Richard Mille Puts Forth the Chic White RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne

Limited to 50 pieces, the new RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne in white Quartz TPT®, Carbon TPT®, and titanium presents the latest interpretation of the iconic calibre while highlighting Richard Mille’s steady commitment to pushing creative boundaries. Measuring 42.68 x 50.12 x 14.30 mm, the RM 21-02 case showcases a remarkable level of architectural detailing as it seamlessly combines Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT® with a titanium caseband. The timepiece isn’t just visually captivating, the use of the materials lends it a highly robust character that elevates its resilience. The construction of the case is one of the most sophisticated ever undertaken by Richard Mille.

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The use of unique materials is what sets the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne apart. For inspiration and engineering materials, Richard Mille has always sought out fields far from watchmaking. Case in point: the aeronautics industry that exerts an especially strong influence on the new timepiece. The inspiration is what brought a material with multiple properties to the brand’s Research and Development offices: Carbon TPT®️.

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A material used in aeronautics, but also greatly deployed in the automotive industry, Carbon TPT® forms the heart of the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne baseplate. It is combined with a honeycombed structure produced with black PVD-treated HAYNES®️ 214®️ (a nickel-chromium-aluminium-iron alloy), applied in the demanding environment of specialised gas turbine parts, such as honeycomb seals, combustor splash plates, and other static oxidation-limited parts. When put together with the Carbon TPT® core, the honeycombed geometrical pattern of HAYNES® 214® guarantees an extraordinary stiffness and exceptional torsion resistance. Both materials serve as perfect embodiments of the concepts of air and speed.

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Within this aerodynamic structure, composed of both materials, the winding barrel and the tourbillon are positioned centrally. They remain balanced on lightweight bridges crafted from Grade 5 titanium with four arms on either side. The push button located at the centre of the crown allows the wearer to select the winding, neutral and hand-setting functions with a simple push. A hand at 4 o’clock displays the selected function. Using a numeric scale located between 12 and 1 o’clock, the torque indicator provides a visualisation of the mainspring’s internal tension, allowing optimisation of the movement’s timing. The power reserve (approximately 70 hours) is indicated on the numeric scale at 11 o’clock.

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The skeletonised face of the RM 21-02 Tourbillon Aerodyne effortlessly complements the signature tonneau case; Quartz TPT® is also used for the caseback while the caseband is made of satin-finished Grade 5 titanium with pillars in Carbon TPT®. The water resistance offered is up to 50 metres. Richard Mille has built a reputation rooted in innovation, watchmaking excellence, and use of cutting-edge materials, and this new timepiece ticks all those boxes with its harmonious fusion of precision, lightness, and resilience.