Richard Mille Puts Forth the Chic White RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne

The latest interpretation of the iconic calibre, the timepiece is crafted from white Quartz TPT®, Carbon TPT®, and titanium
Richard Mille Puts Forth the Chic White RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne
November 17, 2023
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Richard Mille Puts Forth the Chic White RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne

Limited to 50 pieces, the new RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne in white Quartz TPT®, Carbon TPT®, and titanium presents the latest interpretation of the iconic calibre while highlighting Richard Mille’s steady commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Measuring 42.68 x 50.12 x 14.30 mm, the RM 21-02 case showcases a remarkable level of architectural detailing as it seamlessly combines Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT® with a titanium caseband. The timepiece isn’t just visually captivating, the use of the materials lends it a highly robust character that elevates its resilience. The construction of the case is one of the most sophisticated ever undertaken by Richard Mille.

Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne
The skeletonised dial paired with the striking white hue instantly stands out

The use of unique materials is what sets the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne apart. For inspiration and engineering materials, Richard Mille has always sought out fields far from watchmaking. Case in point: the aeronautics industry that exerts an especially strong influence on the new timepiece. The inspiration is what brought a material with multiple properties to the brand’s Research and Development offices: Carbon TPT®️.

Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne
The power reserve is displayed at 11 o'clock; the torque indicator is positioned between 12 and 1 o' clock

A material used in aeronautics, but also greatly deployed in the automotive industry, Carbon TPT® forms the heart of the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne baseplate. It is combined with a honeycombed structure produced with black PVD-treated HAYNES®️ 214®️ (a nickel-chromium-aluminium-iron alloy), applied in the demanding environment of specialised gas turbine parts, such as honeycomb seals, combustor splash plates, and other static oxidation-limited parts. When put together with the Carbon TPT® core, the honeycombed geometrical pattern of HAYNES® 214® guarantees an extraordinary stiffness and exceptional torsion resistance. Both materials serve as perfect embodiments of the concepts of air and speed.

Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne
The watch is a shining example of the brand's commitment to innovation and precision

Within this aerodynamic structure, composed of both materials, the winding barrel and the tourbillon are positioned centrally. They remain balanced on lightweight bridges crafted from Grade 5 titanium with four arms on either side. The push button located at the centre of the crown allows the wearer to select the winding, neutral and hand-setting functions with a simple push. A hand at 4 o’clock displays the selected function. Using a numeric scale located between 12 and 1 o’clock, the torque indicator provides a visualisation of the mainspring’s internal tension, allowing optimisation of the movement’s timing. The power reserve (approximately 70 hours) is indicated on the numeric scale at 11 o’clock.

Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne
The movement powering the piece is the iconic manual-winding caliber RM21-02

The skeletonised face of the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne effortlessly complements the signature tonneau case; Quartz TPT® is also used for the caseback while the caseband is made of satin-finished Grade 5 titanium with pillars in Carbon TPT®. The water resistance offered is up to 50 metres. Richard Mille has built a reputation rooted in innovation, watchmaking excellence, and use of cutting-edge materials, and this new timepiece ticks all those boxes with its harmonious fusion of precision, lightness, and resilience.

Image credits: Richard Mille

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