Press release
At the start of 2009, Richard Mille released the RM 025 Diver's Watch, an extremely high-tech tourbillon chronograph with a carbon nanofiber baseplate and water resistant to 300 meters.
But the impressive list of attributes grew even longer when the model was given a new strap, made of perfluoroelastomer Kalrez*. This material is ideal for environments such as pharmaceutical industry, aerospace and aeraunautics environments requiring a superior degree of purity. Kalrez effectively reduces absorption, desorption and products of extraction, ensuring minimal contamination.
In fact, the perfluoroelastomer Kalrez strap provides almost total chemical resistance, maintaining its properties at temperatures up to 327°C.
Likewise, the strap 's composition allows for optimal watertight protection, synonymous with longevity, as well as negligible residual deformation, which gives Kalrez pieces their resistance to the extreme pressures imposed by deep-sea conditions. But the strap of the RM 025 is just as resilient to the pressures of daily life, unlike traditional rubber straps which are notoriously weakened by heat, UV light, chemical agents such as cleaning products and bleach, even pollution.
The strap is manufactured by Biwi SA, a Swiss firm specialising in the moulding of high-precision vulcanised elastomers like rubber and silicone, as well as technical plastics used in the manufacture of watchmaking components and medical parts.
Use of Kalrez® material for this strap is the result of an exclusive association between the makers of Kalrez, DuPont Performance Elastomers, and Biwi SA.
The RM 025 Diver's Watch also comes with a rotating bezel and micro-injection moulded pushers, made from a patented Vulcamix® process of injection and finishing which results in an exceptionally crafted, pleasing-to-the-touch mechanism. The patent for this technique was registered by Biwi SA in Glovelier.
Founded in the 1980's, BIWI SA currently has 200 employees. Biwi SA specialises in the transformation of polymer materials for the manufacturing of plastic parts, rubber and silicone. Its activities have diversified over the years, and the company now extends its processes to the personalisation of identity and bank cards.
*Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer parts is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers and is used under license by BIWI S.A., manufacturer and distributor of this item.
