Thread: Richard Mille Tourbillon Split Seconds Competition Chronograph RM 050 Felipe Massa

The flagship RM 008 Tourbillon split seconds model has for some 8 years been a landmark in the world of watchmaking as the first new split seconds chronograph development of the 21st century. Now, the split seconds Competition Chronograph RM 050 Felipe Massa represents a new movement development that takes all the best characteristics of the original RM 008 but with new advancements, bringing it to an unequaled level of performance.

This new caliber launched in the RM 050 is not a simple exercise of merely reviewing the existing RM008 movement. The engineers at Richard Mille began by researching every possible manner to lower the movement weight by 20%, the equivalent of 10 grams, making the total movement weight a mere 9.5 grams.

The baseplate and bridges are created from grade 5 titanium, an alloy composed of 90% titanium, 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. Often used in the aeronautic, aerospace and automobile industries, it offers great resistance to corrosion combined with high rigidity. Its light weight/high strength ratio when used in the baseplate of the RM 050 make it an ideal choice as the foundation for perfect functionality of the going train. Further development of the caliber with its skeletonized baseplate and bridges as well as innovative movement designs meant the creation of more than 400 new parts for the caliber. A fast rotating winding barrel, balance with variable inertia, function indicator, torque indicator and split seconds mechanism with improved performance are only a small selection of what this extraordinary movement has to offer. In parallel to these aspects, the Richard Mille engineers have optimized the movement to the maximum, notably the precision and calculations of the long-term timekeeping aspects. The result is a beast of a watch at the cutting edge of what is possible.

A movement created at this level requires a fitting enclosure, and the case of the watch has also received the full attention of the engineers. It is composed of polymer composite injected with carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are extremely resistant to stress (200 times more than steel) and very light. These nanotubes have the ability to absorb violent shocks significantly higher than that of carbon fibers due to their structure and unique geometry and their higher surface/volume equilibrium.

The new split seconds Competition Chronograph RM 050 Felipe Massa represents the ultimate in split seconds timing for the 21st century and beyond.
Limited edition of 10 pieces in carbon nanotubes.

Caliber RMCC1

manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, split-seconds chronograph and power reserve, torque and function indicators.
Dimensions: 50.00 mm x 42.70 mm x 16.30 mm.
Power reserve
Circa 70 hours (displayed on a numeric scale to the left of the barrel).

Skeletonized titanium baseplate

The baseplate has been finished in grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination further increases its mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries. The baseplate of the calibre RMCC1 has been optimised to achieve an extreme weight/resistance ratio.
The skeletonized baseplate and the bridges have been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimize their resistance capacities.

Chrono competition movement

The RMCC1 movement is inspired by the tourbillon caliber with split-seconds chronograph from the RM 008. Released in 2004, this caliber has established itself as one of the most complex in the world thanks to its tourbillon movement operating a split-seconds chronograph.
The caliber RMCC1 is not just a simple exercise based on the movement of the RM008: Richard Mille’s engineers spent several months reducing the weight of the caliber. This is a delicate operation when you consider that the weight of the caliber RMCC1 has been cut by 20% compared with the RM 008 to bring it under 10 grams. This required the reworking and manufacture of over 400 parts in the movement. At the same time, our engineers have optimized this movement to the maximum, particularly in terms of its time-measuring precision and long-term reliability.

Chronograph (column wheels in titanium)

The modern architecture of this new movement has allowed for a coherent and rational arrangement of each constituent part, avoiding unnecessary complexity and permitting the best possible use of the functions with technical solutions. For example, research was conducted into the geometric design of the column wheels that control the different levers in order to ensure the perfect, long-term, stable and simultaneous functioning of the chronograph mechanism, a feature that is essential for a high performance chronograph.
Operation: the chronograph function is stopped and started via the pusher located on the lower left at 8 o’clock. The hands are reset by pressing another pusher located on the upper left at 10 o’clock.

Split seconds mechanism with improved performance

One of the new characteristics developed for the split seconds Competition Chronograph RM 050 Felipe Massa is the virtually complete elimination of initial jumping in the chronograph seconds hand. Moreover, the development of a new generation of split seconds components meant that energy consumption of this function could be lowered by approximately 50 % through the reduction of friction on the spindle and the chronograph hands jumping when stopping is virtually eliminated. This was achieved by research that focused on the working of the split seconds’ arms.
Operation: By depressing the pusher on the right at 4 o’clock, the user can stop the split seconds hand in order to read an intermediate time while the chronograph is engaged. Pressing the pusher again allows the split seconds hand to rejoin the chronograph, ready for the next measurement.

