Communiqué
Dragons have inhabited the human psyche for thousands of years and the dragon remains a uniquely auspicious creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the Celestial dragon embodied a visual representation of the emperor and power, whereas today it is the ultimate symbol signifying success and happiness. A Sung Dynasty manuscript once described the dragon as having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales and the feet of a phoenix. Invariably accompanied by thunder and rain, dragons move like lightning and whirlwinds - all powerful yet totally unpredictable.
People born in the Year of the dragon share innovative, enterprising, self-assured, brave, passionate and quick-tempered characteristics. Dragons are the extroverted free spirits of the Chinese Zodiac and they do not have the patience in restricting their creative spark that is ready to burst into life. So they search for freedom and space. Because they are confident, fearless in the face of challenge, they are almost inevitably successful.
For such an auspicious occasion and animal, the RM 057 Dragon-Jackie Chan embodies all that is worthy of a dragon's attention. On the movement baseplate of pure, deep Black Onyx - considered a stone of protection against negative thoughts and the stone of equilibrium and inspiration - the golden dragon engraving and colored scales grips the tourbillon bridge in one of his claws.
The dragon's five-toed claw is proof of its Imperial status. Adding a refined visible touch, the round, engraved Jackie Chan signature set into the black Onyx baseplate side rotates once every 60 seconds in time with the tourbillon's rotation.
The RM 057 Dragon-Jackie Chan is a limited edition of 36 pieces in 18K red gold or white gold with a red gold dragon.
Jackie Chan
The world renowned Hong Kong actor and director Jackie Chan's martial arts films have revolutionized the genre, establishing him as a true visionary with his adaptions of Kung-fu to the world of international cinema.
Regarded in China as a living god, Jackie Chan is also known as a generous man through his establishment of an entity to support disadvantaged children with the creation of the “Dragon's Heart Foundation” whose goal is to support deprived children in all possible ways.
The long-standing friendship between Richard Mille and Jackie Chan has been a source of many collaborations, the latest being an auction held in September 2011 with the proceeds going to the aforementioned foundation. Specifically for that occasion, Richard Mille created a unique piece, the RMJC tourbillion, that received a great deal of attention and support for the foundation's goals.
The RM 057 Dragon-Jackie Chan is yet another fruit of this friendship. Indeed, Richard Mille has long wanted to create an exceptional timepiece for Jackie Chan himself, inspired by his Chinese name that means “one who will become dragon”.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TOURBILLON RICHARD MILLE RM 057 DRAGON-JACKIE CHAN
Limited edition of 36 pieces in 18K white or red gold.
CALIBER RM057:
manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes and power reserve indicator.
Dimensions: 50 mm x 42.70 mm x 14.55 mm.
MAIN FEATURES
POWER RESERVE:
Circa 48 hours. This function is displayed using a newly designed differential power reserve system indicated by a red line on a moving disc located between 10 and 11 o'clock.
DRAGON ENTWINED IN THE MOVEMENT:
2012 is the Year of the dragon, a mythical creature that has always been a symbol of power and authority. In China, it represented the supreme power of the Emperor, whereas today it is associated with prosperity and happiness.
Entwined around the movement of the RM057 with its total thickness of just 5.5mm, is a dragon created from 18K red or white gold that has been entirely hand-engraved. No fewer than 20 engravers are required to create the dragon pattern and the engraving process takes many hours. A steady hand, skill and dexterity are essential for creating such a work of art.
To produce a perfectly realistic dragon, for special versions, the scales are hand-painted using micro- painting techniques providing a high level of detail.
The whole piece is then fitted within the tourbillon movement with the dragon's body twisting around the bridges, barrel and finally the tourbillon, which is clasped in its claws.
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.
VARIABLE INERTIA, FREE SPRUNG BALANCE:
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. There is no need for an index plate, allowing more precise and frequent adjustment using 4 setting screws.
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.
OTHER FEATURES
- Movement dimensions: 32.80 mm x 29.00 mm
- Thickness: 5.17 mm
- Tourbillon diameter: 12.30 mm
- Balance wheel diameter: 9.12 mm
- Number of jewels: 21
- Balance wheel: Glucydur, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 10 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°
- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
- Balance spring: ELINVAR by NIVAROX
- Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28
- Stones set in the white gold bezel settings
- Barrel arbour in nickel-free Chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S), with the following characteristics: stainless – non-magnetic – tempered
CASE:
The three-part barrel-shaped case is highly curved which means the watch is comfortable to wear but considerable time is required for its production and quality control. The ergonomic and visually distinctive curvature of the case is typical of all Richard Mille timepieces, requiring absolute precision and a total lack of tension in the metal.
These requirements for the case design are based on a year's research and development.
The characteristic tonneau shape of the RM 057 requires no fewer than 47 stamping operations including 21 striking. The machining lasts 4 hours and 255 milling procedures are required to produce the RM 057 case with a further day spent on finishing which entails grinding, satin brushing and polishing.
The tripartite case is water-resistant to 50 meters thanks to two Nitril O-ring seals. It is assembled using 20 grade 5 titanium Spline screws and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
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 and lower flanges in black grade 5 titanium.
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:
- Anglage and polishing by hand (excluding Onyx and PVD treated parts)
- Hand-polished lock-points
- Microblasted milled sections
- Lapped and polished contact points
- Burnished pivots
- PVD coating (except the Onyx plate)
STEEL PARTS:
- Microblasted surfaces
- Satin brushed surfaces
- Hand-polished bevelling
- Drawn sections
WHEELS:
- Concave chamfering with a diamond tool
- Circular-decorated faces
- Surface treatment or rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
- Minimal corrections to preserve the geometry of the wheels and their performance
