EXTRA SKINNY

RICHARD MILLE RM 033 AUTOMATIC EXTRA FLAT

An ultra-thin watch is considered an engineering feat since the constraints of space mean it’s extremely difficult to produce. The Extra Flat Automatic RM 033 again proves Richard Mille’s supremacy in complicated watchmaking by packing beauty, strength and nuance into a slender timepiece. The watch features a tripartite curved case, which is a mere 6.3mm high and contains a self-winding movement only 2.6mm thick. The latter is mostly made of grade 5 titanium, with all parts subjected to separate tests that ensure optimal strength. Many details form the signature of this simple and elegant watch, such as the free sprung balance with variable inertia, a 42hour power reserve, the extensive use of spline screws throughout the movement, the rigorous design and execution of the case, and the ceramic crown with double seal O-rings. However, what makes the RM 033 stand out is the calculated design influence on every functional element — from the sapphire crystal case back to the skeletonised base plate and mono-bloc micro rotor. It’s available in in titanium, red gold and white gold.