Simply Abu Dhabi XII

R ichard Mille is fast becoming something of a legend in the watch industry. He is acclaimed in the industry and critics, collectors, specialists and experts all widely agree that he sets the highest limits for watchmaking, both in terms of design, mechanical inventiveness and use of materials. Mille has been steering his eponymous luxury watch brand to ever-greater success for nearly 13 years now. After working for years in senior management roles for otherwatchmanufacturers, including beingPresident of thewatch company andCEOof the jewellery company at Mauboussin, Mille founded his own brand in 2001, forever altering thehorizons of the luxurywatch industry. Richard Mille’s superlative creations kicked open the doors of innovation, and initiated a new direction in using design inspiration and new materials from the worlds of different industries, such as medicine, aeronautics, automotive and more. These unique new inventions also broke through barriers in terms of price points, trailblazing a path for other watch brands to follow, ushering in an era of expansion, innovation and ultimately, the creation of ever more fantastical and breathtaking timepieces. Mille’s first watches, the RM 001 and RM 002, proved beyond a doubt that innovative ideas and technology couldbe integrated simultaneouslywith all thatwas rare, exceptional and traditional in the world of haute horology. Since these original two models, Mille has created an array of staggering timepieces. The RM 021 Tourbillon Aerodyne is one such exceptional watch. The numeric composition of this model number is not just a coincidence, it is a statement. Themodel number reflects those first two landmark models, as well as the number of our present century. It also marks the entrance of the theme of air, space and supersonic speed to the brand’s imagery and inspiration. Cue the the introduction of high tech materials such as Orthorhombic titanium aluminides – a new group of alloys, developed from the main class of titanium aluminides,whichpossess a specific crystallinemolecular structure. Its use within a honeycombed geometrical pattern was originally the subject of research by NASA for application as a core material of supersonic aircraft wings, where resistance to extremely high temperatures and torsion is paramount. The alloy in this honeycombed form has unparalleled stiffness, a low thermal expansion coefficient and exceptional torsion resistance. The actual shape of the baseplate itself as seen from the dial side resembles the trench-like V- shaped profile of a flying wing aircraft where the wing tips are positioned higher than the central body of the aircraft itself. The winding barrel and the tourbillon are both placed in the central depthof this aerodynamic structure, balancingon light and airy bridges with four arms on two sides. The leitmotif for RichardMille is “A racingmachine for the wrist” – but this is more like a spaceship imagined as a wristwatch. TECHNICAL FEATURES: RM 021 Tourbillon Aerodyne Movement: Calibre RM 021: manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, power reserve, torque indicator and function selector. Case: Titanium and 18-karat red or white gold Glass: Sapphire crystal Water-resistance: 50 metres Straps: Alligator 1 0 1 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I