Exploring a multitude of avenues, pursuing thoughtful consideration to achieve a rich and dynamic design... From the very first, creation of a Richard Mille watch involves a comprehensive approach. 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.

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: 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.

Functions 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.

Barrel pawl with progressive recoil
It permits an appreciable winding gain (around 20%), especially during the start of winding. It is also helpful in the distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.

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 ensuring excellent torque transmission with a distinct improvement in performance.

Safety system with blocking gear
This system protects the roller jewel of the balance, as well as the winding barrel from possible over winding.

Ceramic endstone for the tourbillon cage
This reflects a technical and long-term view towards the elimination of wear phenomena, resulting in improved technical tribology.

Spline screws in grade 5 titanium for the bridges and case
This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.

• Dimensions: 31.25 x 29.45 mm
  
• Thickness: 4,65 mm
  
• Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm
  
• Balance wheel diameter: 10.00 mm
  
• Jewels: 23
  
• Balance: GLUCYDUR^®, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 10 mg•cm², angle of lift 53°
  
• Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
  
• Balance spring: elinvar by Nivarox^®
  
• 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
This was the subject of an entire year of research and development. Everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications, in the manner of the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars, where the chassis and the engine are developed in complete harmony.

For example, a casing ring is no longer used and the movement is mounted on chassis mounting rubbers (ISO SW) fixed by 4 grade 5 titanium screws. Features such as these are evidence of uncompromising workmanship.

The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 metres, ensured by 2 Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.

Torque-limiting crown
This additional security system prevents accidental over-winding, which could cause damage such breaking of the win- ding stem, or too much pressure on the barrel spring.

Interior flange
In grade 5 titanium with black galvanic treatment.

Dial
In sapphire (thickness: 0.30 mm) with anti-glare treatment (both sides), protected by 8 silicon braces inserted in the upper and lower grooves.

Crystal

• Bezel side: In sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
  Thickness: 1.50 mm
  
• Caseback: Verre saphir avec traitement anti-reflet (des deux côtés)
  Thickness: 1.00 mm at the centre; outer edges 1.73 mm

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
  
• Anglage and polishing by hand
  
• Burnished sections
  
• Satin finished surfaces

Wheels

• Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
  
• Circular finished faces
  
• Rhodium-plating (before cutting the teeth)
  
• Minimum correction applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance