Richard Mille watch releases come in two phases. While the brand is an exhibitor at the SIHH, it also regularly takes the opportunity of the Baselworld opening date to announce the launch of a few additional models. 2014 was no exception, with two watches being unveiled, albeit very discreetly. Both feature characteristics that deserve more detailed scrutiny.
Impact
The first is named RM 38-01. A look at its green and white livery gives an immediate hint that this model relates to Bubba Watson, since white has been featured in models made for the golfer and which he wears in competitions. The self-taught left-hander has been treated to a new complication, since the movement of this watch is akin to that of the RM 036 and thus features a complication absolutely unique in its mechanical version. It records the acceleration undergone by the watch. A moving weight at 12 o’clock drives a hand over a scale graduated from 0 to 20 G. The indicator is smaller and more discreet than on the RM 036 and its scale is now yellow and red. The movement itself has also been reworked and is lighter than ever. The baseplate features a new shape and is no longer made from carbon nanofibres, but instead of skeletonised titanium. The tourbillon is suspended between two bridges that are slim but absorb shocks, in keeping with the primary mission of a Bubba Watson watch. The function selector on the RM 036 has been eliminated and the crown now handles winding and time-setting functions. The G-sensor is still reset to zero via a separate pusher at 9 o’clock.
Palette
The green of the bezel is not a coating, since the front bezel and case-back are made in TZP-G, a ceramic class of material that has been deep-dyed. The colour is doubly meaningful: firstly, it’s Bubba Watson’s favourite; and secondly, he has just won his second Masters in April 14 on the legendary Augusta course. This victory earned him the right to don the traditional green winner’s jacket. Although poorly cut and in the colours of the competition sponsor (a brand with a crown logo…), this garment is highly coveted by players around the world and thus led Richard Mille to give it a nod by adding this new shade to its colour palette.
Enrichment
The second model is called the RM 11-02. At first glance, it resembles the other RM 11 models – one of the ‘oldest’ Richard Mille watch lines that has evolved considerably since it was first launched seven years ago. This is one of the most complicated and longest-lasting chronographs on the market, equipped with a flyback function as well as a countdown timer at 9 o’clock. The large date display is part of an annual calendar, a feature discreetly pioneered by Richard Mille. The month is read off between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the distinctive new feature of the RM 11-02 is the addition of a UTC function to indicate the dual time zone.
Stand-out colours
The dual-time display is provided by a long additional central hand with a yellow body and a red-rimmed green arrowhead that helps it stand out among the welter of information appearing on the dial. It sweeps across a 24-hour scale bearing Arabic numerals and showing only the odd hours interspersed with the large white numerals of the main time zone. It is controlled via an independent pusher at 9 o’clock. This set of modifications has resulted in a change of name for the calibre which is now referred to as RMAC2. The RM 11-02 will not be a limited edition, whereas there will only be 50 RM 38-01 watches.
