Richard Mille RM 30-01 Automatic with declutchable rotor
Richard Mille RM 30-01 Automatic with declutchable rotor
- New calibre RMAR2 calibre, a complex mechanism that is easy to use
- The combination of an oversized date and a declutchable rotor
- The timeless lines of the Richard Mille tonneau shape
With the new RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor, the brand is demonstrating its ability to generate intense emotion stemming from the excellence of its technical expertise. A meticulous inspection of its double dial combining titanium and sapphire sets the tone.
Like its predecessors, it benefits from the aesthetic solutions and technical advances that are adopted with each new design. But far from forgetting its roots, the RM 30-01 is strengthening them through a reinterpreted skeletonised design that helps to establish graphic balance.
The grade 5 titanium bridges and baseplate create perspective and depth through the multiplication of their parallel segments. The curves of the previous models have been eliminated to allow a diamond-based geometry to emerge that adds dynamic energy to the display of information. The power-reserve, clutch engagement and function-selector indicators thus benefit from an unprecedented arrangement, highlighted by coloured transfers for added emphasis.
In addition, the complexity of the new automatic RMAR2 calibre in no way precludes a certain aesthetic restraint, which helps to optimise its ergonomics and use. This kinetic sculpture is showcased by its components, such as the function-selector cam and oversized-date discs.
To remove any tension linked to winding, the RM 30-01’s variable-geometry rotor automatically declutches once the power reserve reaches 55 hours by disconnecting itself from the winding mechanism.
It thus enables the RMAR2 calibre to operate when the barrel torque benefits from the best constant torque/power ratio. When energy starts running short as soon as the 40-hour power-reserve threshold is crossed, the rotor reengages to rewind the barrel spring. It also allows the oscillating organ to operate while delivering excellent chronometric performance. It is possible to observe these phases on the clutch engagement indicator located at 11 o’clock, which shows the wearer whether the rotor is operating in the winding phase (on) or is disengaged (off).
The function selector also facilitates everyday life by allowing the owner to choose their desired mode by simply pressing the pusher at 2 o’clock. The indicator positioned on the dial above the oversized date informs them of the chosen option at all times: W for winding, D for date correction, and H for setting the hands.
Two variations of the watch highlight the sculptural tonneau-shaped case. One features a case back and bezel in 5N red gold teamed with a case middle in grade 5 titanium, while the other is entirely machined in this hypoallergenic material, which boasts exceptional resistance to corrosion and shocks. Its weight, which has been reduced as much as possible (to 96 grammes including the strap), and its ergonomics contribute to its remarkably comfortable feel on the wrist. Whatever version is selected – whether it is the grade 5 titanium timepiece or its counterpart in 5N red gold combined with grade 5 titanium, both beautifully enhanced with the same finishes (satin-finished, polished bevels, etc.) –, the taut lines and complex geometry of this case produce it one of the most difficult to develop and manufacture in the entire watchmaking industry. The RM 30-01 thus inherits the artistic and technical options that have been developed with such rigour by Richard Mille.
A true synthesis of the identity of its collections, the RM 30-01 stays true to Richard Mille’s key values: ergonomics, pure lines and exceptional finishes. The RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor epitomises not only the quintessence of the brand, but also the many aesthetic adventures experienced by Richard Mille for over twenty years.
Keep your mind moving. More than a mantra, it offers a compass oriented towards unfettered and uncompromising creation. For Richard Mille, every challenge must always be met with panache. Experience and expertise form an indispensable duo for giving form to this ambition; the new
RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor is its manifestation. The sequencing of its genome is known. Its predecessors incorporated innovations dedicated to efficiency. Each component, from the declutchable, variable-geometry rotor and function selector, to the power-reserve indicator, contributes to a superlative design. Complexity serves purely to enhance ease of use. On this new model, the level of finishing achieved underscores the watchmakers’ pursuit of perfect craftsmanship and desire to continually push back technical limits. Precision and performance are their distinguishing mark. Both are displayed on the dial and can be appreciated in real time.
