Velociphile (Login Velociphile) AP Discussion Group
Being an ‘engine guy’ I can get pretty excited about a car or bike that may be circulating in the midfield simply because “it has the highest revving wire sprung engine” or whatever. So, for a brand so associated with high performance motorsport and ‘drawing’ upon it for inspiration, I find it odd that the ‘engine’ seems to have such a disappointing spec for a ‘technorak’ like myself.
If I draw an analogy with engines, we can assess them in very specific terms and I’ve always had a formula in the back of my mind when I look at a watch that says:
Chances of being impressed ~= (vph^2 X balance wheel inertia X power reserve)
If I apply this to RM, I come up short. Why is it that the RM range seems to mostly consist of an unremarkable 21600 frequency, with a modest 10 mgcm2 balance and average power reserve of 50-70 hours or so? In fact the balance power is 1/3 to a 1/4 of a Rolex 3135. That doesn’t sound very ‘F1’. Surely with these unique applied materials we should be looking at the highest combination of balance power and energy reserve?
Interesting point, and let me see if I can do justice to your argument....
March 4 2006, 1:52 AM
You appear to have a very exact preference function. Indeed, to the point of excluding any untangibles about design, looks, straightforward sex appeal... There are motorbikes that not only appeal in terms of the engine, but also the design and 'look' of the thing. (I know, such a bike would not appeal to you). Likewise, the Richard Mille watch appeals to a number of emotions that does not only include the 'crank' characteristics of the engine. Given your preference function, and equal weighting on the elements, any watch that produces the highest frequency will win out, almost independent of either of the other two named factors. But I get your point. Using modern material it should be possible to improve the 'engine performance' part of the watch as well as other characteristics. Fair enough, and I agree with you on that. I wish the RM line would start to look at such functions, although perhaps not just in line to meet the Velociphile preference function.
What I do love about the tourbillon design for Richard Mille, that was introduced with the RM001, is the idea of using the cage as a shock protection device and specifically designing it that way. I love the case design (the tourneau shape with the lateral supports), and I also love the introduction of new material elements that may, or may not, improve the watch. Indeed, the elements that are used are included on a self admitted experimental basis, and only time will tell if they really work. Richard Mille is more concerned with structural rigidity and weight and improving these elements. I would argue his watches, like almost any other brand, appeal to the emotions.
However, good and valid point and certainly worth making. Thanks for posting.
Velociphile (Login Velociphile) AP Discussion Group
Yes, of course......
March 5 2006, 10:55 PM
.... I was being extreme to make the point, but, yes, I have to own up to being most interested in the core timekeeping attributes of a watch than the rag and fluff or emotional elements. It just seemed a fair observation that there is a lot of novelty in certain aspects of the watches and not (yet?) in others.
Notwithstanding the shock protection, it seems that Richard has adopted a relatively modest and safe path in respect of the 'technology' level in the balance wheel/escapement/tourbillon end of the watch in terms of the chosen level of vph, inertia and so on; they're all within known bounds not requiring a leap of tech, keeping force levels low and so on. They can thus operate with fairly predictable wear characteristics and behaviours etc.
It is a lower risk and I see this as a sensible and pragmatic choice for a new brand with the concentration of novelty elsewhere to start with where it is arguably less critical to the core performance of the watch as a timekeeper and probably more marketable.
It leads me to think and hope that Richard's next steps might therefore be to square up to the difficulties present in handling, in particular, the challenging "stop-start" dynamics of the tourbillon cage for which his novel and clever choice of materials might be capable of unlocking previously unobtainable dynamics (higher vph and higher balance inertias) with inherently more stable time keeping potential.
