Press release
The world of automobiles is a constant source of inspiration for Richard Mille, who applies the same creative and R&D processes to the design of his timepieces to create extreme solutions that are impressively efficient, high-performance and innovative.
The brand is personally involved in motorsport too: its well-known sporting partners include Felipe Massa and Jules Bianchi. Richard Mille is also the official timekeeper for a range of internationally renowned events such as the Le Mans Classic and the Grand Prix de Pau Historique.
However, there was one aspect of automobile that Richard Mille had not yet explored, despite being interested in it for many years: road safety. He therefore decided to offer his support to a long-time friend, Jean Todt, and to the global organisation “FIA Action For Road Safety” by developing a watch capable of offering a tangible solution to road safety problems. Richard Mille's and Jean Todt's teams worked together closely to develop a mechanism capable of interpreting the physical constraints felt by the body during rapid decelerations to make drivers aware of the dangers linked to the road. This is how the creation of the Tourbillon G-Sensor RM 036 Jean Todt came about.
The RM 036 features a tonneau shape, a recurrent visual theme of the brand. The curved, ergonomic case specifically requested by Jean Todt for this exceptional timepiece houses the RM036 caliber, a tourbillon movement made entirely of grade-5 titanium and ARCAP, with a carbon-nanofiber baseplate. This combination of materials provides the movement with optimal resistance and flatness, and draws a sublime contrast with the finishing, which include polishing, shot-blasting and satin-brushing. The manually wound mechanical caliber features hours, minutes and seconds combined with a brand-new complication: a mechanical G-sensor.
The G-sensor system was developed and patented by Renaud Papi exclusively for Richard Mille, and translates the movement of a small internal mechanism to an indicator, thereby enabling the wearer to visualise the forces. Assembled directly on the baseplate, this complex mechanism was designed to visually display the number of G's accumulated by the wearer during rapid decelerations. Composed of over 50 parts and measuring a mere 17mm, the RM 036's G-sensor can withstand decelerations of several tens of G's. Needless to say, the movement is also characterised by its unequivocal robustness. Another unique feature of the RM 036 is the scale located at 12 o'clock, whose needle indicates whether the deceleration is safe (green zone) or critical (red zone) for the driver. A push-piece at 9 o'clock quickly resets it to zero.
The RM 036 will be officially presented on 7th December at the FIA awards ceremony in Istanbul. Jean Todt will donate the profits from the sale of this exceptional timepiece to two key initiatives close to his heart: the global campaign for road safety as well as the ICM Brain and Spine Institute, which he cofounded. The Tourbillon G-Sensor RM 036 Jean Todt watch is being released in a limited edition of 15 titanium timepieces.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TOURBILLON G-SENSOR RM 036
JEAN TODT LIMITED EDITION
Limited edition of 15 pieces in titanium.
CALIBER RM036: manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o'clock, G sensor and
function selector.
Dimensions: 50.00 x 42.70 x 16.15 mm.
MAIN FEATURES
POWER RESERVE
Circa 70 hours (±10%).
SKELETONIZED CARBON NANOFIBER BASEPLATE
This is an isotropic composite material created from carbon nanofibers with high mechanical, physical and chemical stability in all directions. The ribbed perimeter of the movement plate assures the highest rigidity between the baseplate and bridges. Carbon nanofiber composite structures such as this are amorphous, chemically neutral and dimensionally constant within a very wide range of operating temperatures, including those outside of normal ranges.
This stability assures the highest integrity of the movement's going train under all conditions.
The skeletonized baseplate and the bridges have been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimize their resistance capacities
BRIDGES MADE OF GRADE 5 TITANIUM
The baseplate has been finished in grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly.
The alloy is 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination further increases its mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries.
G INDICATOR
This complex mechanism was designed to visually display the number of Gs accumulated by the watch's wearer during rapid decelerations The scale located at 12 o'clock, whose needle indicates whether the deceleration is safe (green zone) or critical (red zone) for the driver. A push-piece at 9 o'clock quickly resets it to zero.
FUNCTION SELECTOR
In a manner similar to a car's gearbox, a push-button located at the center of the crown allows one to select the winding, neutral and hand setting functions with a simple push. A hand at 4 o'clock displays the selected function: W (Winding) – N (Neutral) – H (Hands).
FREE SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIA
It guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during movement assembly and disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable adjustment is possible thanks to 4 small adjustable weights located directly on the balance.
FAST ROTATING BARREL (6 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours)
This type of barrel has the following advantages:
- The phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion is significantly diminished, thereby increasing performance,
- Provision of an excellent mainspring delta curve with an ideal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.
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.
MODULAR TIME SETTING MECHANISM FITTED AGAINST THE CASE BACK
Provides the following advantages for longevity and maintenance:
- Since the component is mounted outside of the movement, the time setting assembly can be changed without affecting the integrity of the bottom plate in the event of a possible defect or during maintenance,
- The mounting and dismantling of this module from the back will not require the removal of the hands and the dial.
WHEEL BASED TIME SETTING SYSTEM (back of the movement)
Provides smooth time setting functions through the elimination of engaging friction by replacing it with rolling friction.
CERAMIC ENDSTONE FOR THE TOURBILLON CAGE
This reflects a technical and long-term view towards the elimination of wear phenomena, resulting in improved technical tribology.
CENTRAL BRIDGE IN RIGIDIFIED ARCAP
Ensures high rigidity of the baseplate and the bridge assembly of the going train.
WINDING BARREL TEETH AND THIRD-WHEEL PINION WITH CENTRAL INVOLUTE PROFILE
The central involute profile of the winding barrel teeth and pinion provides an optimal pressure angle of 20°. This promotes effective rotary motion and allows for compensation of possible variations in the engagement of the going train, thus insuring excellent torque transmission with a distinct improvement in performance.
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.
