Quick specs Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne
Price: € 827.300 | approx. CHF 834’000 | $ 928,000 | approx. £ 749,000
Size: 42.68 x 50.12 mm
Reference: RM 21-02 – limited to 50 pieces
The Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne is the newest manual-winding tourbillon from the high-end Swiss brand. It is a design inspired by a combination of aerospace, aeronautics and automotives through the use of engineering materials. Like all RM’s it is strong, accurate yet light, and it is limited of course. For this model it is 50 pieces only.
From the case to the dial, this RM 21-02 is executed in multiple materials such as quartz TPT, carbon TPT and titanium. Err, what is TPT? TPT in combination with watches stands for Thin Ply Technology. It is a method of layering and blending different materials on top of each other to create extra strength and special effects on the surface. Richard Mille uses it for some of their cases, and here with quartz and titanium.
Despite the delicate materials the RM 21-02 is still water resistant
The case measures 42.68 x 50.12 millimeters, with a thickness of 14.30 millimeters. And the bezel is crafted in carbon TPT with quartz TPT. The quartz part is transparent, so it is also used for the case back. The case band is made of satin-finished grade 5 titanium with pillars in Carbon TPT. The case is secured with two Nitrile O-ring seals, built with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium. And abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel which creates a water resistant of 50 meters / 165 feet for the watch.
The design is based on a so called honeycombed geometrical pattern to give the watch unparalleled stiffness. It also has a low thermal expansion coefficient with an exceptional torsion resistance. The base plate is made of Haynes 214, another exotic but extremely strong material. Which is an alloy mixed of nickel, chromium, aluminium and iron that can withstand temperatures of 955 degrees Celcius. So, yes, the Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne can survive in extreme circumstances.
The Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne has a power reserve of 70 hours
Through its skeletonized dial and transparent case back you can admire the hand-wound Richard Mille caliber RM21-02. It is equipped with a central winding barrel and a tourbillon with lightweight titanium bridges on top. The crown has three functions: winding, setting the watch and a neutral position. At 4 o’clock you can see the function selector indicator which can be switched by the pusher the button on the crown.
Furthermore, the Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne features a power reserve indicator at 11 o’clock, and a torque indicator at 1 o’clock. It beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph ad delivers a power reserve of 70 hours.
| Technical data Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne |
| Reference: RM 21-02 – limited to 50 pieces |
| Movement: Richard Mille caliber RM21-02 | Hand-wound | Diameter: 30.20 x 29.20 mm | Thickness: 7.14 mm | Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz) | Parts: 24 | Jewels: 27 | Hours, minutes, function selector, power reserve indicator, torque indicator, tourbillon | Power reserve: 70 hours |
| Case and dial: 42.68 x 50.12 mm | Quartz TPT, carbon TPT, titanium | Thickness: 14.30 mm | Sapphire crystal | Skeletonized dial | Quartz TPT sapphire case back | Water resistance: 5 ATM / 5 bar / 50 meters / 165 feet |
| Strap: White and black rubber strap |
| Price Richard Mille RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne: € 827.300 | approx. CHF 834’000 | $ 928,000 | approx. £ 749,000 |
| Website: www.richardmille.com |