WPS member · Richard Mille forum
14 replies7341 views19 photos
Andrew H (219) delivers a captivating live report and review of the Richard Mille RM060-01 Voiles de Saint Barths, directly from the 2015 yacht regatta. His firsthand account emphasizes the watch's practical utility for navigation in challenging marine conditions, underscoring its design as a crucial tool for sailors beyond mere luxury. Andrew's insights highlight the watch's purpose-driven features, making a strong case for its relevance even in the age of advanced electronics.
Live Report and Review of the Richard Mille RM 060-01 watch from the Voiles de Saint Barth yacht regatta 2015
Scorcha sailing downwind alone: the Richard Mille RM060-01 Spinnaker aloft:
Such a simple idea; but so effective! In fact, so simple, so effective, you are left wondering why it took this long to appear on a watch in such a straightforward manner? One thing you learn in math is that the most effective solutions, the most beautiful, are the most simple. Navigating your way across the oceans, where there may be no direct line of sight with an object to keep track on your direction, and you no longer have an operational compass, requires that some other means is found to steer the correct course.
I will openly admit that the Voiles de Saint Barth is nothing like a lone mariner traversing the South Seas and staying alive by his wits, but then in this age of GPS positioning, on even your cell phone, what use is a mechanical watch that has a UTC (universal time) and a compass bezel? The short answer, is to ask a question: what if the power on the yacht shorts out? What then? You need an alternative; you need some means to find your way home. Even in a regatta; even with the best of sailors. It’s happened before: the Fastnet Race in 1979; the Sydney-Hobart Race in 1988. Storms blow in; communication arrays are ripped apart; and a yacht has to find safe harbour.
[The Maxi class yachts fly off the start with the departing storm behind them]
This was my third time at the Voiles de Saint Barth (http://richardmille.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-18/pi-3802601/ti-606936/s-0/t-richard-mille-racing-with-the-trade-winds-richard-mille-at-the-voiles-de-saint-barths/ ; richardmille.watchprosite.com
). Sitting on the start line on the third day, the organizer delayed the gun because of a storm. Out in the open ocean it is all too easy for the yachts to get blown off course, for disaster to strike, and for regatta to be scattered across the sea. Sailing, with a fair wind, a clear sky, and the sun on your back, looks innocuous enough, but I have been out on the seas around Saint Barth when a mast has split, experienced professional sailors have been washed overboard, when the sails have been run down during a storm, and when the course has been halved to bring the yachts home. On more basic yachts, where no electronic navigation has been present (on a Laser or 420), line of sight between markers is all you have. If the weather changes, and you are all at sea (in every sense of the phrase), the most basic of navigation tools can get you home.
[One of the smaller yachts heads out with the regatta into the storm]
[Commanche drops the spinnaker to round the mark]
The RM060-01 is Richard’s regatta watch; specifically designed with the sailor in mind. It has a number of functions that a sailor, whether on a racing yacht or not, will find useful: hours, minutes, seconds, a flyback chronograph (measuring seconds, minutes in a 30 minute counter, and a 24 hour counter), an oversize date, month indicator, a UTC hand, a variable geometry rotor on the movement.
However the main idea behind the RM060-01 is deceptively simple, but very effective. A little lateral thinking on a little received wisdom goes a long way. One of the ways you can find direction (true north) when you don’t have a compass is to use the hour hand on your watch. There are two methods to using a watch to navigate: One method is for the northern hemisphere and the other is for the southern hemisphere. Given the division of the bezel on the RM060-01 (into Hemisphere Nord and Hemisphere Sud you can start to see where this is going). At the outset, this method requires that your watch is set to the correct time and working accurately.
If you are sailing in the Northern Hemisphere: with your watch horizontal to the sea, point the hour hand at the sun and look at where the “12” is on your watch. Identify the halfway point between the hour hand and the “12”. That direction is south. Which means the exact direction opposite of south is north. If you have south and north, then east and west should now be clear. If you are sailing in the Southern Hemisphere, you reverse the process. Hold your watch horizontal to the sea and point the “12” at the sun. Identify the halfway point between the 12 and the hour hand. That direction will be north. The rest follows. However, there is an important issue to think about with using this method. If daylight savings time is in operation then this method to be slightly off (to put it mildly). You would have to remember to turn back your hour hand one hour for the purpose of finding the exact direction; and then be sure to turn your hour hand ahead to the correct time after you have determined the direction. The issue becomes serious as forgetting to turn your hour hand ahead to the correct time would mean that your direction later that day will be off. And it will be off by as much as 30 degrees to on the horizontal; which potentially implies that not only will you miss your intended destination port, you might miss the entire country altogether!
[Downwind with the spinnakers aloft]
So here is where Richard’s piece of lateral thinking comes in very handy. First, the RM060 is fitted with the UTC hand. This is adjusted using the bottom left pusher as you look at the dial of the watch. For those who wish to know, the UTC is the accurate equivalent of GMT. Neither UTC nor GMT include and adjustment for daylight saving; they are constants. UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time (or in French: Temps Universel Coordonné). For those who are interested: as the French and English could not agree, UTC was adopted as a compromise! It is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time to within about 1 second of mean solar time at 0 degrees longitude.
