Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XXI

8 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I R ichardMille, theman and the brand, is going fromstrength to strength. During the prestigious SIHH annual watch fair, Mille was charismatic, welcoming and happy to accommodate the questions and requests from a non-stop line of admirers and watchworldcommentators.TheexcitementaroundtheRMboothisalwayselectric,asMille neverfailstodeliversomethingexciting,uniqueandunexpected.Thisyearthecompanyturned its formidable technical mastery to the art of haute écriture and unveiled an incredible pen, which uses a technical mechanical movement to release the nib of the instrument. Thiswas at the centre ofmuchpraise and attentionbut the real showstopperwas theRM50- 02 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph ACJ. Richard Mille has partnered with Airbus Corporate Jets to create an instant classic… a striking watch that is both unmistakeably RM, and yet a departure in style and form. The signatureRMscrews have changed to evoke those usedinaviationandtheshapeofthedialisinspiredbyanaircraftwindow.Thewheelandtyre crown, aviation instrument readout-style hands and the Airbus ACJ logo are added design elementsthatmarkthisdynamiccollaboration.Thecaseiscraftedoutofatitanium-aluminium alloycalledTiAl–thesamematerialthatisusedinAirbusjetturbinebladesduetoitsabilityto withstand high temperatures and high fields of pressure. SylvainMariat, Head of ACJ’s CreativeDesign Studio, drafted the designs for the RM50-02 Tourbillon Split Seconds Chronograph ACJ and worked in close collaboration with Julien Boillat and Salvador Arbona fromtheRichardMilleResearch&Development office. Over a two-year period the project gradually built up steam and flourished into this exceptional conclusion. Being a man who has the knack of making his dreams become reality, the partnershipwithACJshowedgreatpromisefromthemomentRichardMillevisitedtheAirbus manufacturing facility. According to Mariat, “Richard Mille’s imagination was immediately captured on visiting Airbus. He saw somany parallels between our worlds. Despite the huge difference in scale between the two products, both RM’s watchmakers and Airbus engineers have unrivalled experience and skills, and apply these to craft their respective products with passion and precision.” Richard Mille RM 5 0 - 0 2 To u r b i l l o n S p l i t S e c o n d s Ch r o n o g r a p h AC J