Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

1 3 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I R ichard Mille has always had a fascination with architectural construction, the intricacies of movement, the seemingly inconsequential details of pure design. These elements are present everywhere in natural phenomena if we choose to see them, and for the Richard Mille craftsmen, they are passions that are evident in every timepiece the manufacture creates. With two new tourbillon watches, RM references the incredible movements and shapes of the natural world in the most dazzling of ways. RM 51-02 TOURBILLON DIAMOND TWISTER This new high jewellery tourbillon takes all of its cues from the swirling form of a twisting spiral, a shape expressed in many organic forms around us in the natural environment. To some, the spray of diamonds emanating outwards in 14 rays from the tourbillon escapement at six o’clock may be evocative of the spiralling vortex in the centre of the Milky Way galaxy; others may see an allusion to a whirlwind (the English translation of the French word tourbillon), or perhaps the spirally-formed patterns of organic growth found within certain sea creatures, plants, trees and animals. Keeping with the technical nature of all watches created by the brand, the RM 51-02 has a free-sprung balance and skeletonised bridges in PVD-treated, grade-5 titanium with various hand finishing techniques, such as anglage (or bevelling) and black polish used throughout the movement. An additional security system in the form of a torque-limiting crown prevents any possibility of accidental overwinding that might cause damage to the winding stem or exert extreme pressure on the mainspring barrel. Each spiral ray of the RM 51-02 is perfectly set with a single row of diamonds; the case is set with white diamonds, and black sapphires have been added to accentuate case details. The obaseplate of the manual-winding tourbillon has been created of black Onyx. As a final flourish – and with an eye for detail typical of RichardMille’s fastidious approach – the crown is also set with three rows of diamonds to complete the brilliant richness of this shimmering new timepiece. Like many of nature’s treasures, the chance to own a Richard Mille timepiece is rare and fleeting. The RM 51-02 Diamond Twister and the RM 19-02 Fleur are each limited to a production of only 30 pieces worldwide. RichardMille: exploring thewonders of naturewith two new tourbillon timepieces