At SIHH in Geneva next month, Richard Mille will introduce a new in-house caliber, the CRMA1. It represents an original concept by the Richard Mille movement designers in Les Breuleux, Switzerland. The movement will debut in the new RM 037 Automatic, which features a patented crown mechanism integrated in the case. Find wallpaper inside.
This automatic winding caliber created from skeletonized grade 5 titanium sports an oversize date at 12 o’clock and a function window at 4 o’ clock. Two subtly shaped pushers are located at 4 and 10 o’clock. The pusher at 4 o’clock allows one to select the winding (W), neutral (N) and hand setting (H) functions with a simple push. An aperture located at 4 o’clock shows the function selected. The second pusher, at 10 o’clock, controls date changes, useful when traveling or for correcting the date when required at the end of the month.
The RM 037 is fitted with a new crown mechanism, patented by Richard Mille. Traditionally, a crown is attached directly to the movement via the stem. This direct connection can cause damage to the movement, for example after a sharp knock to the crown.
The engineers at Richard Mille found a solution to this problem by integrating the crown in the case of the RM 037. This eliminates the need for a stem, and minimizes the risk of losing the crown or breaking the stem in the movement after a knock. The crown is available in polished grade 5 titanium, red gold or white gold with double seal O-ring and collar in Alcryn.
According to Richard Mille, 44 different stamping operations are required for the three main case components (bezel, caseband and case back). The machine tooling process requires two days of adjustment for the bezel, two days for the caseband and two days for the case back. The empty case requires more than 255 tooling operations and more than five hours of glazing and polishing in the final stage.
A five-axis machine is required to create the complex case which measures 52.2mm x 34.4mm x 12.5mm. The case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L steel. The case is water resistant to 50 meters.
Technical specifications provided by Richard Mille appear below the images, which may be enlarged with a click.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: RICHARD MILLE RM 037 WITH IN-HOUSE CALIBER CRMA1
Available in titanium, red gold and white gold.
CALIBER CRMA1: skeletonized automatic movement with hours, minutes, new adjustable rotor geometry, oversize date and function selector.
MAIN FEATURES
POWER RESERVE
Circa 50 hours
BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES
Titanium
Micro-blasted grade 5 titanium with Titalyt treatment gives great rigidity to the baseplate, as well as precise surface flatness which is essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. Bridges are also in grade 5 titanium, microblasted and treated with black PVD.
The skeletonized baseplate and the bridges were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to ensure optimal strength requirements.
NEW ROTOR WITH VARIABLE GEOMETRY
– Heavy external outside edge and heavy edge ring in ARCAP
– Weight segment in heavy metal
– Ceramic ball bearings
– Automatic winding system OneWay with ball bearings
– Bidirectional winding system
This new rotor with variable inertia has been incorporated into the RM 037 caliber as it allows the rotor to be set according to the owner’s activity level. The setting is modified by adjusting the 2 weights which can be slid into the correct position and fixed in place by spline screws. Inertia of the movement is increased when the 2 weights are closer to each other and the barrel then rewinds more quickly. If the weights are positioned to the extremities of the rotor, the inertia is decreased. By consequence, the barrel winds more slowly.
FREE SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
Offers greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during movement assembly and disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable adjustment is possible thanks to 4 adjustable small weights located directly on the balance.
FAST ROTATING BARREL (5 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours)
This type of barrel has the following advantages:
– The phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion is significantly diminished, thereby increasing performance,
– Provision of an excellent mainspring delta curve with an ideal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.
NEWLY DEVELOPED GEAR TEETH PROFILE
The entire going train of the watch, the primary transmitter of power throughout the movement, utilizes a special profile for the wheel teeth. Developed specifically for the RM caliber CRMA1, the wheels use a 20˚ pressure angle. This system equalizes any discrepancies that might arise between the axles of each wheel, for instance during thermal changes and normal use, and promotes an improved transmission of torque to the balance wheel, for excellent chronometric characteristics.
OVERSIZE DATE DISPLAY
Semi-instantaneous, horizontally placed under 12 o’clock, functioning via two skeletonized calendar discs over a white field. The date can be easily corrected via the pusher located at 10 o’clock.
FUNCTION SELECTOR
A push-button located at 4 o’clock allows one to select the winding, neutral and hand setting functions with a simple push in a manner similar to a car’s gearbox. An aperture located at 4 o’clock shows the function selected : W (winding) – N (neutral) – H (hand setting).
NEWLY DESIGNED FLAT HEAD MOVEMENT SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM
Richard Mille has utilized the best of modern micro mechanical engineering in the use of special flat head screws in the caliber CRMA1. These unusual screws with their 6 holed heads are based upon the snake-eye screw concept principally used in the assembly of parts that require extremely exact torque to be applied. For specific movement parts, these screws provide secure fixation that still allows for rotational movement
of the date and function selectors.
SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES, CASE, ROTOR AND BASEPLATE
This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well. Each individual screw represents more than 20 different operations before it is ready for assembly into the movement.
OTHERS CHARACTERISTICS
– Movement dimensions: 28.00 x 22.90 mm
– Thickness: 4.82 mm
– Number of jewels: 25
– Balance: CuBe, 4 arms, 4 setting screws, inertia moment 7.5 mg.cm2, angle of lift 50º
– Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
– Balance spring: AK3
– Shock protection: Incabloc 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
– Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)
CASE
The design and execution of the watch demonstrates a complete conceptual approach to the movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications, rather like the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars where the chassis and the engine are developed in complete harmony. 44 different stamping operations are required for the three main components of the case (bezel, caseband and case back). The machine tooling process requires 2 days of adjustment for the bezel, 2 days for the caseband and 2 days for the case back. The empty case requires more than 255 tooling operations and more than 5 hours of glazing and polishing in the final stage. The complex shape of the case is obtained thanks to a 5 axis machine. On each case, the “Richard Mille” engraving on the back and situated on the inside curve requires 45 minutes.
The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by 2 Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in steel 316L.
PATENTED CROWN CONSTRUCTION
Created from grade 5 titanium, red gold or white gold, with seal O-ring and collar in Alcryn, this newly designed crown allows the integrity of the movement to be fully guaranteed and protected from external influences, since it does not use a classical crown attachment going into the depth of the movement’s heart. The result is that the crown is virtually impossible to dislodge and yet it is easily inserted and removed under the skillful hands of the watchmaker when needed; a typical view towards longevity that typifies the brand’s philosophy.
SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE CASE
This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.
UPPER FLANGE
In carbon fiber; index points filled with approved luminous material.
DIAL
In sapphire (thickness: 0.80 mm) with anti-glare treatment (2 sides), protected by 8 silicon braces inserted in the upper and lower grooves. Laser-engraved numbers
CRYSTAL
Bezel side: in sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (2 sides).
Thickness: 1.30 mm
Case back: in sapphire with anti-glare treatment (2 sides)
Thickness: at the center 0.95 mm and outer edges 1.66 mm