Torque indicator

Supplies information about the mainspring’s tension, thus permitting the optimalization of the chronometric functioning of the movement. Below 53 dNmm, the spring is considered to be too slack, while above 65 dNmm, the excessive spring tension can adversely affect the mechanism’s operation, or else actually endanger it. (These indications appear on the numerical zone to the right of the barrel).

Function indicator

In a manner similar to a car’s gearbox, the function indicator allows one to see the winding, neutral and hand setting positions as the crown is pulled out. Each position is indicated via a hand at 4 o’clock displaying the following functions: W (Winding) – N (Neutral) – H (Hands).

Balance wheel with variable inertia

This type of balance wheel, which represents the ultimate in innovation, guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during assembly and dismantling of the movement, thus achieving better chronometric results over time. The index is eliminated, thereby allowing a more precise and repeatable adjustment using 4 setting screws.

Fast rotating barrel (6 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours)

This type of barrel provides 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.

Barrel pawl with progressive recoil

This device permits an appreciable winding gain (circa 20 %), especially during the start of winding. It also aids in the even distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.

Winding barrel teeth and third-wheel pinion with central involute profile

The wheel with a central developing profile and a pressure angle of 20° promotes rolling movement more effectively, compensates differences between centers, ensures excellent torque transmission and a distinct improvement in performance.

Modular time setting mechanism fitted against the case back

Provides the following advantages for longevity and maintenance:
Since the component is mounted outside of the movement, the time setting assembly can be changed without affecting the integrity of the baseplate in the event of a possible defect or during maintenance,
The mounting and dismantling of this module from the back will not require the removal of the hands and the dial.

Spline screws in grade 5 titanium for the bridges

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.

Extreme finishing for the movement

Watchmaking expertise can be found throughout the caliber RMCC1, with drawn, polished, satin finished and soft polished surfaces all created by hand. For example, take the complex shape of the tourbillon and barrel bridges in microblasted stainless steel with their visible and non-visible areas that are completely soft polished. Other parts, such as the barrel drum, the minute wheel and the small and large medium wheel are circular grained both above and below then hand-beveled and rhodium plated before the teeth are cut. The various yokes of the caliber RMCC1 are straight-grained, sanded on both sides and soft polished. This range of finishes also provides technical solutions to optimize the Chrono Competition movement. ■

Other features

Movement dimensions: 32.00 mm x 36.70 mm
Thickness: 7.53 mm
Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm
Balance wheel diameter: 10 mm
Number of jewels: 35
Balance wheel: GLUCYDUR, with 2 arms and 4 setting screws
Moment of inertia 10 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Central bridge in aluminium
Balance spring: ELINVAR, by NIVAROX
Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28
Barrel shaft in nickel-free Chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S), with the following characteristics: stainless – non-magnetic – tempered

Case

The case of the RM 050 Felipe Massa is made of an extremely robust composite based on injected carbon nanotubes, a material that perfectly protects the movement and the tourbillon at its center from impacts. Carbon nanotubes are extremely durable (two hundred times stronger than steel) and very light. They are capable of absorbing far stronger impacts than traditional carbon fiber due to their structure with its excellent surface-volume ratio. The case is created by injection molding carbon nanotubes under high pressure into a black polymer.
The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 Spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
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.

Torque limiting crown

This added security system prevents accidental overwinding of the watch, the result of which can cause damage such as breaking the winding stem or putting too much pressure on the barrel spring.
Interior flanges (outer and inner)
In DLC-coated titanium with hour index points filled with an approved luminescent material.
Dial

In sapphire (thickness: 0.40 mm) with anti-glare coating (both sides), protected by 8 silicon clamps inserted in the outer and inner grooves.

Crystal

Bezel side: in sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare coating (on both sides). Thickness: 1.50 mm
Case back: in sapphire with anti-glare coating (on both sides) Thickness: 1.20 mm in the centre and 2.04 mm at the outer edges
Finishing
Movement
Hand-polished bevelling
Hand-polished locking-sections
Microblasted milled sections
Lapped and polished contact points
Burnished pivots
Steel parts
Wire-drawn and microblasted surfaces
Hand-polished bevelling
Wheels
Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
Circular-decorated faces
Gilding (before cutting the teeth)
Minimal corrections to preserve the geometry of the wheels and their performance

Well hell, you can't accuse RM of being cheap with the features

Any word on release date or quantity?

Originally Posted by Forfend

Any word on release date or quantity?

This is all SIHH 2012 models so expect to see it soon. Limited Edition of 10 pieces in carbon nanotubes (pay attention Omega )