Acquiring skills and valuing human experience. For the
RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor, a team of talents worked together like an orchestra brilliantly led by a virtuoso conductor. At Richard Mille, precision is the key to fashioning ever-more innovative timepieces. Here, as in previous creations, every detail counts. Subtlety underscores style. Each nuance added contributes to a harmony in which mechanics and aesthetics work in symbiosis.
Exploration and innovation serve as remarkable beacons for Richard Mille. The course is mapped out towards a distant and borderless watchmaking destination, located off the beaten track and away from the paths of conformity. For the brand, the purpose of taking a detour is not to find a shortcut. Rather, it fosters experience and plumbs the feelings associated with an unbridled imagination. It even encourages a powerful return to the essential.
One after the other, the watches thus consolidate lessons learnt. There is no room for chance. Richard Mille’s story is based on choices. Consulting its previous chapters helps to discern what is to come. Accordingly, like its predecessors, the
RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor benefits from the many artistic and technical options developed and adopted, piece after piece. Future models will likewise inherit creative alternatives inspired by this new watch.
As is the case with every development, this evolution of the RM 030 has not forgotten its roots. Better still, it strengthens them. The
RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor stays true to Richard Mille’s key values. Mechanical complexity boasting infallible reliability serves purely to enhance ease of use. Lightness and ergonomics contribute to comfort for the wearer. The understated style, set off by a discreetly appealing play of colours, ensures exemplary legibility.
The curved tonneau-shaped case has continued to evolve over the years. Always with finesse and justification. Its ideal dimensions provide fertile ground for the use of technical materials, with calibres that relentlessly raise the level of technical expertise. The striking curves of the RM 30-01’s movement extend into a curvilinear perspective, inviting the line to continue its course and avoid breaking the field of vision. After all, isn’t the aim to arouse a sense of visual pleasure, to appreciate the gears in action?
The function selector finds its place on the caseband, and the two enter into symbiosis. This mechanism is paired with a skilfully reworked crown. The RMAR2 calibre draws on layering and delicate contrasts of grey and black. Its redesigned skeletonised design features exclusive geometry that creates a graphic balance on several levels, inviting the movement’s bridges to take part in a remarkable scenography imbued with perspective and depth. The typography used for the numerals and the cartouche displaying the name of the model make a clear statement.
In 2023, the RM 30-01 makes its entrance in Richard Mille history. A fusion of the RM 029 and the RM 030, which are leaving the collection, this model benefits from a holistic approach and thus naturally finds its place at the heart of the collection. It adopts the brand’s fundamental principles. Its aesthetics and calibre form a time machine. Its mechanical assets and visual identity are made to last, like an instant classic.
“Only image formed keeps the vision”.* The form of Richard Mille watches draws its roots from the desire to think outside the box, to reject diktats. Many models are the result of an encounter, an open and budding friendship. A genuine catalyst, human relationships permeate the development of an objet d’art right down to its final assembly. Richard Mille watches generate emotion and heighten the sensory experience.
* Heiddeger
The tonneau shape evokes a sophisticated past. Richard Mille has successfully modernised it, rooting it firmly in the 21
st century. The case of the
RM 001 Tourbillon prescribed this new aesthetic, while that of the
RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor demonstrates the pertinence of this choice. Over the passing years and models, it has established itself as an obvious choice. A conversation between
Julien Boillat (Technical Director of Watch Exteriors) and
Salvador Arbona (Technical Director of Movements) corroborates this. Both have worked in the same technical department for almost 15 years. The dialogue flows freely.
J.B.: The RM 030 was launched in 2011. All these accumulated years of experience now mean that, with the techniques, technologies and expertise we possess internally, we can optimise every aspect of finishing, from the thickness of the edges to the fixing of the strap.
S.A.: Precisely, we have perfected the RM 030. However, redesigning an earlier model adds extra difficulty when compared to working on an original project. We approached this project as if the watch had never existed and we asked ourselves: What’s good about it? What could be improved? Above all, we had to make sure we didn’t forget anything! The slightest adaptation can disrupt an entire timepiece. Here, we added a function selector and changed the displays.
J.B.: We had to make sure we checked the essential points for mounting the calibre in the caseband, the points on the flange, the workings of the crown, and the mechanism linked to the pusher. A new movement imposes its own rules. Our checklist remains identical for all our watches, even if we carry out many more tests nowadays to approve a timepiece.
