Richard Mille RM 039 Aviation E6-B Flyback Tourbillon

Richard Mille TOURBILLON RM 039 AVIATION E6-B FLYBACK

Aviation and aeronautics have always been sources of inspiration for Richard Mille. As such, materials including titanium, carbon nanofiber, honeycombed orthorhombic titanium aluminide, ARCAP or even tungsten carbide have all found applications in the collection, stepping out of the aeronautical world and into the realms of watchmaking for the first time. The mechanical and aesthetic properties of these materials are now recognized in Haute Horlogerie in just the same way as precious metals. To explore these themes in greater depth, Richard Mille has created a caliber designed for flight navigation. This complete and technically sophisticated instrument is an ultra-modern interpretation of an essential device used by every established pilot. It also reproduces the materials and visual codes used in the aviation industry.

 

The RM 039 AVIATION E6-B displays much of the same information provided by the famous E6-B flight computer, which was invented in the United States by Naval Lieutenant Philip Dalton during the 1930s. This round slide rule, incorporated into the bidirectional rotating bezel, can be used to read off and calculate fuel burn, flight times, ground speed, density altitude or wind correction, as well as the fast conversion of units of measurement (Naut/KM/Gallons/Liters/Feet/KG/LBS). The RM 039 tourbillon caliber is also equipped with a UTC hand, a countdown mode, an oversize date at 12 o'clock and a function selector. The tourbillon movement drives a flyback chronograph featuring an exclusive design. This complication provides pilots with a fast, practical device for measuring a series of successive elapsed times when navigating through different marker points. The flyback chronograph function combined with the E6-B flight computer brings the possibility of real time measurement to its functionality and applications.

 

By uniting all these functions in the RM 039, Richard Mille has extended the applications of the E6-B slide rule and turned it into an instrument that is even better suited to a pilot's needs. When preparing for a flight, the E6-B slide rule remains the most accurate device for determining the necessary fuel reserve and density altitude (essential for take-off and landing). The fact that the E6-B flight computer needs no power source also makes it an extremely safe flight instrument for pilots, even today.

 

This new Richard Mille caliber respects all the codes and requirements of Haute Horlogerie, notably in the close attention devoted to every detail of the movement and case, both of which are remarkable for their exceptional finishing and complexity.

The design of this tourbillon flyback chronograph required many years of research and development. This unique complication is the first of its kind at Richard Mille and the first of its kind in the world.

This includes some 740 parts, 58 jewels and a power reserve of circa 70 hours displayed at 2 o'clock. It also incorporates the new patented crown mechanism presented on the RM 037, which protects the movement from shocks and poor manipulation.

 

This extremely complex, highly technical caliber is the perfect instrument for dealing with the challenges that pilots face during flights. The RM 039 AVIATION E6-B tourbillon represents the ultimate blend of watchmaking and aeronautics.

 

The RM 039 AVIATION E6-B is available in a limited edition of 30 titanium timepieces with titanium lugs.

 

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE TOURBILLON FLYBACK

CHRONOGRAPH RM 039 AVIATION E6-B

 

Limited edition of 30 pieces

 

CALIBER RM039: manual winding tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, seconds at 6 o'clock, UTC function, oversize date, flyback chronograph with central seconds and minutes counter and hours at 9 o'clock, countdown mode, function selector and power reserve indicator.

 

Diameter: 50.00 mm x 19.40 mm.

 

 

MAIN FEATURES

 

POWER RESERVE

Circa 70 hours (displayed on a numerical scale at 2 o'clock).

 

BASEPLATE AND BRIDGES IN TITANIUM

The baseplate has been finished in grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The alloy is 90% titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination further increases its mechanical properties, which explains its frequent use in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries.

The skeletonized baseplate and the bridges have been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests to optimize their resistance capacities.

