Most manufacturers produce primarily round watches, and shaped cases are the exception to the rule. Richard Mille takes the opposite approach, but then this brand is anything but traditional. From the launch of the brand’s first watch, the RM 001, it has been known for bold, tonneau cases, with the more conservative round and rectangular cases providing styling counterpoints. The Richard Mille RM 33 Extra Flat, from 2011, is a striking piece, but what to do if you prefer a date display? Now those who fancy the RM 33’s looks can have their cake and eat it too. The new RM 33-01 adds a date, discretely tucked away at 7 o’clock to preserve the balanced, symmetrical look.
The Richard Mille RM 33-01 is powered by the new, skeletonized RMXP3 caliber. This movement is built on a hand-ground, grade-5 titanium baseplate that is wet sandblasted and electoplasma-treated. The bridges too are grade-5 titanium with hand-polished top surfaces, diamond-polished sinks, and hand-applied anglage. The mainspring is wound by an off-center platinum micro rotor. The gear wheels feature circular-smoothed faces, polished angles, and concave diamond chamfering. Regulation is provided by a free-sprung, variable-inertia balance. The movement runs in 29 jewels at 21,600 vph.
The movement is displayed to great effect beneath a sapphire dial with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The sporty case measures 47.5 x 9.2 mm, and it maintains the curvature of the brand’s tonneau cases, assuring an excellent fit on the wrist. The water-resistance rating is 30 meters. The RM 33-01 will be available in titanium, and in red gold or white gold with a caseband in grade 5 titanium. Prices have not been determined.
