In a perfect fusion of elegance and immediate recognition, Richard Mille and Ferrari, propelled by their shared pursuit of perfection, initiated a long-term partnership in 2021. The manifestation of this collaboration takes the form of the exceptional ultra-flat timepiece – the RM UP-01 Ferrari – a mere 1.75 millimetres thick, showcasing a triumph of technical ingenuity and a revolutionary approach to watch mechanics where technicity dictates aesthetics.
FERRARI, A VISUAL SPECTACLE
The partnership between Richard Mille and Ferrari extends beyond the surface, permeating the very materials and execution of the RM UP-01 Ferrari. It encapsulates the competitive spirit essential to the most thrilling adventures. The watch is a nod to Ferrari's values, crafting sporting mechanisms that embody elegance and immediate recognition, defying trends to create novel aesthetic codes. The RM UP-01 Ferrari stands as a testament to the amalgamation of the unparalleled expertise of these two iconic brands, blending ideas, innovations, and shared values.
A DISTINCTIVE OBJECTIVE
In the pursuit of extreme flatness, the challenge was not only to create a watch meeting the stringent validation requirements of other models but also one that seamlessly integrates into the wearer's daily life. Collaborating closely with the Ferrari team, the RM UP-01 is the result of years of labor, numerous prototypes, and over 6,000 hours of development and laboratory testing.
Achieving an ultra-flat design required departing from a traditional movement with superimposed gears and hands. Richard Mille ingeniously opted for a symbiotic relationship between the movement and case, ensuring mutual rigidity. The decision to maintain a traditional architecture, assembling the movement within the case, guarantees total shock resistance in all circumstances.
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE
The baseplate and bridges of the RM UP-01 are meticulously crafted from grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, corrosion-resistant, and remarkably rigid alloy (90% titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium). This aerospace-grade material enhances the gear train's seamless functioning. The skeletonized baseplate underwent rigorous validation tests to meet optimal strength requirements, demonstrating the calibre RMUP-01's resilience to accelerations exceeding 5,000 g's.
ENGINEERING INGENUITY
In the development of the RM UP-01 Ultraflat, engineers from Audemars Piguet Le Locle and Richard Mille collaborated to create a groundbreaking escapement. Featuring a balance wheel in grade 5 titanium, this escapement significantly reduces the calibre's thickness while ensuring the same security as a conventional Swiss anchor escapement. The patented, ultraflat escapement eliminates components adding height in traditional escapements, such as the dart and safety roller, repositioning the banking function directly on the elongated anchor fork. The result is a dart-free anchor with significantly reduced height, showcasing ingenuity in watchmaking.
REVOLUTIONARY FAST-ROTATING BARREL
Embracing innovation, the RM UP-01 Ferrari introduces a fast-rotating barrel, completing a revolution in just 6 hours instead of the conventional 7.5 hours. This groundbreaking feature offers several advantages:
- Substantial reduction in periodic internal mainspring adhesion, enhancing overall performance.
- An exceptional mainspring delta curve, achieving an optimal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.
MOVEMENT SPECIFICATIONS
- Dimensions: 41.45 x 28.85 mm
- Thickness: 1.18 mm
- Jewels: 23
- Balance: Titanium alloy (Gr5), 3 arms, 6 setting weights
- Moment of inertia: 3 mg•cm2, angle of lift: 54°
- Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
- Balance spring: AK 3
- Shock protection: Kif
PRECISION TO THE LAST HUNDREDTHS
The RM UP-01 Ferrari, a marvel at 1.75 millimetres thickness, stands as Richard Mille's testament to pushing the boundaries of ultra-flat watchmaking. This remarkable achievement results from a fresh perspective on watch mechanics and a departure from traditional design standards. Collaborating with Audemars Piguet Le Locle's laboratories, the quest to shave off those last hundredths of a millimeter became an arduous yet rewarding journey.
CASE DESIGN AND EXECUTION
The watch's case reflects a holistic approach, seamlessly integrating the movement and case in perfect harmony. A departure from the norm, it unveils a novel form within the Richard Mille collection, embodying the brand's philosophy of letting technique dictate aesthetics. Crafted with meticulous attention, the case features sleek lines and intricate details, with a monobloc construction for optimal rigidity and water resistance up to 1 atm (10 m).
GRADE 5 TITANIUM IN FOCUS
Machined entirely from grade 5 titanium, the case offers a harmonious blend of lightness and proven resistance. The monobloc construction enhances rigidity, ensuring durability. Due to the RM UP-01's low profile, each component undergoes precision machining at the Richard Mille movement department, meeting stringent tolerances of a single micron. The satin-finished caseback and bezel, adorned with laser-engraved references and the iconic prancing horse, exemplify the meticulous craftsmanship. The assembly, secured by 13 grade 5 titanium spline screws and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel, completes this extraordinary ultra-thin case.
