Richard Mille

Tourbillon

Reference Number :

RM 019

Series : RM 19

Retail Not Listed

This watch is not for sale, this page is just for reference purposes only. If you would like to purchase this watch, please contact Richard Mille. If you are interested in selling this watch to us, you can contact us here.

Quick TakeThe Richard Mille RM 019 Tourbillon is a mechanical marvel that melds the ethereal beauty of black onyx with the intricate mechanics of a tourbillon movement. Imagine a watch where the movement itself is a Celtic knot, its intricate loops and curves crafted from gleaming metal against a backdrop of inky black stone. The watch seems to defy physics, its form as light and airy as the Celtic symbols that inspired it, yet its construction is undeniably complex and substantial. This is a timepiece for the woman who appreciates both the delicate and the powerful, a watch that is as captivating as it is functional.

DescriptionThe Richard Mille RM 019 Tourbillon eschews the traditional materials of watchmaking, opting for a baseplate crafted from a flawless piece of black onyx. This singular design choice presents a number of technical challenges. Firstly, sourcing suitably large pieces of onyx without flaws or imperfections is a difficult task, as natural onyx often contains inclusions or weaknesses. Secondly, machining black onyx requires a specialized skillset and tooling, with tolerances as precise as those required for working with metals. The onyx must be able to withstand the stresses of assembly without fracturing, and its thermal properties must be precisely accounted for during the watchmaking process.

The RM 019 utilizes a manual winding tourbillon movement, the RM019 caliber. A tourbillon is a complex watch complication that counteracts the effects of gravity on a watch's timekeeping. By mounting the watch's escapement (the part of the watch that regulates its rate of ticking) within a rotating cage, the tourbillon ensures that the escapement experiences gravity in all directions equally over time. This helps to negate the positional errors that can afflict traditional mechanical watches. The RM019 caliber is visible through the watch's face, its bridges and gears intricately fashioned from gleaming metal. These metallic elements are designed to evoke the flowing forms of Celtic knotwork, their three-dimensional curves echoing the ancient symbol that is the watch's motif. The Celtic theme is further extended on the movement's reverse side, where a miniature triskelion (a three-pointed star) rotates in concert with the tourbillon cage.

The Richard Mille RM 019 is a testament to the innovative spirit of Richard Mille watchmakers and their ability to bridge the gap between cutting-edge technology and timeless design. While the technical specifications of the watch are not readily available, it is likely water resistant to at least 30 meters, the minimum standard for a luxury timepiece.

GenderWomen

SignaturesRichard Mille

Country of OriginSwitzerland

Case Size45 mm

MovementHandwound

CaliberRM019

FunctionsHours, Minutes, Tourbillon, Power Reserve

Power Reserve48 Hours

Case MaterialsWhite Gold

Bezel MaterialsWhite Gold

Lug MaterialsWhite Gold

Case BackSapphire Crystal