Richard Mille introduces new winding geometry with butterfly rotor and sport mode

Butterfly rotor: In the RM 35-03, Richard Mille presents for the first time a completely new winding system after three years of research and development.

The RM 035 “Baby Nadal” collection is inspired by the RM 027 tourbillon watch worn by Rafa Nadal on the tennis court. It offers focused technology for everyone inspired by top performance. Behind it is a new patented complication: the butterfly oscillating weight with sport mode and function selector.

While the RMAL1 movement of the RM 35-02 was already equipped with a variable geometry rotor (a distinctive feature of Richard Mille automatic movements), the new butterfly rotor of the RM 35-03 allows the wearer to change the rotor geometry and wind the The speed of movement controls his lifestyle and physical activity accordingly. Fun on the one hand and a practical complication on the other.

“Until now, any changes to the rotor geometry had to be made by one of our authorized watchmakers. We wanted to perfect this system to give the wearer the opportunity to directly influence the winding speed of the watch,” said Salvador Salvador, technical manager of movements at Richard Mille. Arbona explained.

“It’s like the driver of a car switching the transmission from city driving to track driving by activating Sport mode.”
The butterfly rotor consists of two grade 5 titanium arms with heavy metal counterweights and is actuated by a separate gear train via a special pusher. In its initial position, the counterweights cause the center of gravity to move radially outward, converting any movement of the carrier into the torque required to wind the barrel. replica watches luxury

However, if you press the pusher at 7 o’clock, the gear of the oscillating weight spreads the two oscillating weights at an angle of 180°. The center of gravity readjusts and balances the oscillating weight, disrupting the winding process and preventing overwinding of the movement.

When switching between settings—from normal mode, where the barrel spring is wound, to “sport mode,” where rotor activity is paused—releasing the function button provides tactile feedback, allowing the wearer to feel the snap and actually feel it on the wrist on the weight part.

A winding indicator at 6 o’clock on the dial shows whether the rotor is active (ON) or not (OFF).
A function selector completes the control of the movement. By pressing the pusher at 2 o’clock, the user can switch between winding (W), neutral (N) and time setting (H) functions.

With elegant and ergonomic lines, the RM 35-03 is available in two versions: blue quartz TPT® with white quartz TPT® case, white quartz TPT® and carbon fiber TPT® with carbon TPT® case with fluted inspiration Derived from RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal.

Thanks to the sapphire crystals on the front and back, the skeletonized movement can be admired from both sides. The bridges and bridges in grade 5 titanium are treated with gray electric plasma and PVD, which accentuate the striking appearance of this timepiece.

Skeletonized hands run along the outer rim, also made of fine-blasted grade 5 titanium, and are marked with the numbers 3, 6, 9 and 12, which slope slightly towards the movement for added depth. The unique look of the two models visually highlights the technical capabilities of the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal.

For the technology fanatics: technical features of the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal
The RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal Automatic is available in two models:
White Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT® models with Carbon TPT® strap
Blue Quartz TPT® model with white Quartz TPT® case
Case Dimensions: 43.15 x 49.95 x 13.15mm
Housing Material: Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT® – two exclusive materials with a unique look. The elegant texture of its surface comes from layers of parallel filaments separated by strands of carbon fiber or silica. The layers are not more than 45 microns thick and are impregnated with synthetic resin. They are woven together by a special machine that can change the direction of the fibers by 45°. These materials are heated to 120° under a pressure of 6 bar and can then be machined on the CNC machines in Richard Mille’s casemaking workshop.
The case is water resistant to 50 meters with two nitrile O-ring seals. It is mounted with 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws and non-marking 316L stainless steel washers.
Crown made of grade 5 titanium and carbon TPT® with rubber O-ring seal.
Inner flange
Upper flange: hour markers filled with approved luminous material
Lower Flange: Sandblasted Grade 5 Titanium, Black Treated Glass
Glass/bezel side: Sapphire crystal (Vickers hardness 1,800) with anti-reflective coating (both sides) Height: 1.50 mm
Glass/Case back: Sapphire crystal (1800 Vickers) with anti-reflective coating (both sides) Height: 1.20 mm
plant:

