Richard Mille teams with Airbus Corporate Jets for a second time for a watch to accompany the modern traveller

If the RM 62- 01 Tourbillon Vibrating Alarm ACJ seems to ring a bell, you’re not wrong – it’s Richard Mille’s second time collaborating with Airbus Corporate Jets ( ACJ), creator of some of the most exclusive, bespoke private aircraft. The titanium and TPT case of the RM 62- 01 measures at 42.00 x 49.94 x 16.90mm, in order to accommodate 816 components, a tourbillon cage, two barrels, seven hands and 11 displays. The shape of the bezel and sapphire glass mirrors the curve of a cabin window, with the finishing of the Titanium and TPT mirroring the jets’ luxurious interiors and threedimensional qualities of the wood panelling designed by Sylvain Mariat, head of ACJ Creative Design.

It is, however, the alarm function that’s the star of the show here, notifying the wearer by way of vibrations, sure to be a welcome feature to any fellow fliers or colleagues – think of it as the horological equivalent of silent mode on your phone. The RM 62- 01 looks past the audible gong and hammer solution and employs a silent oscillating weight made from a single piece of white gold that spins at 5,400rpm and, thanks to a dedicated barrel, gives off these 12- second- long vibrations.

As you can imagine, a lengthy amount of research and development was involved – no less than five years to be precise – at Audemars Piguet Renaud and Papi. The alarm can be recharged via a pusher at 8 o’clock, and pressed 12 times. A pusher between 2 and 3 o’clock allows for foolproof date adjustments and the dial offers up an oversize date display, function selector and am/ pm indicator.

Selecting Monte- Carlo for its launch can’t have been an accident, with the Mediterranean tax haven offering residence to some of the wealthiest and most frequent travellers in the world – and the nearby Nice- Côte d’azur airport seeing more than its fair share of private jets.