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Lot Essay
The RM 022 ‘Aerodyne’ Dual Time Zone in blue quartz TPT is one of the rarest versions of an already rare watch. This model was available in a choice of case colours of either bright red, white, or blue, in an ultra-exclusive limited edition of only 10 pieces in each colour. The edition was only available in Richard Mille boutiques in the Americas.
To the best of our knowledge, this technically and visually majestic timepiece is the first blue RM 022 to be offered at international auction. It provides collectors with a significant opportunity to obtain one of the most exclusive and super-cool of all Richard Mille’s tourbillon wristwatches.
In true Richard Mille style, the RM 022 fuses state-of the-art modern materials with formidable horological complications, a manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, dual time zone indicator, function selector, power-reserve and torque indicators. The torque indicator displays the amount of torsion required in order to ideally wind the chronograph and prevent wear to the mechanism. The ‘WHN’ indicator on the dial shows whether the watch is in ‘Winding’, ‘Hand-setting’ or in ‘Neutral’ mode.
The name ‘Aerodyne’ was coined from the remarkable materials used in the construction of the movement that were developed for the aerospace industry. The RM 022 is equipped with a composite baseplate featuring a titanium exterior framework combined with honeycomb orthorhombic titanium aluminide and carbon nanofibre. In the words of Richard Mille “The use of this alloy in a honeycomb geometrical structure was originally the subject of research by NASA for application as the central core material for the ‘sandwiched’ wings of supersonic aircraft, where resistance to extremely high temperatures and torsion is paramount. Remarkable as it may seem, the preformed honeycomb patterns are actually microscopically laser-welded together to create a complete plate of the material, as casting methods for the honeycomb pattern do not deliver bonds with sufficient stress-resistance. The alloy in this honeycomb form offers unparalleled rigidity, a low thermal expansion coefficient and exceptional torsion-resistance. The actual shape of the baseplate itself as seen from the dial side resembles the trench-like V-shaped profile of a flying wing aircraft, where the wing tips are positioned higher than the central body of the aircraft itself. The winding barrel and tourbillon are both placed in the central depth of this aerodynamic structure, balancing on light and airy bridges with four arms on two sides. The watch represents the extraordinary union of all the aspects that comprise the Richard Mille philosophy of watchmaking – now and in the future.”
The eye-catching blue case is constructed from Quartz TPT® and Titanium for their extreme lightweight qualities, the distinctive layered appearance of the case is derived from this Quartz TPT (Thin Ply Technology), a relatively new and groundbreaking ultra-lightweight material that was developed by Richard Mille for use in watchmaking. Called TPT® (thin ply technology) quartz carbon, it was first used in Richard Mille’s RM27-02. Its strength and incredible lightness is unparalleled and comprised of hundreds of layers of quartz that are interspersed with layers of NTPT carbon. The layers are then fused together at 120 degrees Celsius to form a case that is almost indestructible. Also resistant to extremes of temperature and magnetism, it is near perfect for sports watches.
To the best of our knowledge, this technically and visually majestic timepiece is the first blue RM 022 to be offered at international auction. It provides collectors with a significant opportunity to obtain one of the most exclusive and super-cool of all Richard Mille’s tourbillon wristwatches.
In true Richard Mille style, the RM 022 fuses state-of the-art modern materials with formidable horological complications, a manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, dual time zone indicator, function selector, power-reserve and torque indicators. The torque indicator displays the amount of torsion required in order to ideally wind the chronograph and prevent wear to the mechanism. The ‘WHN’ indicator on the dial shows whether the watch is in ‘Winding’, ‘Hand-setting’ or in ‘Neutral’ mode.
The name ‘Aerodyne’ was coined from the remarkable materials used in the construction of the movement that were developed for the aerospace industry. The RM 022 is equipped with a composite baseplate featuring a titanium exterior framework combined with honeycomb orthorhombic titanium aluminide and carbon nanofibre. In the words of Richard Mille “The use of this alloy in a honeycomb geometrical structure was originally the subject of research by NASA for application as the central core material for the ‘sandwiched’ wings of supersonic aircraft, where resistance to extremely high temperatures and torsion is paramount. Remarkable as it may seem, the preformed honeycomb patterns are actually microscopically laser-welded together to create a complete plate of the material, as casting methods for the honeycomb pattern do not deliver bonds with sufficient stress-resistance. The alloy in this honeycomb form offers unparalleled rigidity, a low thermal expansion coefficient and exceptional torsion-resistance. The actual shape of the baseplate itself as seen from the dial side resembles the trench-like V-shaped profile of a flying wing aircraft, where the wing tips are positioned higher than the central body of the aircraft itself. The winding barrel and tourbillon are both placed in the central depth of this aerodynamic structure, balancing on light and airy bridges with four arms on two sides. The watch represents the extraordinary union of all the aspects that comprise the Richard Mille philosophy of watchmaking – now and in the future.”
The eye-catching blue case is constructed from Quartz TPT® and Titanium for their extreme lightweight qualities, the distinctive layered appearance of the case is derived from this Quartz TPT (Thin Ply Technology), a relatively new and groundbreaking ultra-lightweight material that was developed by Richard Mille for use in watchmaking. Called TPT® (thin ply technology) quartz carbon, it was first used in Richard Mille’s RM27-02. Its strength and incredible lightness is unparalleled and comprised of hundreds of layers of quartz that are interspersed with layers of NTPT carbon. The layers are then fused together at 120 degrees Celsius to form a case that is almost indestructible. Also resistant to extremes of temperature and magnetism, it is near perfect for sports watches.