[New for 2022] Richard Mille unveils the new RM 47 Tourbillon, a watch that embodies the spirit of Bushido

Richard Mille unveiled the new RM 47 Tourbillon, a tribute to Japanese culture, including the samurai and bushido. This work of art, which took about four years from conception to completion, incorporates hand-carved armor into a bold design. Limited to 75 pieces worldwide, it is also priced at an astonishing 136.4 million yen.

The texture of the armor is expressed through hand carving

　This is big news: Richard Mille has unveiled an art piece inspired by traditional Japanese culture. The RM 47 Tourbillon, unveiled for the first time in Japan, is a one-of-a-kind piece that took approximately four years of effort from conception to design and completion. It goes beyond being a mere wristwatch and has been added to the brand's list of models that are "worthy of appreciation."

　This work was born from a candid conversation between brand partner and two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso and Richard Mille. Fernando Alonso has a deep affection for traditional Japanese culture and the spirit of the samurai, and many elements of Japanese culture are expressed in various parts of the work.

　The armor, which expresses the essence of the samurai code of ethics that is still passed down in modern Japanese society, is made of yellow gold and is reminiscent of the gold leaf used in the decoration of ancient Japanese shrines and the works of traditional artisans. The motifs on the armor were hand-carved by engraver Pierre-Alain Lozeron and painted by his wife Valérie Lozeron.

　Many of the details in this work are inspired by the Asano family, a family headed by the samurai spirit. Asano Naganori, the lord of the Ako domain in the 18th century, was also the leader of 47 ronin who pursued after him to avenge the enemy who had caused his death.

　Each head of a family has a symbolic crest, or family crest, and this model features the Asano family crest, placed proudly over the center of the tourbillon at 6 o'clock. The two crossed hawk feathers within a circle represent strength in battle and the authority of the feudal lord. This crest is also intricately engraved on the hem of the samurai's helmet.

　The crown, crafted from a combination of titanium, Carbon TPT®, and 3N yellow gold, is elegant and beautiful, and is designed with a Japanese maple motif, a symbol of the season and a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life. The two swords in the sheaths are positioned with their blades facing upwards, ready for immediate withdrawal.

"There are many similarities between our artistic creations and the weaponry we use, such as the sword and the chisel, the blade and the moat marks that demonstrate the engraver's technical precision," says engraver Pierre-Alain Lozeron. The samurai depicted in this piece is made up of a total of 11 parts on the dial and case back, and is in perfect harmony with all the details, including the movement.

　It took over 16 hours of engraving and 9 hours of painting to create each piece of armor, making it a true masterpiece comparable to a sculpture, requiring patience, meticulous attention to detail, dexterity, and passion.

Tourbillon movement controls the time display

　This model is equipped with a newly developed movement, the Caliber RM 47. Designed to harmonize with the tonneau-shaped case and armor motif, it features hour and minute hands and a beautifully designed free-sprung balance tourbillon.

　Another notable feature is the use of grade 5 titanium for the baseplate and bridges. Its corrosion resistance and exceptional strength allow parts such as gears to function more smoothly and efficiently. This grade 5 titanium, composed of 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium, is widely used in the aerospace and automotive industries. The surfaces of the bridges are gray PVD coated and microblasted, providing excellent rigidity to the entire movement.

　The barrel, which provides a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, is a special "high-speed rotating barrel." While conventional models require approximately 7.5 hours for one rotation, this model requires approximately 6 hours. This effectively prevents the mainspring from periodically sticking, which can degrade accuracy.