• Two variations: one in full grade 5 titanium and one in Carbon TPT^® with 5N red gold
  
• New skeletonised automatic movement with a platinum micro rotor
  
• Small seconds display at 6 o’clock

The new RM 33-03 Automatic reflects Richard Mille’s ongoing evolution, introducing a new round automatic watch that remains true to its uncompromising technical and aesthetic standards. The RM 33-03 succeeds the RM 33-02, introducing greater complexity while preserving the unique ergonomics of the earlier shape. Here, the sporty lines of a tonneau shape meld with the natural balance of a circular watch.

“As with every creation in the Richard Mille collection, the blend of elegance, technicity, and ergonomics exhibited by the RM 33-03 attests the care that went into it,” says Cécile Guenat, Creation and Development Director at Richard Mille.

At the heart of the RM 33-03 Automatic lies the new skeletonised automatic RMXP3 calibre, a movement whose slim 3.28 mm profile comes thanks to its off-centre, monobloc micro rotor crafted from solid platinum. Mounted on ceramic ball bearings and winding bi-directionally, the rotor ensures optimal energy generation while ensuring the compactness of the entire movement. The latter rests on a titanium baseplate treated with Titalyt^®, an electro-plasma oxidation process that enhances hardness and resistance. Produced in the same material, the bridges are entirely coated with black PVD. This combination of material and surface treatment makes the entire assembly rigid and ensures precise surface flatness, the key to flawless functioning of the gear train and accurate timekeeping. Such precision engineering demands exceptional care and expertise, as thin components are naturally prone to flexing and vibrating under the mechanical stress of machining and the thermal variations encountered during both manufacturing and finishing processes.

Surrounding the calibre is a black PVD-treated titanium date disc. Semi-instantaneous, it is visible suspended above the white-coloured field of the aperture at 5 o’clock. Unusual for a Richard Mille watch, the small-seconds display appears at 6 o’clock. A historic horological complication that, beyond its aesthetic aspect, enlivens the dial with subtle motion.

These complex mechanics come to life thanks to a variable-inertia balance operating at 3Hz. By setting four small weights around the balance wheel, the oscillation rate may be fine-tuned without altering the length of the hairspring. This regulating organ, the apotheosis of watchmaking, meticulously regulates the energy stored in the fast-rotating barrel, providing over 40 hours of power reserve.

And of course, a Richard Mille watch is never short on traditional Haute Horlogerie techniques like sandblasting, micro-blasting, satin-finishing, and bevelling, which must be applied by skilled craftspeople. “The idea is to accentuate the volumes within the calibre,” Cécile Guenat adds. “Meanwhile, the empty and full spaces created by the movement’s high degree of skeletonisation also contribute to a shadow and light mood.”

Enhancing the three-dimensional architecture of the calibre, numerals in 18K 5N red gold are mounted on rigid titanium rails positioned between the flange and the movement hovering above the calibre. This intricate dial, like the bridges, is a technical feat due to its thinness, but is also functional. Spanning the entire calibre, it draws the eye to the small seconds counter.

The RM 33-03 Automatic builds on the aesthetic codes of its predecessor, preserving and evolving them. Forward-thinking materials like titanium and Carbon TPT^® contribute greatly to the identity of this watch, as both case materials are incredibly light in addition to being scratch resistant and visually appealing.

Whether in Carbon TPT^® or in grade 5 titanium, the case is defined by the sleek lines of its sport-inspired design, merging the curvature of the brand’s tonneau cases with the distinctive features of its circular watches. Secured by the brand’s signature titanium spline screws, the tripartite case structure features a combination of satin and polished finishes.

Both versions measure 41.7 mm in diameter and are merely 9.7 mm thick, a compact dimension that makes them perfectly suited to any wrist; combined with their ultra-light weight, they are barely noticeable when worn.

The strap design follows these unique lines from indentations at 6 and 12 o’clock, creating a strikingly original dynamic. These vanishing lines further contribute to extending the energy of the case design. A grade 5 titanium folding buckle ensures a perfect fit and secure fastening on wrists.

The RM 33-03 Automatic is available in full titanium or in Carbon TPT^® with a 5N red gold caseband, continuing Richard Mille’s tradition of combining very high-end materials with the most advanced ones. A union in line with the brand’s philosophy, the new RM 33-03 Automatic is a masterclass in contemporary comfort using cutting-edge visuals and technology.

Calibre RMXP3 : Mouvement squeletté à remontage automatique avec heures, minutes, petite seconde, date et rotor monobloc excentré en platine.

Movement dimensions: 33.00 mm
Thickness: 3.28 mm
Jewels: 29
Balance: Glucydur^®, 4 arms, 4 setting weights, moment of inertia 5.75 mg•cm², angle dof lift 53°
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
Balance spring: AK3
Shock protection: Incabloc 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)



Power reserve: Around 42 hours (±10%).

Baseplate and bridges in grade 5 titanium
Manufacturing these components in grade 5 titanium, treated with Titalyt^® on the baseplate and black PVD coating
on the bridges, confers great rigidity on the entire ultra-thin assembly and ensures the precise surface flatness essential for perfect functioning of the gear train as well as stability of the movement.

The skeletonised baseplate and the bridges were subjected to separate and extensive validation tests to ensure they met rigorous strength requirements.

Date display
Semi-instantaneous, placed in a vertical aperture at 5 o’clock.

Free-sprung balance with variable inertia
This type of balance wheel represents the ultimate in innovation. It guarantees greater reliability when subjected
to shocks and during movement assembly or disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time.
The regulator index is eliminated, and a more accurate and repeatable calibration is possible thanks to 4 adjustable small weights located directly on the balance.

Monobloc micro-rotor
To ensure the decentralised rotor’s optimal winding efficiency, the monobloc micro rotor has been designed to wind bi-directionally and is manufactured of solid platinum, conferring an optimal weight-to-volume ratio.

Spline screws in grade 5 titanium for the bridges and case
This permits better control of the torque applied to screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.


Movement

• Baseplate made of hand-ground grade 5 titanium, wet sandblasted, Titalyt^® treated
  
• Bridges in PVD-treated grade 5 titanium, wet sandblasted, top surface polished by hand
  
• Hand-polished locking sections
  
• Burnished pivots
  
• Diamond-polished sinks on the bridge side
  
• Pinions with undercuts

Steel parts

• Microblasted and hand-drawn surfaces
  
• Sapphire-blasted surfaces
  
• Anglage and polishing by hand

Wheels

• Rhodium plating (before cutting the teeth)
  
• Minimal corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance.

Dimensions : 41.70 x 9.70 x 49.50 mm

Dial:
The numerals are created from 5N red gold and mounted on two linked, rigid, black PVD-and satin-finished titanium rails attached directly to the movement.
Thickness: 0.75 mm

Crystal

• Bezel side: Sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
  Thickness: 1.30 mm
  
• Caseback: Sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
  Thickness: 1.00 mm at the centre

The design and execution of this case typify the holistic approach to conception of the entire movement, case and dial. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications. For example, a casing ring is no longer used and the movement is mounted on chassis mounting rubbers (ISO SW) fixed by 4 grade 5 titanium screws.

The tripartite case is assembled using 14 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel, further complemented by integration of the lugs into the case’s torque screw system.

The tripartite case is water resistant to 30 metres, ensured by 2 Nitrile O-ring seals.