Introducing: Richard Mille’s Manual Winding Tourbillon 17-02 Goes Titanium
What We Know
Richard Mille doesn’t need to make big announcements for their new watches. They’re bold, aggressive, eye-catching, and rare enough that they tend to speak for themselves. That’s why the new RM17-02 manual wind tourbillon in grade 5 titanium likely flew under the radar for many people. But, in my mind, at least, it’s the perfect representation of what makes Richard Mille just so well known.
The RM17-02 came out earlier this year in White Quartz TPT, which is one of Richard Mille’s highest-end offering case materials, which was limited to 30 pieces. But titanium is where it all started for Richard Mille (well, titanium and carbon nano-fiber) so the new release in titanium feels very at home for the watch.
The tonneau-shaped case measures 40.10mm wide by 48.15mm long and 13.08mm thick, housing the RM17-02 skeletonized movement. The manually-wound movement has 70 hours of power reserve with display, with a function selector display, all in a 4.65mm thick movement. The bridges are treated in blue PVD and 5N gold, and the baseplate, supporting the tourbillon movement with a variable-inertia balance wheel and fast-rotating barrel, is machined from grade 5 titanium with a black PVD treatment. While the brand hasn’t provided wrist shots of the watch, it seems like it should fit well on the wrist and be rather lightweight. There’s also no provided price, but the RM17-01 in carbon was just under $500,000 when it came out five years ago, so you can use that as a marker if you’re in the market.
What We Think
Does anyone need a sporty titanium manually-wound tourbillon watch? No. Do I want one? Hell yeah, I want one. Sure, the quartz TPT model looked pretty cool, but the brushed titanium case on the new RM17-02 is old-school Richard Mille in the best way. If you can be nostalgic for a time (and a watch) you’ve never experienced, this watch will hammer that feeling home.
For all the other crazy releases and treatments from Richard Mille (the Baby Nadal and RM67-02 being two all-time personal favorites), the market seemingly has forgotten how good the brushed titanium look is on an RM. Here, the yellow numerals on the sapphire dial add a pop that makes it feel a bit more like a modern release from the brand but not too loud, like a watch with giant skeletonized gold “devil horn” hands or a big smiley face. The blue PVD on the bridges could be a bit too loud, but much of that only shows up on the rear of the watch. So, if you’re in the market for a classically styled new RM, the RM17-02 TI should have you covered.
The Basics
Brand: Richard Mille
Model: RM17-02 TI
Diameter: 40.10mm wide by 48.15mm long
Thickness: 13.08mm
Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium
Dial Color: Skeletonized with anti-glare sapphire
Indexes: Printed
Lume: None
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap/Bracelet: Blue or black strap
The Movement
Caliber: RM17-02
Functions: Hours, minutes, power-reserve, and function indicators
Diameter: 31.25 x 29.45 mm
Thickness: 4.65 mm
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Winding: Manual winding
Frequency: 21,600 vph
Jewels: 23
Additional Details: Tourbillon diameter of 12.30 mm; Glucydur® balance, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, moment of inertia 10 mg•cm2, angle of lift 53o
Pricing & Availability
Price: Upon request
Availability: Now
For more, click here.
Hodinkee