A Closer Look at The Richard Mille RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough
Wristwatches are no longer serving as mere timepieces. Instead, they have become symbols that define the lifestyles we enjoy. They help us to make a social statement about who we are, what we do, and what we can afford. They also help us to show other what we appreciate the most in life with regard to art and machines. One of the most popular wristwatches that people have been talking about in recent months is The Richard Mille RM 53-01. Some of the things that drew fans to this watch include its bright blue accents, its price, the unique design of its dial, as well as its carbon case. That’s why we have chosen to take a closer look at The Richard Mille RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough. One thing you will appreciate about it is that it’s truly worth the attention it received.
The RM 53-01 is the second Tourbillon watch from Richard for Pablo Mac Donough. The first one was released in 2012, and it didn’t have a classic watch design either. Instead of having a traditional wide dial, he used a protective titanium carbide case, with an opening shaped like an eight. One section of the eight opening was for the minutes dial, while the second one was for the hours dial. He attached the seconds arm to the tourbillon. The design was to create a watch that would withstand the rough handling on the polo pitch, and still be able to have a distinctive silhouette. When it comes to the RM 53-01, he applied the principle of making it as robust as possible, but used a different approach to achieve that goal.
The Price
Well, the first thing you notice about this watch is that it’s totally a high-end watch. Furthermore, there are only 30 of them that were made. The reason for its high price at $900,000 is that it’s a limited edition, it’s made from high quality and high-tech materials, and most important, it required unique and non-traditional watch design skills, even by Richard Mille tourbillon standards. The price is therefore the first thing that may make many want to pass on when thinking of this watch, which is fine because it’s a limited edition after all.
Design
Everything that you see in the RM 53-01 is about increasing its strength, but keeping its weight down. To achieve its ultra low weight, Richard Mille shaped its case out of Carbon TPT, and cut down its dimensions to just 44.5mm by 49.94mm by 16.15mm. The TPT composite has an appearance of forged carbon, which is why it has been quite popular in the recent past. Moreover, the material gives this watch a bulky outlook, but it’s actual lightweight when you hold it. You also have an option to choose between a blue silicone rubber straps, or get one with a fabric-Velcro straps.
One deviation you will notice from the RM 053 is that the RM 53-01’s movement is at the front-center. You will also notice that the tourbillion, along with power train and barrel is supported by uniquely curved bridges, that hold the movement in a central position, as well as the caliber that is attached to the case with an array of cables. The whole idea here is to make sure that the moment is cautioned from external shocks and mechanical trauma. The two braided steel cables measure just 0.27mm in diameter, and have been tightened using 4 tensioners and 10 pulleys, which are spread on the outer parts of the movement as well as the inner edge.
One has to acknowledge that it’s clearly a complex design, but it enables the watch’s movement to take forces exceeding 5,000 Gs. To get things into perspective, the greatest G-force that a human has survived is 214Gs, which was in 2003 after an IndyCar driver crashed into a catch fence.
Other Outstanding Features
Other unique features of the watch compared to others by Richard Mille are the barrel. It is able to rotate faster, taking about six hours to make a complete rotation instead of the seven and half hours. That enables it provide consistent power throughout its rotation, and during its 70-hours provided by the power reserve. The crystal is made of three layers, which is why you will notice the blue tint in its photos. The crystal has two pieces of sapphire glass sandwiching a polyvinyl film, which holds them together to prevent shattering in case of an impact. Richard Mille has patent for this design, which also happens to be his first.
Overall, the RM 53-01 ‘s high price is matched with a design that’s both unique and robust. We hope that you enjoyed reading this review, and if you get one, it helps you send the right message.
