RM 21-01 TOURBILLON AERODYNE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE RM 21-01 TOURBILLON AERODYNE
Limited edition of 50 pieces.
CALIBRE RM21-01: Manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, function selector, power-reserve and torque indicators.
Case dimensions: 42.68 x 50.12 x 14.30 mm
MAIN FEATURES
POWER RESERVE Circa 70 hours (±10%) indicated on the numeric scale at 11 o’clock.
BASEPLATE IN HONEYCOMBED ORTHORHOMBIC HAYNES®214® WITH CARBON TPT® CORE HAYNES® 214® is a nickel-chromium-aluminium-iron alloy, designed to provide the optimum in high-temperature oxidation resistance for a wrought austenitic material, while at the same time allowing conventional forming and joining. Intended principally for use at temperatures of 955°C and above, 214® alloy exhibits resistance to oxidation that far exceeds that of virtually all conventional heat-resistant wrought alloys at these temperatures.
Combined with a Carbon TPT® core, the honeycombed geometrical pattern of HAYNES® 214® offers unparalleled stiffness, a low thermal expansion coefficient and exceptional torsion resistance.
The orthorhombic baseplate is given a blue PVD treatment to highlight its original construction
BRIDGES MADE OF GRADE 5 TITANIUM Bridges are crafted of grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90% grade 5 titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination further increases the material’s mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautics and automotive industries. They are coated with a 5N gold PVD treatment.
The skeletonised baseplate and bridges were subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimise their resistance capacities.
FUNCTION SELECTOR In a manner similar to a car’s gearbox, a push-button located at the centre of the crown allows one to select the winding, neutral and hand-setting functions with a simple push. A hand at 4 o’clock displays the selected function.
TORQUE INDICATOR Utilising a numeric scale located between 12 and 1 o’clock, the indicator provides a visualisation of the mainspring’s internal tension, allowing optimisation of the movement’s timing. Below 5.3 N.mm, the spring is too slack; at the other extreme, above 6.5 N.mm, excessive tension can adversely affect the running of the movement and may even cause damage.
FREE-SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA The free-sprung balance offers greater reliability in the event of shocks or 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.
BARREL PAWL WITH PROGRESSIVE RECOIL This device permits an appreciable winding gain (circa 20%), especially during the start of winding. It also promotes the even distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.
MODULAR TIME-SETTING MECHANISM ON THE CASEBACK Provides the following advantages for longevity and maintenance: - Since the component is mounted outside of the movement, the time-setting assembly can be changed without affecting the integrity of the baseplate in the event of a possible defect or during maintenance. - The mounting and dismantling of this module from the back does not require the removal of the hands or dial.
WHEEL-BASED TIME-SETTING SYSTEM ( BACK OF THE MOVEMENT) Provides smooth time-setting functions by eliminating engaging friction and replacing it with rolling friction.
WINDING-BARREL TEETH AND THIRD-WHEEL PINION WITH CENTRAL INVOLUTE PROFILE The central involute profile of the winding barrel teeth and pinion provides an optimal pressure angle of 20°. This promotes effective rotary motion and compensates for possible variations in the engagement of the going train, thus insuring excellent torque transmission with a distinct improvement in performance.
SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES AND CASE This permits better control of the torque applied to screws during assembly. These screws are unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.
OTHER FEATURES
- Movement dimensions: 30.20 x 29.20 mm - Thickness: 7.14 mm - Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm - Balance wheel diameter: 10.00 mm - Jewels: 27, set in white gold chatons - Balance: GLUCYDUR ®, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 10 mg•cm 2, angle of lift 53º - Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz) - Balance spring: elinvar by Nivarox ® - Torque indicator: with reference measurement in N.mm - Shock protection: KIF Elastor KE 160 B28 - Barrel shaft: nickel-free Chronifer ® (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S) with the following characteristics: stainless – antimagnetic - suitable for tempering
CASE MADE OF 5N RED GOLD AND CARBON TPT ® From the case and dial to each piece of the movement, the design and execution of the watch demonstrate a holistic approach to conception of the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications. The casing ring is eliminated, and the movement is fixed to the chassis with four grade 5 titanium screws and silent blocks (ISO SW).
Carbon TPT ® is a highly technical material made up of 600 layers of parallel filaments obtained by separating out carbon fibres. The layers, no more than 30 microns thick, are assembled on a dedicated machine, which stacks the layers, varying the orientation of the fibres by 45° between layers and saturated with a black matrix. The composite is then heated to 120°C at a pressure of 6 bars in a kiln similar to that used for the production of aeronautics parts, after which it is ready to be machined at Richard Mille. During this phase, the many layers of Carbon TPT ® are revealed, creating random damascene patterns that make each piece unique.
The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 metres, ensured by 2 Nitrile O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
INTERIOR FLANGE In microblasted titanium.
DIAL In sapphire (thickness: 0.40 mm) with anti-glare treatment (both sides), protected by 8 silicon braces inserted in the upper and lower flanges grooves.
CRYSTAL Bezel side In sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides) Thickness: 1.50 mm
Caseback In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides) Thickness: 1.20 mm at the centre; outer edges 2.04 mm
FINISHING
MOVEMENT - Hand-polished anglage - Hand-polished locking sections - Sapphire-blasted milled sections - Lapped and polished contact points - Burnished pivots
STEEL PARTS - Sapphire-blasted surfaces - Hand-polished anglage
WHEELS - Concave chamfering with a diamond tool - Circular-finished faces - Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth) - Minimal corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance