Swiss uber-luxury watchmaker Richard Mille has come up with three exceptional new timepieces that will be launched at the 2015 SIHH in Geneva. One of them is the new RM 19-02 Tourbillion Fleur that epitomizes the traditions of horological artistry in a vibrant expression of watchmaking distinctive to Richard Mille’s vision of timekeeping in the 21st century. For the creation of this exquisite timepiece, a special flower, the magnolia, was chosen as its existence marks millions of years on the earth even before the emergence of bees within the environment, flowering in an endless cycle of birth and regeneration. The magnolia’s delicate appearance stands in sharp contrast to its strong organic structure and resilience in difficult environments.
In the RM 19-02 timepiece, at the lower left of the dial you’ll find the Magnolia surrounding a flying tourbillion escapement with five delicate, hand created and colored petals. Working either in passing, or on demand using the pusher at 9 o’clock, the Magnolia opens and closes with rhythmic regularity in a delicate kinetic ballet. However, the Magnolia does not just open, but the entire flying tourbillion with its stone set stamen actually moves upwards 1mm when fully opened, exactly copying the natural motion of the flower’s arching upwards of its stamen to increase its chances of pollination. As for the unique grade 5 titanium tourbillon caliber, a complex mechanism comprising 5 levers surrounds the underside of the petals, and yet another system combined with a long pinion is used to raise the flying tourbillon and stamen upwards within the flower’s circumference – all using energy supplied by a separate, second winding barrel. As an added attention to the tiniest details, it is even possible to adjust the opening and closing cycle. The RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur is limited to a production of 30 pieces worldwide but there is no word on the pricing.
[Via – World-Tempus]
