W&W SPECIAL REPORT
Crystal Clear The Richard Mille RM56-02 Sapphire Tourbillon hides no secrets because literally every single component can be seen, and from all angles WORDS QUAN TRAN
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ichard Mille introduced for the first time, the use of an all-sapphire case with its RM56 Sapphire Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph in 2011. Upping the technological ante is the RM56-01, which is fundamentally similar in its use of sapphire crystal, only its use has extended to the baseplate, bridges, and the third wheel. Turning to this highly contemporary material once again, Richard Mille presented the RM56-02 – another outrageously daredevil creation that brings yet more sapphire to the mix. This watch also intensifies the feeling of transparency and airiness by suspending the titanium base plate from the sapphire case with an elaborate cable and pulley system. The transparent sapphire case, which is made up of three parts each milled and ground from solid blocks of sapphire, has a hardness of 1,800 Vickers, and is virtually scratch-resistant to any material except diamond. Sapphire has also been used in the movement components including the winding barrel bridge, centre bridges, and also the tourbillon bridge. Creating it took over 1,000 hours of machining, of which 430 were spent on pre-forming the individual components, and 350 on polishing the entire case. More on the pulley system: Four pulleys on posts at the corners of the case are supplemented by a further six along the periphery, while a fine braided cable measuring just 0.35mm binds the movement to the system. A ratchet at nine o’clock allows the wearer to adjust the tension on the cable and an arrow-shaped indicator at 12 o’clock informs you if the cable is too tense or not tense enough.
MOVEMENT Manual-winding Calibre RM56-02 tourbillon with 38-hour power reserve CASE 50.5mm x 42.7mm x 16.75mm in sapphire crystal, water resistant to 30m STRAP Water resistant Aerospace Nano
EDITOR’S NOTE: The cable system is a novel method to protect the movement against shock and vibration, although, given the brittle properties of sapphire, should the watch come in contact with a strong impact, the case is likely to shatter first. Only 10 examples of this watch were made, so it is a masterpiece for those who truly appreciate the futuristic watchmaking endeavours of modern horologers like Richard Mille. 66