FICHE RICHARD MILLE-RM018 correc:Mise en page 1

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE RICHARD MILLE
TOURBILLON RM 018 “Hommage à Boucheron”
This Richard Mille tourbillon wristwatch was developed in conjunction with the artisans at Boucheron
as a celebration of their 150th Anniversary and will be produced in a limited edition of 30 numbered
watches in 18ct white gold.
Since their inception in 1858, the house of Boucheron has been creating masterpieces for
exceptional clients of every caliber, and the past is dotted with masterpieces of historic jewelry from
their workshops on 26, Place Vendôme, such as the legendary tiara for the wife of Tsar Nicholas II,
and creations for the Shah of Iran and the Maharajah of Patiala. It was Richard Mille’s aim to create
a wristwatch in homage to that history that would combine the exceptional talents of both
companies; a literal synthesis of the jeweler’s tradition and 21st century horology. The result is
a wristwatch unlike any other, the world premiere arrival of semi-precious and precious stones into
the essence of watchmaking itself.
CALIBER RM 018 : Manual winding tourbillon with power reserve, hours, minutes.
Dimensions : Length 48 mm x 39.70 mm (widest point) x 12.80 mm (thickest area)
MAIN FEATURES
(MANY OF WHICH ARE MAJOR TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS)
MOVEMENT WHEELS IN SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES
The RM 018 represents the first time that it has been possible to create a number of wheels inside
the movement using semi-precious and precious stones such as tiger-eye, jasper, black onyx and
diamonds. The technique behind their creation required a high level of mathematical modeling in
order to control the process of manufacturing, taking more than three years of development and
testing before a perfect result was to be found. The wheels, once constructed, are each given a
sunray pattern profile, created entirely by hand, in the ateliers of Boucheron at 26, Place Vendôme
Paris. In this way the RM 018 represents the ultimate example of what can be achieved by the
transformation of ancient materials into horological impulses, using skills from the historic traditions
of the jeweler’s craft to create a world premiere 21st century timepiece.
PLATES CREATED FROM SYNTHETIC SAPPHIRE Al O 2 3
This represents the total elimination of the baseplate structure by the use of two full sized,
transparent plates that act as bridges supporting the entire movement. The rhomboidal crystalline
structure of synthetic sapphire crystal Al2O3 , in combination with its high melting point of 2,303
Kelvin and minimal thermal coefficient of linear expansion (6 x 10-6 ), make it exceptionally stable
even under conditions far outside those of normal use. It also possesses an abrasion stability eight
times higher that of steel.
WINDING BARREL AND COVER FROM SYNTHETIC SAPPHIRE Al O 2 3
This not only allows a view of the watch’s internal structure: it also eliminates temperature
discrepancies between the movement and winding barrel’s ambient temperature since both have
the same temperature coefficient, thus providing additional stability to the movement.
TEETH OF BARREL AND THIRD WHEEL PINION WITH CORRECTED INVOLUTE PROFILE
The corrected profiles of the teeth allows a double pressure angle of 10° and 20°, thus effectively
promoting smooth movement and compensating possible variations of engagement. This ensures
excellent torque transmission and a distinct improvement in performance.
1

TOURBILLON RM 018 “Hommage à Boucheron”
CRYSTAL
Bezel side: In sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (2 sides).
Thickness: 1.20 mm
Case back: In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (2 sides)
Thickness: at the center 1 mm and outer edges 1.73 mm
FLANGE (upper and lower)
In carbon fiber with index points filled with approved luminous material.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
- Movement dimensions: 31.20 x 28.20 mm
- Thickness: 6.68 mm
- Diameter of the tourbillon cage: 10.90 mm
- Diameter of the balance wheel: 10 mm
- Number of jewels: 29
- Balance wheel: GLUCYDUR, 2 arms.
- Moment of inertia: 10 mg.cm2 , lever angle 53°
- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Balance spring: ELINVAR by NIVAROX
- Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28
- Stone settings in white gold
- Barrel shaft: in chronifer without nickel (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S), which has the following characteristics:
non-oxidizable – antimagnetic – hardened.
FINISHING
MOVEMENT
- Anglage and polishing by hand
- Locking sections hand polished
- Sapphire blasted milled sections
- Lapped and polished contact points
- Burnished pivots
STEEL PARTS
- Sapphire blasted surfaces
- Satin-finished surfaces
- Anglage and polishing by hand
WHEELS AND TEETH
(Applies to all metal as well as semi-precious, precious/metal wheel combinations)
- Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
- Circular finished faces
- Gilding (before cutting the teeth)
- Minimum manual correction to the wheels undertaken in order to preserve geometry and performance
2