The RM 032 Automatic Flyback Chronograph Ultimate Edition is a high-performance, luxurious timepiece designed and crafted by Richard Mille, specifically engineered for underwater exploration. This model stands as the final and ultimate edition in the RM 032 collection, available in a limited release of just 80 pieces.
Design and Materials
The Richard Mille RM 032 Automatic Flyback Chronograph Ultimate Edition embraces a robust and technical aesthetic, achieved through a combination of grade 5 titanium and Carbon TPT®. The watch’s substantial case measures 50.00 x 17.80 mm and offers a water resistance of up to 30 atmospheres (300 meters), meeting the demands of complex underwater environments. The fixed bezel is crafted from satin-finished grade 5 titanium with polished bevels, while the rotating bezel, made from microblasted DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) grade 5 titanium, is complemented by half bezels made of Carbon TPT®, all secured with eight-point-star-shaped screws, ensuring stability and functionality.
Movement and Functionality
The Richard Mille RM 032 is driven by the calibre RMAC2, an automatic winding movement equipped with a host of functions:
- Hours, minutes, seconds
- Oversize date and month display: A semi-instantaneous date is placed under 12 o’clock, with a month indicator situated between 4 and 5 o’clock.
- Flyback chronograph: Allowing the chronograph to be reset without stopping, providing efficiency during navigational tasks.
- 12-hour counter: Records elapsed time over 12-hour intervals.
- Running indicator: A Super-LumiNova® disc at 3 o’clock rotates at 2 rpm, offering easy readability of the movement’s operation, day or night.
The movement features a free-sprung Glucydur® balance with 4 setting weights, enhancing reliability during shocks and offering better chronometric results. Additionally, a variable-geometry rotor optimizes winding motion based on the user’s activity, adapting to both leisurely and active lifestyles.
Technical Innovations
The RM 032 showcases several innovative technical features:
- Double-barrel system: This system improves torque stability by reducing pressure and friction, optimizing long-term performance.
- Spline screws in grade 5 titanium: Ensure better control during assembly and maintain integrity over time.
- Locking crown: A patented system that prevents accidental manipulation of the crown and pushers, ensuring perfect water resistance and safeguarding the movement from external pressure or shocks.
Finishing
Attention to detail is evident in the hand-finished movements, featuring wet sandblasted and PVD-treated grade 5 titanium baseplates and bridges, burnished pivots, and beveled wheels. The steel parts exhibit sapphire-blasted surfaces with hand-drawn finishes, and the screws are meticulously beveled and polished.
Dial and Crystal
The dial is crafted from sapphire with anti-glare treatment on both sides, featuring indexes filled with luminous material for superior visibility. The watch’s crystal on the bezel side is made from sapphire, boasting a hardness of 1800 Vickers and a thickness of 3.00 mm, while the case back is also in sapphire, varying in thickness from 1.40 mm at the center to 2.07 mm at the edges.
In summary, the RM 032 Automatic Flyback Chronograph Ultimate Edition exemplifies masterful craftsmanship and technical sophistication, engineered for high-pressure scenarios and extreme durability, while maintaining the elegance and prestige associated with Richard Mille timepieces.