S.A.: In concrete terms, this ranges from ten-year ageing simulation to multiple shock tests – such as the
“Nadal” shock test, a demanding test performed internally on the brand’s sports watches – to say nothing of tests for water resistance and the effects of magnetism. It takes hours just to read all the lines of a product validation session. The whole process represents a year’s work. It is vital that the soundness of the technical proposals made throughout the process, and the different positions of the casing-up and flange screws, are confirmed. We move forward in stages, by partial validations. This is how the project is co-constructed. It’s undoubtedly a lot of work, but it’s the price we pay for the peace of mind and quality required by the brand. When a watch leaves our workshops, we know that it can face even the most demanding everyday conditions.
J.B.: Every detail is important, even the surfaces of the components we don’t see. For instance, both the top and underside of the hands are always magnificent. Every element of the calibre and case is designed with its overall finish in mind, whether it is visible or not.
S.A.: I’m certainly not going to say otherwise! In the movement, each piece is crafted individually and then worked on as part of an ensemble. This is our method for creating uncompromising watches. The watch as a whole must be irreproachable. We are aiming for excellence.
When a project launches, all the artisans are summoned. Major deliberations involving lots of discussions take place with all the teams to decide on the direction we are going to take. It’s not enough to simply complicate things: there has to be coherence and a certain restraint. Working on the RM 30-01 to provide it an original, uncluttered design was quite a tricky task. It took us right back to the beginning of the Richard Mille story.
S.A.: The RM 30-01 has all the distinguishing characteristics of a Richard Mille watch: ergonomics, an ultra-skeletonised design, and a weight that has been reduced as far as possible, etc. These remarkable properties are found on this timepiece, with its dimensions of 42 x 49.94 x 17.59 mm and a weight of 96 grammes, including the strap on the titanium version. And on this model, as for its predecessors, we are constantly showcasing its technicity.
J.B.: Exactly! The technical aspect always determines the form. It contributes to the case’s delicate aesthetic restraint and to the incredibly pure lines of the RM 30-01. The composition fosters visual harmony.
We have to think of all the criteria when validating products, right from the start. The specifications are extremely precise. All our watches – whether sports, lifestyle, jewellery or métier d’art – undergo the same procedures, the same tests. We pay incredible attention to detail and finalise each piece down to the tiniest detail for the finishes of all the components, regardless of the materials used. For example, the crown is 25% similar to the one on the RM 030, which was completely microblasted. The new one is distinguished by a satin finish, a microblasted tooth gullet and a polished edge. We also wished to keep its original identity while moving the functions to the function-selector pusher.
S.A.: With the RM 30-01, everything has been done to simplify its everyday use. It is disconcertingly easy to adjust and read off the temporal information it provides, and data related to the calibre’s energy management is smooth, too.
J.B.: Closely observing the components confirms this. For example, the first dial is made of sapphire crystal and the second of titanium, appearing like a movement bridge. This feat was possible purely because we manufacture many calibres and components internally (there are 15 in-house movements to date). We have accumulated a great deal of experience in machining titanium, which we use to produce these metal dials in our workshops. We have made great progress in mastering these skills and, nowadays, an increasing number of resources enable us to work in-house (gem-setting, profile-turning, machining, etc.).
S.A.: Especially with the power of IT, which also helps us to perfect each component. A 3D prototype is used to validate all our calculations.
10/1-scale mock-ups made in-house enable us to test and understand how certain mechanical developments may react. As a result, we can detect potential problems upstream and find the best solutions for optimal functioning. In the past, there were several versions, then adjustments were made by hand to finalise the components. Nowadays, we avoid this situation as much as possible. The aim is to adjust as little as possible to achieve the end result. Everything is more optimised.
J.B.: We sometimes carry out the same complex calculations as those used to design an aeroplane. We have extremely accurate knowledge of weaknesses. For example, we know where we can reduce material to create a lighter timepiece. Performing this work upstream influences the shapes of the components and the overall aesthetic.
