Good Vibrations
Packing an incredible 816 components including seven hands, 11 displays and a tourbillon, the RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ is the most complicated watch that Richard Mille has ever produced
Packing 816 components, the RM 6201 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ is the most complicated watch that Richard Mille has ever produced
In the world of watchmaking, there are some companies that like to keep it simple; Richard Mille is most certainly not one of them. Famed for its outrageously complicated timepieces, often boasting the kind of features that would dazzle even the most horologically minded collector, the Swiss manufacturer is never shy when it comes to packing in the complications. It’s little surprise, then, that Richard Mille’s new timepiece, the RM 62-01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ, is another complex work of haute horology to add to the company’s ever growing collection.
The second timepiece to come out of Richard Mille’s collaboration with Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), the RM 62-01 features 816 components, two barrels, seven hands, 11 displays and a tourbillon cage, all rather miraculously worked into a case that has the same volume as an RM 11-03 (42mm x 50mm x 17mm). To put it simply, it is the most complicated watch that Richard Mille has ever produced.
Designed with the very frequent— and extremely affluent—traveller in mind, the RM 62-01 boasts a tourbillon, an oversized date, a GMT hand indicating the time in a second time zone, an indicator for the impressive 70-hour power reserve and a rather clever vibrating alarm—a first for Richard Mille.
The company has never produced watches with alarms before and instead of an audible gong, this vibrating alarm catches the wearer’s attention through the use of a special oscillating weight that spins at 5,400rpm, creating a vibrating effect that can be felt but not heard, perfect for a discreet wake-up call without disturbing the rest of the First Class lounge—how considerate. In a further ingenious twist, the combination of satin-polished titanium and Carbon TPT used on the bezel ensures that the delicate inner workings of the RM 62-01 are protected from potentially damaging vibrations. With such a slew of features, it’s no surprise that the face is on the busy side. Aside from the regular hour and minute indicators, a green hand in the centre displays the UTC indicator for second time zone, while at nine o’clock, below the sapphire dial, the tourbillon shows off its free-sprung balance oscillating at 3Hz. The oversize date, framed by a typically Richard Mille-style red hatched aperture, is positioned at 12 o’clock, and the power reserve indicator can be found at the 11 o’clock position. The vibrating alarm can be set to the nearest minute on a 24-hour basis using the function selector on the jet turbineinspired titanium crown at the three o’clock position, which also offers N (Neutral), W (winding), T (time setting) and U (UTC hand-setting) modes. All the functions relating to the alarm are grouped together on the lower section of the main dial, with on/ off, AM/PM and the alarm’s power reserve indicator visible. Instead of being wound the traditional way using the crown, the alarm is charged up by pressing the pusher at the eight o’clock position 12 times. Following in the footsteps of Richard Mille’s first foray into the ACJ partnership, the RM 50-02 Splitseconds Chronograph ACJ, the RM 62-01 inherits the same distinctive aviation-inspired lines and design cues. But while the 50-02 struck a chord with its jumbo jet-like stark whiteness, the 62-01 takes its cues from the smooth dark wood panelling you’d be likely to find on one of ACJ’S private jets. And much like a private jet, the RM 62-01 is extremely exclusive, with just 30 being made.
Much like a private jet, the RM 62-01 is extremely exclusive, with just 30 being made