rom the very beginning, the creation of a Richard Mille watch involves a comprehensive approach, exploring multiple avenues and applying thoughtful consideration to achieve a rich and dynamic design.

The calibre, case and display of information are developed so as to ensure superlative build quality, absolute precision and strong shock resistance. This harmony goes well beyond the surface. It also fosters a dialogue between techniques of haute horlogerie and cutting-edge materials. A true distillation of the brand’s identity, the RM 17-02 Tourbillon, with its manual-winding movement, embodies the principles of this uncompromising distinction.

Light yet strong, the architecture of this watch houses the tourbillon Calibre RM17-02. The sapphire dial spans this complex structure to showcase its many components. Bridges gleam with blue PVD treatment and 5N gold. The baseplate, supporting the tourbillon movement with variable-inertia balance wheel and fast-rotating barrel, is machined from grade 5 titanium with a black PVD treatment.

These same finishes are also visible on the movement, seen from the back of the watch. The gears, with their involute profile teeth, glint silver and gold as they perform a kinetic ballet that conveys a sense of depth. Optimal power transmission and distribution is ensured for the entire duration of a circa 70-hour power-reserve. The skeletonised architecture knits together the calibre’s elements while enhancing rigidity. Meanwhile, power-reserve and function indicators maximise efficiency and precision.

But technical innovation is not restricted to the calibre. It can be seen in the dynamometric crown, which protects the winding stem and prevents any excessive pressure from damaging the barrel. Within this fascinating landscape, decoration contributes to easy reading of time data. The hour and minute hands extend towards hour markers in a high-impact font: beneath, a laser-engraved cut-out base creates relief; above, a beige stencil adds a gentle touch of brightness.

Every detail, however minute, is superbly finished, exalted thanks to anglage and polishing painstakingly completed by hand. In this way, the RM 17-02 Tourbillon cleaves to the technical and aesthetic strengths of previous iterations. The taut lines of its iconic three-part tonneau shape and visible spline screws are enhanced by the singular texture of satin-finished grade 5 titanium. This choice of material further contributes a clean modern look that defies trends with its timelessness.

With the RM 17-02 Tourbillon in titanium, the brand delivers a creative manifesto of the Richard Mille spirit: a subtle balance of refinement and power, a constant dialogue between performance and a distinctive style.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

CALIBRE

• RM17-02: Manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, power-reserve and function indicators.
• Dimensions: 40.10 x 48.15 x 13.08 mm

POWER RESERVE

• Around 70 hours (± 10 %)

BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM

• These components are manufactured in grade 5 titanium and PVD-treated in gold and blue coatings. As a consequence, the whole assembly is extremely rigid, with precise surface flatness, an essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train.
• The skeletonized baseplate and the bridges have been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimise their resistance capacities.

FUNCTION INDICATOR

• In a manner similar to a car’s gearbox, the function indicator allows one to see the winding, neutral and hand-setting positions as the crown is pulled out. Each position is indicated via a hand at 4 o’clock.

FREE-SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA

• The free-sprung balance offers better reliability in the event of shocks, movement assembly and disassembly, and also guarantees better chronometric results over time.

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

• This type of barrel provides 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.