The world of aviation has always played an integral and inspirational role for Richard Mille due to the myriad of parallels with his own philosophy of 21st century watchmaking, combining horological tradition with new materials in the realisation of horological masterpiece. So, no wonder why Richard Mille chose to partner with Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) to create RM 50-02 ACJ Tourbillon.
Richard Mille RM 50-02 ACJ Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph
According to Richard Mille and ACJ, the companies spent about two years working on the Richard Mille RM 50-02 ACJ Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph, so it’s not surprising why it is limited to only 30 pieces. Its open-worked design allows for breathtaking views of the intricately constructed technical interior, while a number of parts within the movement have been finished with an aeronautical coating to prevent corrosion.
The case of the RM50-02 ACJ is made in Titanium – Aluminium (TiA), the same alloy used on the Airbus jet turbine blades, which must function safely under the convergence of high temperatures and high fields of pressure, thus requiring a very strong and highly stress resistant material.
In TiA created with second bezel in ATZ white ceramic. This high quality ceramic is based on aluminium oxide powder injected at a pressure of 2,000 bar, which increases rigidity by 20-30% and reduces the material’s porosity to an absolute minimum. ATZ has the reputation of being a particularly scratch-resistant material (1,400 Vickers) and possessing unchangeable color. After diamond, it is one of the hardest materials in the world.
Additional details include Torq set screws and a jet engine-inspired crown.
Richard Mille RM 50-02 ACJ Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph can be yours for a cool $1,050,000.
Richard Mille RM 50-02 ACJ Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph
