During the recent Oscars, Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh who won Best Actress was pictured with a custom sapphire Richard Mille RM 07-02. It’s no surprise to see that Michelle chose the gorgeous timepiece as she is a brand ambassador for Richard Mille. The watch isn’t currently part of the Richard Mille catalogue but the estimated retail price is around RM4.7 million.
The RM 07-02 Automatic Sapphire expresses feminity through its elegant tonneau shape, sculpted in coloured sapphire, which is sublimated by a movement in 18k white gold and set with hundreds of diamonds. The watch dial, whether in mother-of-pearl, jasper or pave-set stones, exhibits a refined classicism that feels resolutely contemporary.
The transparent sapphire case is crafted from sections of coloured sapphire taken from a single block, this case is extremely difficult to machine. There is no room for even a single cutting error. The case requires almost forty days of machining and finishing to meet the uncompromising specifications laid out by Richard Mille. Numerous tests then follow to verify that the brand’s resistance and comfort requirements have been met.
The brand expresses its new approach to diamonds through coloured sapphire. Setting each element is a real engineering feat requiring a laser operating to the nearest micrometre.
The baseplate and the bridges are machined from 18K white gold, which is micro-blasted and bevelled by hand. The baseplate is decorated and set with hundreds of diamonds, an aesthetic feat achieved thanks to the long and delicate work of the gem setter.
The rotor allows for being set according to the owner’s activity level. The setting is modified by adjusting two weights that can be adjusted and fixed in place by spline screws. The inertia of the movement is increased when the two weights are closer to each other; the barrel then rewinds more quickly. If the weights are positioned at the extremities of the rotor, the inertia is decreased and the barrel winds more slowly.
Richard Mille RM 07-02 Automatic in sapphire
- Skeletonised automatic-winding in-house movement
- Hours, minutes and variable-geometry rotor
- Baseplate, bridges and variable geometry rotor in gem-set 5N red gold
- Power reserve: around 50 hours (± 10%)
- Dimensions: 32.90 x 46.75 x 14.35 mm
- Movement dimensions: 29.90 x 22.00 mm
- Thickness: 5.05 mm
- Number of jewels: 25
- Balance: CuBe, 4 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 7.5 mg•cm 2, angle of lift 50°
- Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Balance spring: AK3
- Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
- Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)
Source here
