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HomeWatchesRichard Mille unveils “Sun and Sea” chronographs for a brilliant summer

Richard Mille unveils “Sun and Sea” chronographs for a brilliant summer

Colorful, high-tech, complicated and ready for the warm months ahead, these Richard Mille chronographs embody modernity on every level.

Cutting-edge technology for summer 2024

This summer, Richard Mille updates its futuristic TPT (Thin Ply Technology) quartz case while housing a lightweight split-seconds chronograph movement. With a price tag of €380,000, these watches represent an incredible feat in every respect.

The founding mission of Richard Mille in 2001 was to recreate fine watchmaking without the codes of the past. Modern materials have played a major role in this plan, and quartz TPT is one of its most important developments (the term “quartz” refers to the case material, not the movement). The quartz resin cases of the RM 65-01, a manifestation of Richard Mille's proprietary material, are now available in pastel blue and dark yellow, representing the sea and sun of the exotic destinations popular with the brand's customers this summer.

TPT quartz: a robust material

TPT quartz is a very resistant material, used for example in high-tech competition sailboats. It is made of silica fibers saturated with resins that act like glue to hold the fibers together, then heated to 120 degrees at an atmospheric pressure of 6 bars. The result is a very hard casing material, with consistent, permanent color. The large case (44.5 mm x 49.94 mm x 16.10 mm) can be very spectacular.

When Richard Mille started working with TPT in 2017, it was black, the dominant color for carbon fiber. RM technicians then used quartz fibers, allowing color to be infused into the resin. A gray version of the RM 65-01 was introduced last year, now joined by sky and sun tones. To date, the RM 65-01 has been made in red gold and Carbon TPT, titanium, Carbon TPT and gray quartz TPT. The plate and bridges are made of titanium.

A sophisticated split-seconds chronograph

Split-seconds movements are generally considered among the most complicated to create, even more so than perpetual calendars. Not only is this watch complicated, but it also looks complicated — perhaps resembling the control panel of a space shuttle. But there is a method to this complexity. The colors of the crown and dial are coordinated according to function, with each pusher matching a function on the dial. On the dark yellow model, for example, the pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock start, stop and reset the chronograph. They are marked in red to match the central chronograph hand and the chronograph hour and minute totalizer markings.

Caliber RMAC4: an automatic masterpiece

The 600-component RMAC4 caliber is the most complicated automatic movement made by Richard Mille. It is a split-seconds chronograph with column wheel that operates at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, making it extremely precise. The 60 hour power reserve, however, only applies when the chronograph is not in use, which can obviously affect the running time as with any mechanical chronograph movement.

In the dashboard style, the crown incorporates a function selector allowing you to quickly switch from traditional winding mode (W) to setting the date (D) or hours and minutes (H). This feature is rare. The date is displayed vertically in a window at 11 o'clock, color-coded to match the crown's function selector. The timing functions are all adorned in light blue, including the numerals, the tip of the hour hand and the seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The colors appear to match the energy of the high-frequency movement, and a pusher at 8 o'clock on the side of the case quickly recharges the barrel spring.

Rare and exclusive watches

Like all Richard Mille watches, these models are rare and expensive. The dark yellow RM 65-01 model is limited to 120 pieces. The pastel blue model is not limited. Both are priced at €380,000.

What do you think ? Are these Richard Mille chronographs the perfect addition to your summer collection? Let me know in the comments below.

https://www.aviondevoyager.fr/le-classement-2024-des-10-passeports-les-plus-puissants-du-monde/

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