 

FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH

The architecture of this movement has enabled a coherent and rational arrangement of components. It avoids superfluous superimpositions and features technical solutions that optimize its functions. For example, the geometry of the column wheel has been designed to ensure perfect synchronization of the control of the different levers, even over the long term. This synchronization is essential for creating a faultless timing instrument. This new design has been implemented to conserve regulation and ensure perfect long-term operation.

Operation : the user can start or stop the chronograph by means of a pusher located at 10 o'clock. The flyback function can be reset to zero at any time using the pusher located at 8 o'clock.

To stop : use the start/stop pusher located at 10 o'clock to stop the chronograph, then press the reset/flyback pusher

 

COUNTDOWN

The hand of the chronograph minutes counter can be used in countdown mode by means of a pusher located at 9 o'clock. Pressing it once activates the function. An aperture at 7 o'clock displays the mode selected: ON for countdown mode and OFF for chronograph mode.

 

Operation: a pusher at 4 o'clock enables the hand to be adjusted quickly between 59 minutes and 01 minutes. Pressing lightly will advance the hand by one minute, while pressing more firmly will advance it by 5 minutes. Once the countdown time has been set, the pusher at 10 o'clock can be used to start the chronograph. When the minutes hand reaches zero, the display at 7 o'clock changes to OFF. At any moment, the function can be reset to zero via the flyback by pressing the pusher at 8 o'clock.

 

OVERSIZE DATE DISPLAY

Semi-instantaneous, it is horizontally placed beneath 12 o'clock and functions via two skeletonized calendar discs. The date can be easily corrected using the pusher located at 2 o'clock.

 

UTC FUNCTION

The RM 039 Aviation E6-B features the display of a second time zone by means of a hand filled with superluminova. It can be easily adjusted using the function selector.

 

FUNCTION SELECTOR

In a manner similar to a car's gearbox, a push-button located at the center of the crown allows one to select the winding, neutral and hand setting functions with a simple push. A hand at 4 o'clock displays the selected function: W (Winding) – N (Neutral) – H (Hands).) – U (UTC, setting the UTC hand).

 

BALANCE WHEEL WITH VARIABLE INERTIA

This type of balance wheel which represents the ultimate in innovation, guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during assembly and dismantling of the movement, thus achieving better chronometric results over time. The index is eliminated, thereby allowing a more precise and repeatable adjustment using 4 setting screws.

 

FAST ROTATING BARREL (5 hours per revolution instead of 7.5 hours)

This type of barrel provides the following advantages:

- The phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion is significantly diminished, thereby increasing performance,

- Provision of an excellent mainspring delta curve with an ideal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.

 

WINDING BARREL TEETH AND THIRD-WHEEL PINION WITH CENTRAL INVOLUTE PROFILE

The wheel with a central developing profile and a pressure angle of 20° promotes rolling movement more effectively, compensates differences between centers, ensures excellent torque transmission and a distinct improvement in performance.

 

SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE BRIDGES

This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.

 

 

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

 

Diameter: 38.95 mm

Thickness: 7.95 mm

Number of jewels: 58

Balance wheel: GLUCYDUR, 2 arms and 4 setting screws

Moment of inertia 11.50 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°

Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)

Balance spring: ELINVAR by NIVAROX

Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28

Stones set in white-gold bezel settings

Barrel shaft in nickel-free Chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S), with the following characteristics: stainless -antimagnetic - tempered

 

CASE

The case features a unique three-part structure. The system is completed by the incorporation of horns in the case assembly. The three-part case of the RM 039 is very difficult to make. After a turning operation lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes, no less than 800 milling operations are required, taking several hours. Machining demands nearly 11 hours of separate operations. It is followed by a meticulous quality control procedure that takes a full day for each case. The 5 pushers, their components and the crown of the RM 039 require 10 days of machining, during which they undergo numerous tests for water-resistance and quality control, followed by the manual brushing and polishing of the entire case. All of these stages are vital in producing the characteristic ergonomic quality of Richard Mille watches. To facilitate reading off altitude density, the RM 039 has a movable indicator at 2 o'clock incorporated into the edge. This edge is also equipped with a button, which raises the indicator up when pressed once. This ensures a more accurate read-out.

