FLIGHTWORTHY ENGINEERING
With this limited series, the watchmaker established in Les Breuleux once again illustrates its ability to innovate through its shrewd use of high-tech materials offering us powerful one-of-a-kind design.
The word aerodyne means “any aircraft that is heavier than air and derives its lift chiefly from aerodynamic forces”. Most of the above call on powerful motors to swoop across the skies. During the golden age of aviation, many different aircraft boasted radial piston engines. And, it’s this specific architecture which inspired the design of Richard Mille’s brand new RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne. As such, the grade 5 titanium bridges at 6 o’clock, as well as the barrel ones at 12, opt for this one-of-a-kind stylistic scenography.
This timepiece also stands out with a first-time use of HAYNES® 214®. This nickel-chromium-aluminum-iron alloy is mainly used at temperatures at and above 955°C. It boasts corrosion and oxidation resistance higher than any other composite material. Here, we discover it on the main plate in the blue PVD-coated honeycomb-patterned structure which embraces the rounded crucible of the skeletonized main plate. When combined with Carbon TPT®, it boasts a host of qualities: exemplary rigidity, torsion resistance and low expansion coefficient.
The hand-wound movement nestles in a tonneau-shaped Carbon TPT® and 5N red gold case. It animates the hour and minute hands and the mini-hands used as power reserve and torque indicators respectively placed at 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock. The function selector, sitting at 4 o’clock, displays the mode the wearer has chosen via the crown-integrated pusher. It’s worth noting that this edition is limited to just 50 pieces and is worn on a white rubber strap.
Price: CHF750,000 richardmille.com
By Dan Diaconu