RobCH
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Pics !
Voila...
Bluenotte is correct, the composition of the case was changed between the proto and production of the 1st pieces to Magnesium WE54 : 89% Mg still, but now 6% Yttrium and 5% Rare earth elements. (Yttrium is sometimes referred to as a rare earth too, but you can get better info at Wikipedia/google/whatever...this element is apparently often used for making Mg alloys stronger...!) Of course it goes without saying that the alloy is extremely strong and light. The surface treatment remains an electro-plasma oxydisation as per Titalyt but a slightly different process from what I can tell, called Miarox. Creates a very hard shock and corrosion resistant crystaline ceramic oxide layer of a few microns.
Weighed in at approx 58 grams. (uncalibrated scales)
Without further ado (but with apologies WRT photo quality) :
With flash...the true colour of the case is a very nice pure white
Cheers,
Rob
Timing that one 'true' swing: a review of Richard Mille's RM038.
[Bubba Watson at the French Open this year wearing the RM038 prototype on one of its first outings.] About a year ago, I learned that Richard was about to enter the world of golf. It seemed a strange departure after Formula 1 and tennis, but as with all o...
rm 038
great post thanks for all this feedback; somehow you would not expect RM's to be affected by the extremes they're being put through, would you?
Thanks! The idea behind Richard's watches is that even
if they have to go through extremes, they will come out the other side still ticking! Thanks for reading Andrew H
Great review Andrew
And enjoyed it very much indeed! Nice shots! Although with regards to the case material and the coating process utilised for the RM038, was it not changed to the Magnesium alloy WE54 and the coating to Miarox instead of Titalyt II? Cheers Stephen
You might be right - I am checking with RM as I was 'playing'
with the prototype (which is also the one on Bubba's wrist). However, looked up the other materials, and the same arguments apply. The interesting question is why! Thanks Andrew H
Great post, Andrew!
Thank you for the report on the development of 038. It is very good for WIS to know how such unique models are developed. Very informative and I see how innovative one has to be to come up with such models for an extreme purpose. I with it had darker colo...
Thanks Ken. For Richard Mille watches there is always more
than meets the eye. What looks a relatively simple change has deeper thought beneath the surface. Cheers! Andrew H
Thank you !
It was a pleasure to read this detailed review. I really appreciate to see all the thinking process behind a watch.
Fantastic Andrew
Great write up, really interesting stuff indeed, thanks for taking the time to post all that up. I think the Bubba looks great,as a matter of interest what size is the 38?...is is basically an RM002 case?, if so I quite fancy putting a white strap on my 2...
Thanks Chris. I think I am right in stating that this is a
slightly larger case than the RM002. RM038 case: 48 mm x 39.70 mm x 12.80 mm RM002 case: 45 mm x 38.30 mm x 11.95 mm Not sure if that will make a difference for the lugs for the strap. Good luck! Andrew H
Thanks Andrew
One of the super technical and expermimenting RM , something very special at RM I love. Along with the RM006, RM009 alusic, RM027 Nadal... Another dream watch from RM. (I could add the 012 but the platinum choice is something I didn't understood on this w...
I would agree with your choices. That said, the RM012
was a different technical exercise. It was more a case (no pun intended) that Richard was experimenting with the suspension of a movement using struts rather than a traditional plate anchored to the case. My personal preference though is for the RM006, 9,...
Thank you Andrew
What a phenomenal read. The more I learn about RM, the more I love the manufacture!
Very interesting and informative post.
Mille chose the golfer who is going to put the most strain on the watch, which is not suprising since he likes extremes. Of the top 50-100 golfers in the world, Watson swings the club as hard as anyone and hits the ball as far as anyone. Thus he would app...
Generally I would agree with you. From an early Purists interview
with Richard, when there was only 4 models in the line up, Richard stated that his passion for his watches comes in the love of technique. What the watch can be built to withstand. Have a read if you have not already done so: www.thepurists.com Th...
I used to wear a PP 5167A when playing golf
but was quickly advised not to... Nowadays I wear a quartz Tag Heuer (with most of the proceeds going into Tiger Woods' pockets). I will now rethink. Bubba is the only golfer I've known using a driver on the fairway - he plays with a lot of character. Tha...
Good advice! Glad to hear the Patek survived. Take a look
at the RM038 - it has a certain uniqueness that has grown on me. Cheers Andrew H
Stop the presses !!!!
One of these beasties landed at the RM boutique in Geneva THIS AFTERNOON...surely one of the first! Absolutely awesome piece, I was blown away much more than with the RM027 or the RM018 even !!!! Thankfully quite a bit 'whiter' than the proto seen at SIHH...
Please do Rob!
ANd show a poor soul like me who will probably NEVER get to see it in reality! Much appreciated! Stephen
I think you are first Rob - thanks for sharing. I asked to get
pictures of a finished watch before I went to press, but no luck. So if you could post some pictures, that would be great. Enclosed some pictures of the prototype that I had taken earlier this year for comparison: Thanks Andrew H...
Rob - can you also confirm BluNotte's post above on the
change of materials for the case and coating? The arguments do apply in either case, but was wondering WHY the change. Thanks Andrew H
Very instructive and ... attractive.
I particularly like the research and imagination behind the shape of the bridges. Thanks Andrew ! Best, Mark
Thanks. The more I found out about the watch, the more fascinating
the details that might appear ordinary, but below the surface is a great deal of research and work. Thanks Andrew H
Pics !
Voila... Bluenotte is correct, the composition of the case was changed between the proto and production of the 1st pieces to Magnesium WE54 : 89% Mg still, but now 6% Yttrium and 5% Rare earth elements. (Yttrium is sometimes referred to as a rare earth to...
Hmmm
Interesting pictures Rob, thanks for posting. Not sure on the Bubba looks wise, think I would have tosee one in the flesh to make up my mind. One thing I do find odd at RM is this persistancy to keep using the same base winder, again it just looks like a ...
I'm glad to see it is THAT WHITE!
A very nice watch, although it would have been nice if the crown wasnt that greyish to spoil the overall effect! Cheers and thanks for confirming the tech specs Rob! Stephen
Well...
I can kinda see your point re the Ti crown guys. I guess it may have been technically possible to create a surface treatment to make it white, but it would surely have been a major headache to match the 2 shades of white? And having previously spent time ...
Outstanding Rob! Many thanks and dont be too harsh on yourself
with the picture quality. Looks great and the watch definitely has more 'pop' to both the look and the depth of the movement. Have to say that is typical Richard as he always looks to improve the watch. Thanks again Rob. Andrew H
Looks Great!
You can really see the difference between the yellowish white of the strap and the bright white of the case. Any interest in putting a black vented rubber strap on it Enjoy it! Chris
REALLY! Wow - and many congrats! Thanks for posting here and
enjoy wearing the watch - the mirror of the RM027 - and thanks for sharing with us all here. Andrew H
Woah!
I think the best i can do is HEHE congrats you! Thanks for showing us what you can really do! Ciao Stephen
Fantastic post !
Thanks Andrew the Bubba Watson is along with the Nadal, the two recent masterpieces following a tradition of super technical pieces which makes RM so special.
Where'd those impact calculations come from?
They don't make much sense. Not that they need to, I chop wood wearing a mechanical watch all the time. This message has been edited by BDLJ on 2011-12-12 19:31:02