 

BIDRECTIONAL BEZEL WITH E6-B SLIDE RULE

The bezel of the RM 039 provides a large amount of information positioned on the E6-B slide rule:

 

Rotating bezel

The yellow transfers show a logarithmic scale (from 10 to 99) and the units of measurement, in red, can be used to convert the measurements used in aeronautics. Equivalents can thus be found between kilometers (KM), nautical miles (NAUT) and statute miles (STAT), or between liters (Liters), US gallons (US GAL) and imperial gallons (IMP GAL). Meters (Meters) can also be converted into feet (FT), and kilograms (KG) into pounds (LBS) and vice versa. The indications shown in yellow on the outside at 9 o'clock enable the air temperature to be selected from -60°C to +50°C. This is essential for calculating real altitude in flight in relation to temperature. An altitude scale is provided via a red transfer on the outside of the bezel at 12 o'clock. It is expressed in thousands of feet, from 0 to 50. The same scale is visible on the outside (white transfer) at 2:30, but graduated in this case from -10 to +45. Using these two scales on the outside of the bezel combined with the slide rule enable real flight speed to be calculated in relation to air temperature and altitude.

 

Fixed bezel

A second logarithmic scale (from 10 to 99) can be used to read off conversions of units of measurement. It also has an hour scale from 1 o'clock (rate 60) to 9 o'clock. This scale can be used to solve any problem related to distance, speed and time. By combining the logarithmic scales on the fixed and rotating bezels, values can be added, subtracted, multiplied and even divided. Positioned at 9 o'clock, the yellow transfer shows the scale in thousands of feet from 0 to 30 and the red one at 12 o'clock shows an air temperature scale from -70°C to +50°C. Lastly, the fixed bezel of the RM 039 gives an altitude indication in thousands of feet (located at 2:30). Read-off is facilitated by the addition of a movable indicator incorporated in the edge of the case-middle.

 

The desired calculation will depend on the position of the rotating bezel in relation to the fixed bezel. This bezel is exceedingly complex, and required many months of research to combine the easy adjustment and optimum legibility of these various calculations and their results.

 

SPLINE SCREWS IN GRADE 5 TITANIUM FOR THE CASE

This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.

 

UPPER FLANGE

In titanium with a black surface treatment, its hour-markers are filled with an approved luminescent substance.

 

DIAL

In sapphire (thickness: 0.40 mm) with anti-glare coating (both sides), protected by 8 silicon clamps inserted in the outer and inner grooves.

 

CRYSTAL

- Bezel side: in sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare coating (on both sides)

- Thickness: 2.20 mm

- Case back: in sapphire with anti-glare treatment (on both sides)

- Thickness: 1.40 mm in the center and 2.30 mm at the outer edges

 

CROWN

The new patented stem-crown assembly provides total protection of the movement from external influences, as the crown of the RM 039 is not connected to the heart of the movement. Integrated into the case, it is impossible to displace, but still enables the watchmaker to manipulate it with ease. It is an ideal solution for safeguarding the long life of the mechanism.

 

 

FINISHING

 

MOVEMENT

- Hand-polished bevelling

- Microblasted milled section

- Polished sinks

- PVD surface treatment on the baseplate and bridges

 

STEEL PARTS

- Satin-finished surfaces

- Hand-polished bevelling

- Hand-polished sinks

- Hand-burnished sections

 

PROFILE-TURNING

- Lapped and polished ends

- Burnished pivots

- Polished post faces

 

WHEELS

- Concave chamfering with a diamond tool

- Diamond-polished angles

- Circular-finished faces

- Rhodium-plating (before cutting the teeth)

- A few small retouching operations are carried out on the wheels to preserve their geometry and performance

 

Press Release