Using the UTC hand and the bezel of the RM060-01, the process of finding north is that much easier. Holding the watch horizontal to the sea simply use the bottom left hand pusher to move the UTC hand to the direction of the sun. Then turn the bezel (depending on whether you are in the Northern or Southern hemisphere) to so that the time of where you are on the 24 hour clock (on the bezel ) is next to the arrow of the UTC hand. North will be indicated on the bezel as will other points of the compass. It’s that simple!
[The display back of the RM060-01 VDSB displays the symbol for the regatta]
The RM060-01 VDSB is the same watch as the RM060-01 in terms of the mechanics: the same Vaucher based automatic movement and the Dubois-Depraz chronograph/date module. The mechanics are tried and tested and work perfectly. What the RM060-01 VDSB has is a colour scheme that makes it more vibrant (suiting the place for which the regatta is named: St. Barth), and making the dials more legible. The hands now have an orange colour that makes them stand out from the dial; and likewise, the pushers are coloured orange rather than red. The crown grip is vibrant blue, as are the markings for the northern hemisphere on the bezel. The colour for the southern hemisphere is orange. The colours are offsetting and the dial that much more legible because of it.
The RM060-01 movement and case has a number of features that make it perfect for yachting. First off, the case is water depth rated to 100 metres. Not that you want any of your crew to be that far away from your yacht, but a case that can take that kind of pressure then it can take the continuous knocks that watch and sailor suffer when racing. And believe me, the knocks occur. What is impressive is that even though such a case (with a depth of approximately 16.5 mm) would be a near certain ‘ding’ magnet, the titanium takes the hit and seems to be impervious to it; which is a good thing because the potential to knock any watch on a yacht, especially under racing conditions, is almost certain.
Second, the crown and pushers for the chronograph have a simple and intuitive locking system. So very important for any 10 minute start-gun; or a start gun with any other duration for that matter. The inner crown ring has two marker arrows; one in green, the other in red. Turn it to green to operate the crown and the pushers. Turn it (90 degrees) to red to lock. For the start-gun, start the chronograph, lock the pushers, and wait for the 10 minutes to pass. As with any of Richard’s ideas for his watches: simple, effective, and very ergonomic. The seconds are counted on the sweep hand; the minutes are counted on the 30 minute sub dial.
Racing at this year’s Voiles de Saint Barth was more competitive than ever. As Richard noted, the brand and the event have grown together. This year there were over 70 entries across a range of yacht classifications. From the smaller non-spinnaker yachts to the majestic Maxi class to the stunningly fast multi-hull “phaedo3” that has a top speed capability of 40 knots and moves through the water so swiftly that it actually strips back its own paint work on the bow of the main hull! But top of the list of entrants were two yachts in the Maxi class that would fight it out for the Richard Mille trophy. Returning with a new and improved “Rambler”, George David was out to regain his position as the number one yacht at this regatta. But this year he had substantial completion in the form of “Commanche”. The largest yacht at the regatta, “Commanche” was, in the words of its captain Ken Read “…designed to win.” It speaks volumes about George David and his “Rambler” crew that they still prevailed in the main competition. Once again, George David received a Richard Mille watch (on this occasion a RM060-01 Regatta) and Richard joked that pretty soon David could open his own Boutique with all the watches he had won in past Voiles de Saint Barth!
[The perpetual duel between “Rambler” and “Commanche”]
Although competition at the Voiles de Saint Barth is carried out in a spirit of friendly rivalry, it attracts some of the very best sailors in the world: Peter Holmberg (Americas Cup winner and Olympic medalist), Lionel Pean (Whitbread Round the World winner), Ken Read (veteran of three Americas Cup), and Loick Peyron (winner of the Route du Rhum and still involved in Americas Cup racing with “Artemis”). You want to win, but you win on the water! Once again the conditions at the Voiles de Saint Barth tested both sailor and sail. The conditions in the waters around the small Collectivity are some of the more challenging for competitive yachting. Where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic, along with changing wind patterns, the wave swell can be high as two metres. Storms come and go in an instant, and the swell from the waves can wash a crew member overboard without warning.
[“phaedo3” passes in an instant!]
[Scorcha rounds the mark ahead of Vesper: 2nd and 1st respectively in the TR52 class at the Voiles de Saint Barth 2015]
Being able to test the watch on a yacht makes all the difference in appreciating the thought that goes into it. How easy are the functions to operate on a yacht that can list suddenly; how legible when you only have a moment to glance; how robust to the conditions on the yacht and still not look as if it was tied to the keel and dragged along the sea bed! The short answer to all of this is that the RM060-01 VDSB is up to the task with ease. I know because I took the RM060-01 VDSB prototype for a racing test run. Took it on the yacht, in the sea, and into the clubhouse afterwards! Throughout it all I was so very impressed with the performance. Time was easily legible in or out of the water! The functions were easy and intuitive to operate. No fuss; no fiddly buttons to push – the pushers on the RM060-01 are responsive and operational even with gloves on; the same holds for turning the bezel. And in the clubhouse after, the watch is thing of beauty and despite the knocks received during the race, it looks as good as new and admittedly, it stands out!