Caliber RMAL2: Skeleton automatic movement with hours, minutes, seconds, patented butterfly rotor, sport mode and function selector. Power reserve approx. 55 hours (±10%)
Bridges and bridges in grade 5 titanium, black PVD coated and treated with electric plasma technology. It provides the entire assembly with a high level of rigidity and an absolutely flat surface, which is essential for the optimal functioning of the gear train. Skeleton plates and bridges undergo rigorous and extensive validation testing to optimize their durability.
Function selector: A pusher at 2 o’clock allows you to quickly and easily choose between neutral, winding and set pointer functions, similar to gear shifting in a car. The hand at 2 o’clock indicates the selected function. wholesale replica watches

An on/off indicator at 6 o’clock lets the owner know if the rotor is active.
How it works in open mode: the oscillating weight is switched on and winds the barrel.
Function off mode: both weights are expanded. Rotor does not work.
Binocular System: This system helps improve power transmission stability over time. By distributing the stored energy between the two barrels, it is possible to balance torque and reduce friction on bearings and pivots. In the long run, this improves performance significantly.
Butterfly Rotor: The Richard Mille RM 35-03 features a new patented butterfly rotor that allows the wearer to fine-tune the winding movement of the rotor to suit their lifestyle. Rotor arm made of grade 5 titanium, flywheel made of metal, mounted in ceramic ball bearings, unidirectionally wound counterclockwise

Richard Mille’s patented butterfly oscillating weight gives the wearer the opportunity to change the geometry of the oscillating weight and control the winding of the movement according to his lifestyle and sports activities.

The butterfly rotor consists of two counterweights made of grade 5 titanium and metal. In the initial position, the counterweights cause the center of gravity to shift radially, thereby generating the torque required to wind the barrel.

Simply pressing the pusher at 7 o’clock activates a separate gear train that moves the two counterweights through 180°. The center of gravity is thus shifted to the centre, which balances the oscillating weight and eliminates its winding force, thus preventing the movement from being over-winded.

Sport mode: Press the button at 7 o’clock, and the butterfly rotor made of grade 5 titanium spreads its wings. Once deployed, the inertia of the oscillating weight changes and the winding process stops, for example during sporting activity. Release the button again, and the oscillating weight can once again perform its full function and wind the movement. The invention makes it possible to optimize the winding mechanism of the movement, if desired.

Automatic watches wind themselves with the movement of the wrist. Richard Mille suggested that too much or too little activity can adversely affect the energy stored in the barrel. Proper power supply to the mainspring barrel is essential to the optimal functioning of the watch.

Free-oscillating balance wheel with variable moment of inertia: this type of balance wheel represents the highest level of innovation. It provides greater reliability in the event of shocks and when mounting and dismounting the movement, resulting in improved long-term accuracy. The regulator hands are eliminated and replaced by four adjustable small weights directly on the balance wheel, allowing for more precise and repeatable adjustments. RM 68-01 REPLICA

Spline screws in grade 5 titanium for bridges and case: this allows for better control of the torque applied to the screws when tightening them. They are unaffected by human intervention when assembled or disassembled and show little sign of aging.

Movement dimensions: 31.25 x 29.45 mm, height: 5.92 mm, 38 jewels. Barrel rod is made of AP-20 steel. Balance: Glucydur®, 2 arms and 4 adjusting screws, moment of inertia 4.8 mg cm2, angle of elevation 53° – Frequency: 28,800 a/h (4 Hz) – elinvar balance spring, INCABLOC shock protection 908.22.211.100 ( transparent)

Movement finishing: Grade 5 titanium wet-blasted plates and gray plasma treatment- Bridges in grade 5 titanium hand-cut, wet-blasted and coated with Titalyt® or PVD®- Hand-polished thread profiles- Rolled lugs Shaft – Pinion steel part with undercut – Screw slots and screws beveled, tips polished and rounded – Striped top ground – Microblasted bottom Wheels – Beaded and diamond cut corners and rhodium plated bevel Corner Wheels (Before Cog Cutting) – Minimal revisions to wheels to maintain geometry and performance. rm011-03