at AP Renaud and Papi.....
It is not secret that Richard Mille has a special relationship with APR&P. From the beginning with the RM001, there has been a public and admitted relationship that allows for the cross fertilization of new ideas and techniques from Richard Mille to Audemars Piquet and vice versa (
http://www.thepurists.com/watch/features/interviews/MilleApr02/index.html). In what is regarded as an unusual situation in the Swiss watch industry, the open co-operation between Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille has brought benefit to both sides.
Richard Mille may not be the largest client for APR&P, but he remains closet to the heart of this ‘dreamwork’ factory in Le Locle, and Richard Mille’s flights of fancy are often given form by the talented watchmakers found in this NASA of the watch industry. Because of Richard Mille’s use of resources at Renaud and Papi, there is one bench in the watchmakers room dedicated to the brand. At the far end, a team of 4 to 6 young and talented watchmakers take care of the production of RM002 and RM003 tourbillons. (It might be noted that the bench beside the talented 4 has a couple of watchmakers dedicated to the RM004-v2 production).
Working in near silence, rarely looking up from their work, they allowed an itinerant watch enthusiast a few moments of their time to photograph what they were working on. Below are some never seen before pictures of the inner workings of the RM003 under construction. The pictures illustrate how the iconic and stylized back of the Richard Mille watch (first seen in the RM001) is built up.
First, meet the team:
Today’s assignment: completion of RM003-v2’s. Note the part of the going train wheel, lower tourbillon bridge and underside of the winding barrel now visible before the entire back assembly is finished. Only the lowest of the 3 plate stiffeners (at 6 o’clock) has been
added at this stage.
The other components of the watch are arrayed on the work desk. Here: the parts for the hands, the back plate composition, and the GMT time zone indicator:
Fitting the elements requires the use of specialized screw drivers built for use with the Richard Mille screws:
Front and back of the case: The pictures illustrate the three component parts of case (front, back, and centre). Each part of the case has been finished, and the tolerances for making sure that the three component parts ‘seal’ together have to be exact. Testing for the exactness of fit, and depth testing will have been completed at the case manufacturer.
Once fitted, the watch begins to take on its characteristic form: The back elements of the watch are fitted:
Other elements that comprise the next watch are on the work bench. The carbon-nanofibre base plate, partially pre-assembled:
And one that has had some further work and awaiting completion before being fixed to the case:
Once the case back and front have been fixed, the watch undergoes timing regulation (in 5 different positions):
After which, it is wrapped in plastic, and placed in a tray, to await a strap being fixed and delivery to the eagerly awaiting client…
On the wrist? Beyond cool….
Authors note: I wish to thank Theodore Diehl (Press and Public Relations Officer for Richard Mille watches), all at Renaud and Papi, and Richard Mille for their kind support, cooperation, and help in facilitating this article.