[Leaving Gustavia Port with the RM060-01 VDSB on my wrist: note how the colours on the watch are reflected in the colours of surroundings – it really is the ideal combination of limited edition, complications, and locale for this watch. This watch is the perfect symbol of both place and the regatta]
If you are in the market for a high-end yachting watch at the moment, and have not blown your whole budget on the yacht, then the RM060-01 VDSB should be given serious consideration. While a number of high-end watch manufacturers have specialist watches for yachting and the lifestyle that goes with it, more often than not, it is just a new design of case without any particular functions that would benefit the sailor. Some exceptions exist, but mostly that is tied to a countdown stopwatch function that is set at a particular duration in terms of minutes. The RM060-01 Regatta is therefore a class apart, from just about any perspective: navigational tool, stopwatch function, or indeed, design. It is the aquatic racing machine for the wrist! The RM060-01 VDSB has that added rarity factor. Only 50 watches in the limited edition; and to add to the rarity factor, you can only get one of them through the northern and southern America boutiques.
[The final word from the man himself!]
Andrew H
PS. If you want some idea of what racing is like at the Voiles de Saint Barth, take a look at the videos on this page: www.lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com
This message has been edited by 219 on 2015-04-22 03:06:50 This message has been edited by 219 on 2015-04-22 08:20:47
This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-04-22 15:10:39 This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-05-11 17:36:40 About the Richard Mille Ref. RM060
The Richard Mille RM 060-01 Regatta Flyback Chronograph is a specialized instrument designed for navigation, featuring a unique annual calendar and a flyback chronograph function. Its most distinctive characteristic is the innovative three-dimensional rotating bezel, which serves as a compass, allowing for precise orientation based on the position of the sun. This integration of a practical navigational tool directly into the watch's architecture distinguishes it within the brand's collection of technical timepieces. The design prioritizes legibility and functionality, essential for its intended use in competitive sailing environments.
The watch is constructed with a multi-part case, typically combining materials such as titanium, NTPT carbon, or red gold, to achieve both lightness and robustness. The tonneau-shaped case houses a sophisticated automatic movement, the RM060, which provides a substantial power reserve. A sapphire crystal protects the dial, offering clear visibility of the intricate display. The case dimensions are substantial, reflecting the watch's complex mechanical nature and its role as a high-performance instrument.
This reference appeals to collectors who value technical innovation and specialized functionality within high horology. Its focus on practical navigation, combined with the brand's signature engineering, positions it as a significant piece for enthusiasts of complicated sports watches. The RM 060-01 represents a commitment to developing purpose-built timekeeping devices that push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, offering a distinct blend of mechanical complexity and real-world utility.
Specifications
- Caliber
- RM060
- Case
- Titanium, NTPT Carbon, Red Gold
- Diameter
- 50mm x 42.7mm
- Dial
- Skeletonized
- Water Resist.
- 100m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
About the Richard Mille Flyback Chronograph Regatta Ref. RM060-01
Richard Mille RM060-01 Flyback Chronograph Regatta
The RM060-01 represents Richard Mille's flyback chronograph within the RM 060 series, distinguished by its regatta-specific functionality. This reference combines the brand's contemporary approach to materials engineering with specialized sailing chronograph complications, positioning it as a sport-focused timepiece within the Richard Mille collection.
The 42mm case is constructed from NTPT Carbon and features a rotating unidirectional bezel. A sapphire crystal protects the skeletonized dial, while water resistance extends to 50 meters. The automatic RMAC3 caliber provides 55 hours of power reserve. The watch is completed with a rubber strap suited to active use.
This reference appeals to collectors seeking Richard Mille's technical approach to sports chronographs, particularly those interested in sailing-related complications. Produced from 2017 onward, the RM060-01 represents the brand's application of advanced materials to specialized timing functions, targeting enthusiasts who value both unconventional case materials and flyback chronograph capabilities.
Specifications
- Caliber
- RMAC3
- Case
- NTPT Carbon
- Diameter
- 42 mm
- Dial
- Skeletonized
- Water Resist.
- 50m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
Key Points from the Discussion
- The RM060-01's compass bezel and UTC function evoke memories of traditional navigation methods, highlighting the enduring value of mechanical tools in an era of digital reliance.
- Despite its perceived large size, the RM060-01 wears comfortably on a modest wrist due to its ergonomic design and case curvature, encouraging others to try it on before judging.
- The watch's design and high-tech nature align perfectly with the world of advanced sailing and regattas, making it a fitting companion for such events.
- The author notes that the watch's bulk was 'strangely muted' on the wrist and that its coloring aided in identifying necessary functions while on the water.
- The RM060-01's technical yet appealing design fascinates collectors, even those who typically prefer classical aesthetics.
- While initially not appealing to all, the limited edition RM060-01 has the ability to change perceptions once seen in person or in its intended environment.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Continue the conversation
This thread is active on the Richard Mille forum with 14 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.
Join the Discussion →
