A while back I reported on the start of construction on the RM004-V2. Production of the RM004-V2 had been delayed as the movement itself had undergone modification and improvement.
A couple of months later, I am back in Le Locle, and wondering around the horological dreamworks (spliced with NASA) that is Audemars Piguet Renaud and Papi where the production of Richard Mille¡¦s more complicated watches and prototypes takes place. There, as promised back in June, was a workbench with two watchmakers dedicated to the production of RM004-V2's. For all the Richard Mille customers awaiting news of their RM004-V2 chronograph, I bring great news. See below!
On a workbench somewhere in Switzerland:
This dedicated and skilled watchmaker is busy concentrating on the construction of the RM004-V2 movements:
For a short while, I sat and observed him at work. No noise, no distractions, just concentration and dedication to the complex skilled task at hand. By the end of my time sitting and watching him, the movement was ticking and I had the 'live' movement in my hand!
Just love the beautiful big balance wheel and the bridge design on the RM004-V2:
Once they had put a gun to my head () and prised the movement out of my hand, the movement was mounted into a titanium case. Note once again how the Formula One philosophy allows the watch to be mounted into the case swiftly (held by four screws) and then the case closed. The case was closed using 'holding screws' only. The main case screws for the finished piece are not used because of their high finish on the visible ends and while the watch is being adjusted in its case fitting, holding screws are used.
The movement in its case:
And from the front:
And finally (for Dario): light and comfortable enough so that you hardly notice that it is there:
Titanium case, titanium screws, bridges, hands, crown, carbon nanofibre baseplate. To my mind, the ultimate chronograph on the market. The men with the guns turned up again and I had to hand the RM004-V2 over to them. .
Hopefully soon, as the RM004-V2 pieces are put through final testing (adjusted for position and accuracy), the watches themselves will be on their way to all who wait.
Patience is not only a virtue, but brings its own reward! Trust me on this one!
Thanks for looking
Andrew H
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.
I noticed that the side screws are just the "regular" screws. Are these just placeholders so it's easy to open and close the case or are they moving away from the 5 prong custom screws?
The screws you see are just 'holding screws' - used to simply
October 3 2006, 9:00 PM
keep the case together for a while, while fine-tuning the movement in the case, and then the polished case screws (characteristic Richard Mille five prong) are applied.
I love that one of the movement from the side! It's soooo cool.
That shot of the light reflecting off the dial made me think... What would a RM look like with a silver/shiny dial?
Thanks ks. Yes, orders are still being taken. Annual
October 4 2006, 8:19 PM
production will be as high as possible (given constraints on the quality), so I have no idea what annual production will be in actual numbers. There is a commitment from Richard Mille to dedicate resources to fulfil the RM004 wait list. It is something upper most in his mind.
But in the RM 008, you get the tourbillon AND the split-second chrono.
Thanks for the wonderful report and pics, Andrew. And thanks to Theodore D. as well.
Cheers,
Wootichai
P.S. Isn't it ironic that the watchmaker wears probably the simplest & most affordable chrono (in the form of Swatch Irony) while working on one of the most complicated and EXPENSIVE chronos we have seen (RM 004)? Things that make you go hmmm...
More seriously I was with some one yesterday who had a one off RM008. I'll post pictures soon since his watch was still a prototype and will undergo some changes) and the sub seconds made it very difficult to perfectly see the tourbillon cage.
One of the problems with photographing ANY Richard Mille watch is how the light catches the watch and how the 'look' of the watch changes as the light does. For example, two pictures of an RM008 (in platinum - heavy!) in different lights. In one, the toubillon is clearly visible, in another, it is not. Strange, but adds to the allure of the Richard Mille watch as you look at it at different times of day and in different light. You notice different details.
The RM004_V1 presented the new system - the V2 contains a modification
October 4 2006, 8:33 PM
to that system (that still holds a patent). Read back through the RM004 threads on this forum to learn more. I highlighted one at the start of my post. Enjoy the read!
And particularly the new system for the split second wheel to get back, I don't understand how does it work and I think that the RM004 in the photos has a normal system with roller jewel and heart cam
) and prised the movement out of my hand, the movement was mounted into a titanium case. Note once again how the Formula One philosophy allows the watch to be mounted into the case swiftly (held by four screws) and then the case closed. The case was closed using 'holding screws' only. The main case screws for the finished piece are not used because of their high finish on the visible ends and while the watch is being adjusted in its case fitting, holding screws are used.
