In honour of the four-time Formula One World Champion Alain Prost, Richard Mille unveiled a new 30-piece limited edition tourbillon that just maybe the craziest watch design ever. The RM 70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost watch is the result of a collaboration between Prost and Mille, who worked to develop a mechanical watch designed specifically for cycling.
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There is always, in the creation of a timepiece, a balancing act to be performed between total volume and the physical requirements of the movement with its specific features, in addition to the user’s comfort and pleasure.
This was at the heart of the original tonneau shape developed by Richard Mille at the brand’s beginning. There is always, in the creation of a timepiece, a balancing act to be performed between total volume and the physical requirements of the movement with its specific features, in addition to the user’s comfort and pleasure. This was at the heart of the original tonneau shape developed by Richard Mille at the brand’s beginning.
The intersection of Haute Horlogerie and cyclosports, two disciplines in the midst of remarkable developments, could not but lead to thoughtful reflection, followed by an especially inspired watch.
The result is that regardless of whether a particular RM model is slim or massive, its shape ensures optimal comfort, never interfering with the owner’s physical movements. In the highly unusual construction of the RM 053 Polo Tourbillon, for instance, this principle was taken a step further by increasing by adding a double-hooded profile over the dial area.
This armour-plating made it possible to incline the mechanism by 30° and to incorporate a special damping system that protects the movement from the severe experience inflicted by Pablo Mac Donough during his polo matches. When it comes to running, every detail is important to Blake, and he never relaxes in his efforts to find ways to shave off even a millisecond from his timing.
This is why the watch we designed for him was the first to be totally asymmetric; tapered in thickness and widening between 2 and 5 o’clock, it prevents the dynamometric crown from rubbing against the sprinter’s wrist as he waits, wrists bent, in the starting blocks.
Form and function are approached in yet another manner with the RM 70-01. Because of the downward wrist position cyclists use when going at out, extra attention to comfort and ease of movement during use was focused on the case and strap. Never has form so perfectly espoused function than in this complex case combining tonneau, rectangular and asymmetrical lines.
In typical Richard Mille style, the case is made of Carbon TPT(R) and the watch is sold with a bespoke road cycle that is developed by Prost and Mille along with Italian bicycle maker, Colnago. Each bike will be hand-painted in Richard Mille colours…
Price from: 815,000.00
Available from: Richard Mille
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