The giant panda enjoys worldwide recognition and has incredible appeal, explained in part by its friendly appearance. The panda traditionally lived in the mountainous regions and plains of mid-west and south-west China. Now a protected species, they can be found in the mountainous regions of the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu in central China.
Embodying innocence and friendship, the giant panda is a charming creature cherished around the world as a symbol of peace. As an emblem for the Chinese nation, it is considered a “national treasure”. It is also the global ambassador for endangered species.
The new RM26-01 Tourbillon caliber is equipped with a baseplate machined from black Onyx, a variety of chalcedony composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2) from the cryptocrystalline quartz group. Onyx varieties featuring rectilinear black and white parallel stripes are part of the agate family, whereas entirely black stones are commonly known as black Onyx.
This gem is said to absorb negative energy and bring great emotional stability to the wearer. Black Onyx is thus considered to protect against negative thoughts and incarnate balance and inspiration. Sculpted in 18K white gold and integrated into the tourbillon, the panda is set entirely with diamonds and black sapphires. It sits in its natural habitat, a bamboo forest, featuring leaves and bark handsculpted from yellow gold and painted by hand. An artistic and imaginative feat, this symbiosis between fine watchmaking and fine jewellery will delight anyone who has been lucky enough to admire a panda in the wild.
The RM 26-01 tourbillon is a limited edition of 30 timepieces in 18K red gold and white gold.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE RICHARD MILLE TOURBILLON RM 26-01 PANDA
Limited edition of 30 pieces, 18K white or red gold gem-set case.
CALIBER RM26-01: manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes and power reserve.
Dimensions: 48 mm x 39.70 mm x 12,60 mm.
MAIN FEATURES
POWER RESERVE
Circa 48 hours (±10%).
This function is displayed using a newly designed differential power reserve system, with a printed red line on a moving disc located between 10 and 11 o’clock.
MOVEMENT IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM SET
The giant Panda is emblematic of China and is considered a “national treasure” by the Chinese people. It is a very seductive animal and represents innocence and friendship. It is also the universal symbol for peace. The white gold Panda at the heart of the RM 026-01 is set with diamonds and black sapphires. The tourbillon movement is an integral part of the Panda which is happily situated in his bamboo forest of yellow gold, the leaves and stems of which are engraved and painted entirely by hand.
Many long hours of delicate and finely detailed work have been applied in the creation of these exceptional pieces.
BLACK ONYX BASEPLATE
Black Onyx is a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz chalcedony composed of silicium dioxide, (SiO2). The rectilinear black and white parallel stripes version is part of the agate types. The fully black type is called black Onyx, and is said to be able to deflect harmful energy down to the earth, while providing stability. For this reason, black Onyx is considered as a charm-stone against spells. Black Onyx also symbolizes equilibrium and inspiration.
BRIDGES MADE OF TITANIUM
These components in grade 5 titanium with black PVD treatment. This provides the whole assembly great rigidity, as well as precise surface flatness which is essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train.
FREE SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
The free-sprung balance provides better reliability in the event of shocks, movement assembly and disassembly. It also guarantees better chronometric results over an extended period of time.
BARREL PAWL WITH PROGRESSIVE RECOIL
This device permits a profitable winding gain (circa 20 %), especially during the winding start. It is also helpful in the distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.
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.
OTHER FEATURES
- Movement dimensions: 30.20 mm x 28.60 mm
- Thickness: 4.97 mm
- Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm
- Balance wheel diameter: 9.12 mm
- Number of jewels: 21
- Balance: Glucydur, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, inertia moment 10 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53º
- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
- Balance spring: ELINVAR by Nivarox®
- Shock protection: KIF Elastor KE 160 B28
- Stone setting in white gold
- Barrel shaft in nickel-free Chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S) with the following characteristics: stainless- antimagneticsuitable for tempering
CASE
In the world of horology, the case of Richard Mille watches is currently considered as the most difficult to manufacture. This tripartite tonneau-shaped case is fully curved, which enables the watch to be ergonomic and comfortable but is time consuming during its production and requires a high level of quality control. These front and back curves are part of the Richard Mille watch case regardless of their shapes (tonneau, round, rectangular). They demand ultimate precision and no stress in the metal.
The bezel side and the case back have to be perfectly assembled in the case middle with no constraints, to prevent the sapphires from any damage. These manufacturing specifications required one year of research and development.
The specific tonneau shape of the RM 26-01 requires 47 stamping operations including 21 for the forming.
Tooling takes 4 hours and the RM 26-01 is obtained after 255 milling operations.
The finishing process requires a full day for grinding, glazing and polishing.
The tripartite case is water resistant to 50 meters, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 12 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 additional security system prevents from accidental overwinding, which could cause damage to the winding stem or putting extreme pressure on the mainspring barrel.
INTERIOR FLANGES
Upper flange in black carbon fiber, with the hours index set with diamonds.
Lower flange in black carbon fiber, with the minutes index in white color.
CRYSTAL
Bezel side: In sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.20 mm
Case back: In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: at the center 1 mm and outer edges 1.73 mm
FINISHING
MOVEMENT
- Anglage and polishing by hand (excluding Onyx and black treated parts)
- Locking sections hand polished
- Sapphire blasted milled sections
- Lapped and polished contact points
- PVD treatment (excluding Onyx)
STEEL PARTS
- Sapphire blasted surfaces
- Satin finished surfaces
- Anglage and polishing by hand
- Burnished sections
GEAR WHEELS
- Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
- Circular finished faces
- Surface treatment or rhodium-plating (before cutting the teeth)
- Minimum correction applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance
