, which he cofounded.

The Tourbillon G-Sensor RM 036 Jean Todt watch is being released in a limited edition of 15 titanium timepieces.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TOURBILLON G-SENSOR RM 036 JEAN TODT LIMITED EDITION

Limited edition of 15 pieces in titanium.

CALIBER RM036: manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o'clock, G sensor and function selector.

Dimensions: 50.00 x 42.70 x 16.15 mm.

MAIN FEATURES

POWER RESERVE

Circa 70 hours (±10%).

SKELETONIZED CARBON NANOFIBER BASEPLATE

This is an isotropic composite material created from carbon nanofibers with high mechanical, physical and chemical stability in all directions. The ribbed perimeter of the movement plate assures the highest rigidity between the baseplate and bridges. Carbon nanofiber composite structures such as this are amorphous, chemically neutral and dimensionally constant within a very wide range of operating temperatures, including those outside of normal ranges.

This stability assures the highest integrity of the movement's going train under all conditions.

The skeletonized baseplate and the bridges have been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimize their resistance capacities.

BRIDGES MADE OF GRADE 5 TITANIUM

The baseplate has been finished in grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly.

The alloy is 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination further increases its mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries.

G INDICATOR

This complex mechanism was designed to visually display the number of Gs accumulated by the watch's wearer during rapid decelerations The scale located at 12 o'clock, whose needle indicates whether the deceleration is safe (green zone) or critical (red zone) for the driver. A push-piece at 9 o'clock quickly resets it to zero.

FUNCTION SELECTOR

In a manner similar to a car's gearbox, a push-button located at the center of the crown allows one to select the winding, neutral and hand setting functions with a simple push. A hand at 4 o'clock displays the selected function: W (Winding) – N (Neutral) – H (Hands).

FREE SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA

It guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during movement assembly and disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable adjustment is possible thanks to 4 small adjustable weights located directly on the balance.

FAST ROTATING BARREL (6 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours)

This type of barrel has the following advantages:

-     The phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion is significantly diminished, thereby increasing performance,

-     Provision of an excellent mainspring delta curve with an ideal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.

BARREL PAWL WITH PROGRESSIVE RECOIL

This device permits a profitable winding gain (circa 20 %), especially during the winding start. It is also helpful in the distribution of the mainspring's internal tension.

MODULAR TIME SETTING MECHANISM FITTED AGAINST THE CASE BACK

Provides the following advantages for longevity and maintenance:

-     Since the component is mounted outside of the movement, the time setting assembly can be changed without affecting the integrity of the bottom plate in the event of a possible defect or during maintenance,

-     The mounting and dismantling of this module from the back will not require the removal of the hands and the dial.

WHEEL BASED TIME SETTING SYSTEM (back of the movement)

Provides smooth time setting functions through the elimination of engaging friction by replacing it with rolling friction.

CERAMIC ENDSTONE FOR THE TOURBILLON CAGE

This reflects a technical and long-term view towards the elimination of wear phenomena, resulting in improved technical tribology.

CENTRAL BRIDGE IN RIGIDIFIED ARCAP

Ensures high rigidity of the baseplate and the bridge assembly of the going train.

WINDING BARREL TEETH AND THIRD-WHEEL PINION WITH CENTRAL INVOLUTE PROFILE

The central involute profile of the winding barrel teeth and pinion provides an optimal pressure angle of 20°.

This promotes effective rotary motion and allows for compensation of possible variations in the engagement of the going train, thus insuring excellent torque transmission with a distinct improvement in performance.

SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES

This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.

OTHER FEATURES

-     Movement dimensions: 32.20 mm x 32.90 mm

-     Thickness: 4.97 mm

-     Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm

-     Balance wheel diameter: 10 mm

-     Number of jewels: 26

-     Balance wheel: GLUCYDUR, with 2 arms and 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 10 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°

-     Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)

-     Balance spring: ELINVAR, by NIVAROX

-     Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28

-     Barrel shaft in nickel-free Chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S), with the following characteristics:

stainless –non-magnetic – tempered

CASE

The design and execution of the entire watch bears witness to a complete conceptual approach regarding the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to an extremely rigorous specification, in the manner of the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars where the chassis and the engine are developed in complete harmony.

The case of the RM 036 requires 86 stamping operations, of which 49 make up the striking of the three principal components (bezel, case middle and case back), before the cutting and milling can start.

It takes 20 hours to set a machine and 30 hours of programming to produce just a single kit. The case requires 255 machining operations and the finishing phase involves 5 hours of satin finishing and polishing.

A five-axis machining centre (perfected machine) must be used to create the case's complex form. For each case machined, a period of 45 minutes is needed just for the positive engraving of the name "Richard Mille".

The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 Spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.

SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE CASE

This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly.

These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.

FLANGES

In titanium, black galvanic coated, with index points filled with approved luminous material.

DIAL

In sapphire (thickness: 0.40 mm) with anti-glare treatment (both sides), protected by 8 silicon braces inserted in

the upper and lower flanges grooves.

CRYSTAL

Bezel side: In sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)

Thickness: 1.50 mm

Case back: In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides)

Thickness: at the center 1.20 mm and outer edges 2.04 mm

FINISHING

MOVEMENT

-     Anglage hand-polished

-     Locking sections hand-polished

-     Sapphire blasted milled sections

-     Lapped and polished contact points

-     Burnished pivots

STEEL PARTS

-     Sapphire blasted surfaces

-     Anglage and polishing by hand

-     Drawn outer faces

WHEELS

-     Concave chamfering with a diamond tool

-     Circular-smoothed faces

-     Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth).

-     Minimal corrections are made to the wheels to preserve their geometry and overall performance.

Press Release