Lifestyle
AnthonyTsai's report on Bubba Watson's 2012 Masters victory shines a spotlight on Richard Mille's commitment to extreme performance testing. This article illustrates how the brand's partnerships with elite athletes like Watson push the boundaries of watchmaking, proving the durability and precision of timepieces like the RM 038 Tourbillon under intense conditions.
Richard Mille is pleased to announce that his partner, American golfer Bubba Watson, won the 2012 Masters in Georgia on Sunday.
GOLF. BUBBA WATSON WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS AUGUSTA MASTERS
Bubba Watson, 33 years old, won his first Major Championship, the 76th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.
Bubba Watson defeated South African Louis Oosthuizen on the second hole of a sudden death playoff after both players completed the 4 rounds of regulation play with a score of 278, 10 under par. Bubba Watson won the first of the 2012 Majors largely thanks to an incredible shot on the 10th hole which was the second playoff hole. His ball landed on a bed of pine needles and his view to the green was obscured by the surrounding Georgia pine trees. He was able to forge a path around the trees hitting a hook shot which was appreciated by the cheering patrons. He then two putted for a par 4 to secure the victory after Oosthuizen had been unable to convert his par putt.
Bubba, renowned for his long driving and imaginative play, is only the third left handed golfer to win the Masters. He is also the 8th consecutive player to win his first Major title. 'It's a dream come true' confessed Watson, 'I cried all the tears I had in me'. Bubba Watson's victory catapults him to 4th in the World Golf Rankings and to 2nd place in the Fedex Cup.
As with Formula 1 racing, tennis and polo, golf is a precise sport with no concessions and it is a sport which demands physical performance and endurance. Always in search of new challenges Richard Mille decided to enter this sport in 2011 in order to push technical limits and test new boundaries in high-end watch making. Bubba proudly wears Richard Mille during all tournaments played as do Rafael Nadal, Felipe Massa, Pablo Mac Donough in their respective sports. The RM 038 tourbillon was designed specifically for Bubba Watson to test its technology, performance and resistance to shocks to the fullest extent. Bubba Watson won the Masters on Sunday wearing the RM 038.
Last March, Richard Mille presented a new model, the RM 055 during the Basel World Fair. The RM 055 Bubba Watson is capable of resisting accelerations of over 500 G. The RM 055 is similar to the RM 038 Bubba Watson wears in that is an extremely technical timepeiece combining innovation, sportiness with a hand made finish in the tradition of high-end watch making.
RM 038 Tourbillon
The RM 038 tourbillon is able to work in golf's extreme conditions with 3 specifications: lightness, extreme shock resistance and comfort. The baseplate, bridges and balance cock are made of grade 5 titanium, this allows the whole assembly to be given great rigidity, as well as precise surface flatness. The fast rotating barrel provides significant decrease of periodic internal mainspring adhesion which increases performance. The RM 038 case is made of an extremely rugged and light alloy called magnesium WE 54, an alloy composed of 89% magnesium, 6% yttrium and 5% rare earths. After a long and delicate machining phase, this alloy is given a new electro-plasma oxidation treatment called Miarox®. This improves both the durability and scratch resistance of this alloy as well as its wear and corrosion properties.
CALIBER RM038 : manual winding tourbillon with hours and minutes.
Tonneau shape – numbered Limited Edition- available in Magnesium WE54 with Miarox® treatment.
Dimensions: 48 mm x 39.70 mm x 12.80 mm
New RM 055 Bubba Watson
Its mechanical movement in grade 5 titanium displays extreme skeletonization, with a PVD- and Titalyt® treated baseplate and bridges. This combination provides the whole structure with optimum rigidity and excellent surface flatness and finish, essential aspects for the perfect functioning of the gear train. The caliber RMUL2 is thus capable of withstanding accelerations of over 500-G's. The ATZ bezel is made from tubes of aluminum oxide powder injected at a pressure of nearly 2,000 bars. This high-pressure injection increases rigidity by 20 to 30% and reduces the material's porosity to an absolute minimum. ATZ is known for its high scratch-resistance (1,400 Vickers) and its unchangeable color. Next to diamond, it is one of the hardest materials in the world. Long and difficult machining using diamond tools is required to create a perfect example of this complex, curved bezel and satin finish. The case middle and back bezel are in grade 5 titanium with a protective white rubber casing. This rubber is injected at high pressure around the titanium components, thus insulating the movement from all vibrations. This special surface treatment also makes the watch very comfortable to wear.
CALIBER RMUL2 : manual winding skeleton movement with hours, minutes, seconds.
Tonneau shape - available in rubberized grade-5 titanium caseband and back with ATZ front bezel.
Dimensions : 49.90 mm x 42.70 mm x 13.05 mm
Press Release
The Richard Mille RM011 Flyback Chronograph Felipe Massa represents the brand's RM 011 series, distinguished by its flyback chronograph functionality within a 40mm case format. This reference was produced from 2007 to 2020, establishing it as a multi-year production model within Richard Mille's contemporary lineup.
The watch features a 40mm titanium case fitted with a fixed bezel and sapphire crystal. The skeletonized dial construction provides visibility of the internal components. The automatic RMAC1 caliber delivers 55 hours of power reserve, while water resistance extends to 50 meters. The timepiece is completed with a rubber strap.
This reference appeals to collectors seeking Richard Mille's flyback chronograph complications in a titanium construction. The 13-year production span from 2007 to 2020 makes examples readily available across different production periods. The 40mm case size and rubber strap configuration position this model for those prioritizing technical complications within Richard Mille's sports watch category.
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