Giving existing materials a new impulse by applying them in a new manner, as well as the implementation of new materials to watchmaking, is completely second nature to Richard Mille Watches’ philosophy. In fact, from the brand’s first inception, the tone was set to search for challenges and never look back- only ahead to the next bend in the track.
Just like the shockwave that went though the swiss watch industry when the first haute horlogerie watches appeared in steel cases rather than gold- a half century ago- Richard Mille shocked everyone by creating tourbillons with titanium cases and movements.
However, if that were all, it would never be enough for Richard Mille. This first step was quickly followed by the use of carbon nanofiber for movement baseplates, marking the premier use of this material in watchmaking. Carbon nanofiber is a composite composed of carbon fibers many times thinner than a human hair, which takes on an isotropic structure possessing mechanical, physical and chemical stability when molded under high pressure (750 bars) and temperature (2,000˚ C).
The reason why this material is so suited for use in watchmaking is that it is amorphous, chemically neutral and dimensionally stable within a wide range of temperatures. This might sound deceptively basic, but in actual fact, the different temperature coefficients of all the parts within a watch movement can create disturbances in the going train, therefore possibly affecting chronometric results. If the foundation of the movement is absolutely stable, as carbon nanofiber is, it provides the ideal basis for any kind of complicated horological creation, whether tourbillon or split seconds chronograph.
The combination of titianium and carbon nanofiber have set a high challenge for watchmaking today, and have been proven more useful, more interesting and more beautiful than others might have dared
imagine.
New for 2009, as a celebration of those new impulses started with experiments in 21st century watchmaking as well as the desire to create a new alternative, Richard Mille has created the ALL GRAY series: the RM 002-V2 ALL GRAY, the RM 003-V2 ALL GRAY, the RM 004-V2 ALL GRAY, and the RM 008-V2 ALL GRAY. Each watch in this series has a carbon nanofiber baseplate with a special gray PVD coating combined with a case of microblasted titanium.
This looks awesome! I was considering a <a href="http://www.essential-watches.com/Cvstos-CVCRTNSTGRLE-Cvstos-Challenge-Chrono-Modena-Limited-Edition-Steel-on-Rubber-Strap-20151.aspx" title="Cvstos">Cvstos</a> Challenge as a birthday gift for my father. It almost has the same tonneau shape.
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I've been looking at http://watchluxus.com/new-baume-mercier-riviera-magnum-xxl-model and was checking it out at http://www.essential-watches.com. Are they a good site to deal with?
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They are very reliable. Got this Chanel for my Mom at a great price -- http://www.essential-watches.com/Watch.aspx?ID=24386&ErrorPath=Chanel-H0572-Mademoiselle-Steel-on-Strap-with-Black-Dial-24386&count=0&type=watch
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