Richard Mille

A split seconds chronograph - of whatever brand by the way - is considered by watchmakers in the category of a complication; it is much more complex than one might at first glance imagine, with an intricate  interaction taking place between 2 column wheels. As mentioned, this is indeed even more complicated when a tourbillon is added, like we see in the RM 008 or the new split seconds RM 050 movement for instance. The RM 004 is simply quite a fantastic new design of its type, and with its use of important parts in titanium and the carbon nanofiber baseplate (in the V2 examples) it is no slouch either when it comes to the application and use of materials....

Unlike regular chronographs, of which a number of classic designs are out there already for ages, the split as an entity tends to be a special beast almost always made and/or designed in limited numbers; also because there is low demand for such timepieces. This is because many buyers, when confronted with the large price difference between a split and regular chrono, will generally opt for the regular chronograph, which is of course perfectly fine. However that means that the split seconds chronograph is generally speaking more of a connoisseur's timepiece, if I can may put it that way. In the case of the RM 004, it has been discontinued, and is therefore becoming more rare with every passing year.

Just in closing:

However beautiful and interesting the design of the RM 004 is, it is by far not our most complicated timepiece; after all we have not stood still the last 13 years !

The Lange Double Split is also an amazing timepiece which many people justly love (hey, could Philippe D ever be wrong?); however I see the 004 and the double as two quite different timepieces addressing different horological questions. And both have their place in the sun as legends in my view.

Kind regards all, 

Theodore Diehl

Company Spokesman & Horologist

Richard Mille Watches

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