S.A.: The aim is that the brand identity is always present, as was the case with the RM 50-02 and the RM 62-01 with Airbus Corporate Jets, featuring a special bezel shaped like an aircraft window, or with the RM 40-01 McLaren Speedtail, whose lines, inspired by the hypercar, were blended with those of the tonneau shape.
J.B.: It’s still a challenge for us all to use the many materials that are unique to Richard Mille (such as Carbon TPT®, Quartz TPT®, Titalyt®, TZP and ATZ ceramics, etc.). A few years ago, we didn’t know how to machine ceramic but now we shape it internally. We are evolving, as is the technology we use. However, machines don’t do everything, far from it. We have to have the best people to get the maximum from these machines.
Automatic with Declutchable Rotor
The
RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor embodies over two decades of perfectly mastered technical expertise. The elegance and assets of the two variations forge its timeless yet contemporary style, beyond fashion and passing trends. Its case adopts the iconic and elegant tonneau shape. Its grade 5 titanium caseband is combined with a caseback and bezel fastened using 20 spline screws, both machined in this hypoallergenic material boasting spectacular resistance to corrosion and shock. Richard Mille offers a refined alternative that marries this robust alloy with the same elements fashioned in red gold.
The choice of these materials is no accident. In addition to their intrinsic properties, grade 5 titanium and red gold are enhanced by some truly admirable finishes. Their satin-finished surfaces, polished bevels and delicate shades interact with the architecture of the self-winding movement. All the remarkably executed decorations highlight the structure of the new skeletonised RMAR2 calibre. The case’s nuanced restraint represents the brand’s mechanical world and is an invitation to discover its finer points.
Accordingly, this calibre incorporates a composition in relief. On top, a pair of wide openworked hours and minutes hands turn with rigour and precision. Their finish, adorned with white luminescent material, delivers comfortable legibility under any conditions, whether in broad daylight or at twilight.
An off-centred aperture at 4 o’clock gives the oversized date an ideal window for reading off information. The presence of a sapphire-crystal dial allows the inner workings, including the two DLC-treated titanium discs that make up the calendar, to be admired.
The revisited organisation of the temporal data can be taken in at a glance. It is possible to quickly see how much energy is available, or if this energy is optimal for the calibre to function properly, by placing the model’s primary function – the declutchable rotor – at the centre of the timepiece.
The indicator dominating the calibre provides real-time information about the movement’s power reserve. If the small central hand featuring a red tip is pointing at the blue section, between 40 and 55 hours, the calibre’s energy efficiency is in its most favourable zone. In this way, the power-reserve indicator offers optimal winding control. The clutch engagement indicator located at 11 o’clock provides the possibility of checking the different phases. It tells the wearer whether the titanium or white-gold weight is in the winding phase (on) or disengaged (off).
The function-selector indicator recalls which function has been activated using the pusher integrated into the caseband at 2 o’clock. The W mode serves to wind the calibre, while date correction is triggered when the dedicated hand points to D. Meanwhile, the hands of the RM 30-01 can be set in the H position. Here, the selection cam has been unveiled to give the wearer the pleasure of contemplating the kinematics of the timepiece, as on the RM 07-04 Automatic Sport.
Moreover, subtle touches of colour add dynamic energy to the display. Orange adorns the hour-markers and tips of the sweep-seconds hand, while blue encircles the date and highlights the numbers 6 and 12.
Quality is evident in the details. With the
RM 30-01 Automatic with Declutchable Rotor, Richard Mille is perpetuating this philosophy and enriching the lexicon of contemporary fine watchmaking.
at the heart of the RMAR2 calibre
A genuine modern kinetic sculpture, the RMAR2 calibre distils the excellence of Richard Mille’s expertise. Layering the grade 5 titanium bridges creates maximum volume, while all curves have been eliminated. The straight lines created in the parallel segments – 12 to 3 o’clock and 9 to 6 o’clock – contribute to an inventive geometry. The diamond structure thus created energises the design.
The RMAR2 calibre orchestrates the most essential time information: hours, minutes, seconds and oversized date. A double-barrel system ensures enhanced torque stability. The declutchable variable-geometry rotor produces the necessary on demand energy.
