Richard Mille Unveils New RM 30-01 With Declutchable Rotor

Luxury watchmaker Richard Mille has announced the release of the RM 30-01 Automatic Winding with Declutchable Rotor, a predecessor to its RM 030, featuring a host of updates and upgrades. This new masterpiece is a testament to the brand’s two-decade journey, combining ergonomic design, pure lines, outstanding finishes, and technological prowess.

The RM 30-01 stands out for its patented declutchable rotor, a significant innovation in the world of horology, as traditional automatic watches use a rotor that winds the watch until it reaches optimal tension — past this point, overwinding can introduce harmful debris into the system. What makes the RM 30-01 special is its ability to automatically disconnect the rotor from the winding barrel once it’s fully wound, preventing overwinding and ensuring the watch mechanism’s longevity. This automatic declutching takes place between 40 and 55 hours of power reserve, with a clutch engagement indicator keeping the user informed of the rotor’s current phase.

Embedded in the heart of this timepiece is the Calibre RMAR2, boasting a skeletonized automatic-winding movement with numerous features, including an oversized date display situated horizontally at 4 o’clock. Additionally, a unique function selector, reminiscent of a car’s gearbox, is located at 2 o’clock, allowing users to effortlessly switch between winding, date setting, and hand setting functions.

As for craftsmanship and materials used, the baseplate and bridges are constructed from a blend of 90 percent grade 5 titanium, 6 percent aluminum and 4 percent vanadium, to ensure the gear train’s smooth operation. It’s worth noting, that this particular alloy is favored in aerospace and automobile manufacturing, thanks to its lightweight and durability.

The RM 30-01’s case embodies technical and design intricacies, drawing inspiration from Formula 1 racing cars, where the chassis and engine harmonize. The movement is delicately mounted on chassis mounting rubbers, affixed with grade 5 titanium screws, with the iconic tonneau-shaped case presented with a blend of satin-finished, microblasted, and polished titanium, weighing just 96 grams.

For those interested in acquiring one of the two examples, the Red Gold case RM 30-01 is set to retail for $253,000 USD with its Titanium counterpart at $208,000 USD, available through inquiry via Richard Mille’s official site and select authorized retailers.

See a detailed look at the crafting process behind the timepiece in the video below.

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