Richard Milles’ new partner is Alain Prost, one of the motorsport’s genuine legends. A four-time Formula One World Champion with 51 victories to his name, his racing duels have gone down in history as some of the most exciting ever. So, no wonder why he was the inspiration for the new RM watch – the RM 70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost.
The new Richard Mille RM 70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost features a hand-wound tourbillon movement with hours, minutes, power-reserve indicator and an unprecedented mechanical odometer, a totaliser which displays the overall distance travelled in a given season or period.
RM 70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost
This mechanical odometer can tally distances of up to 99,999 kilometres, but it can also serve as a reminder, as the mechanism makes it possible to specify set dates or times.
The watch designed for Alain Prost was the first to be totally asymmetric; tapered in thickness and widening between 2 and 5 o’clock, it prevents the dynamometric crown from rubbing against the sprinter’s wrist as he waits, wrists bent, in the starting blocks.
Equipped with a 70-hour power-reserve, visible at 5 o’clock thanks to an indicator powered by a planetary differential, this 3 Hz (21,600 vph) tourbillon calibre sports a baseplate and bridges in grade 5 titanium. Titanium’s extreme stiffness enables the calibre to withstand the roughest of trails with ease.
Nods to the realm of cycling abound, from the titanium Allen screws that fix the bridges, to the barrel ratchet, which recalls the design of forged wheel spokes, up to the tourbillon cage and dynamometric crown, evocative of a bicycle’s pedal.
RM 70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost
Form and function are approached in yet another manner with the RM 70-01. Because of the downward wrist position cyclists use when going at out, extra attention to comfort and ease of movement during use was focused on the case and strap. Never has form so perfectly espoused function than in this complex case combining tonneau, rectangular and asymmetrical lines.
Its taut, curved lines were designed to ensure the greatest possible comfort for wear on the right wrist, and for optimal legibility with hands on the bars.
The watch is limited to 30 pieces, priced at CHF 799,000 US$ 815,500 before taxes. Each buyer of the RM 70-01 will receive as a gift their very own bespoke road cycle. Developed by Alain Prost and Richard Mille in partnership with the prestigious Italian bikemaker Colnago, these individually numbered bicycles are made by hand and painted in the watchmaking brand’s colours.