The variable-inertia balance guarantees excellent reliability in the event of shocks and improves precision over the long term. The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable calibration of the inertia is possible thanks to four small adjustable weights located directly on the balance.
The function selector, meanwhile, provides the RM 30-01 versatility of use. This indicator first appeared on the RM 002-V1 and has gradually come to feature more widely on automatic Richard Mille timepieces. In concrete terms, it is no longer necessary to pull the crown into different positions to wind the watch or set the time. The pusher housed in the caseband allows you to choose the desired mode. The indicator positioned on the dial above the oversized date displays the chosen option at any time, like an automotive gearbox. From a technical point of view, this involved creating a multi-position clutch system controlled by the pusher. The selector operates on a cam activated by a rocker, which manoeuvres a sliding pinion. This specific gear system minimises the stress exerted on the crown.
The declutchable variable-geometry rotor optimises energy management and is the jewel in the crown of the RMAR2 calibre. To check that the mechanism is functioning correctly, several indicators inform the wearer about its activity in real time. A clear, intuitive display ensures that all data is conveyed in an exemplary fashion.
In a conventional watch, the rotor subjects the barrel to strong constraints during the winding phases. When the mainspring is completely taut, all excess tension must be avoided. To circumvent this potentially damaging constraint, a sliding-clamp system can be activated when the mainspring reaches its maximum resistance. However, this creates a pile of debris inside the barrel after long periods of excessive winding, particularly in the case of a very active person. In the long term, this may impair the timepiece’s chronometric performance.
To remove any tension linked to winding, the RM 30-01’s rotor can automatically declutch, disconnecting from the winding mechanism when the mainspring is ideally wound. The mainspring thus accumulates energy optimally, without suffering these constraints.
This mechanism, which first appeared in 2011, is connected to the movement’s power-reserve indicator and offers ultra-precise winding control. It enables the calibre to function where the barrel torque benefits from the best constant torque/power ratio. It also allows the oscillating organ to operate with excellent chronometric performance.
In practical terms, integrated into the RMAR2 calibre, it automatically disconnects the rotor from the barrel once the power reserve reaches 55 hours. When energy starts running short, as soon as the 40-hour threshold is reached, the rotor reengages to rewind the barrel spring. The torque of this component thus enjoys the best constant torque/power ratio.
Clutch engagement and power-reserve indicators
The clutch engagement indicator positioned at 11 o’clock is the control centre for managing the calibre’s energy and makes it possible to know whether the rotor is operating (on) or is disengaged (off). Its manufacture and miniaturisation represent a real technical feat. When the power reserve reaches 55 hours, the rotor is automatically declutched via a dedicated mechanism. At this stage, the rotor is uncoupled from the barrel. The power-reserve indicator in the centre of the dial informs the wearer how much energy is available.
Function selector
Inspired by automotive gearboxes, the function selector is easy to use thanks to a pusher integrated into the caseband at 2 o’clock. The wearer may choose to either set the time, wind the calibre or set the date. This system minimises constraints on the crown, and there is no longer any interference possible between the movement and the crown’s functions.
The oversized date
The oversized date display is located at 4 o’clock in an off-centre aperture that provides the ideal opening for easy reading of the numerals.
Declutchable variable-geometry rotor
Boasting a high-performance variable-geometry system with 5 positions that can be adjusted using grade 5 titanium screws and ceramic ball bearings, this type of rotor optimises the winding of the mainspring for the wearer’s level of physical activity. Adjusting the position of the wing changes the inertia of the rotor: this operation either accelerates the winding process in the case of leisurely arm movements, or slows it down during sporting activities.
Baseplate and bridges in grade 5 titanium
Thanks to its aluminium and vanadium content, microblasted grade 5 titanium imbues the baseplate with high rigidity and excellent flatness, both of which are essential to perfect functioning of the going train. The skeletonised baseplate and the bridges underwent exacting tests to verify their resistance capacity.
Tonneau case
Its lines and rounded curves have become an aesthetic signature. Whether in grade 5 titanium or a subtle combination of grade 5 titanium and red gold, its finishes highlight the slightest detail of its complex design.