Richard Mille Tourbillon RM003

Technical characteristics

Type

Tourbillon wristwatch

Thickness

14 mm

Jewel count

31

Case material

18K white gold

Complications

One-minute tourbillon, torque indicator, power-reserve, two-time zone

Place recorded

Switzerland

Case dimensions

39 x 48 mm

Movement caliber

RM 003-4

Production start

2003

Case construction

Three-body, tonneau-shaped

Maker / attribution

Richard Mille

Design

Visible features

• Transparent dial with white Arabic numerals • Rubber-coated crown with coaxial push button • V-shaped titanium tourbillon bridge • Tonneau-shaped 18K white gold case

Case and Dial Construction

The watch features a tonneau-shaped case crafted from 18K white gold. The design is notably curved to fit the wrist and is held together by a three-body construction. The bezel is secured using eight special milled titanium screws, while the transparent case back is fixed with four similar titanium screws. The winding crown is coated in rubber and features a coaxial push button, which allows the wearer to select between neutral, winding, and hand-setting modes, a function often compared to gear selection in a vehicle. The dial is transparent, providing a view into the movement architecture. It is accented with white Arabic numerals and outer minute divisions, complemented by luminous 5-minute dot markers. Additional indicators include a concentric 12-hour disc for the second time zone, a sector at 1 o'clock for torque, a winding position indicator at 4 o'clock, and an up-and-down power reserve sector at 11 o'clock. Time is read using skeletonized titanium hands with luminous tips.

Condition and Accompanying Items

The auction description reports the watch is in 'as new' condition for the case, movement, and dial. The components are documented as original, and the timepiece is accompanied by a fitted box and a certificate. The presence of the original Richard Mille buckle in 18K white gold is also confirmed. The grading for this lot indicates that the watch has been well-preserved. Given the complexity of the RM 003 reference, the inclusion of the official certificate and box is noted as part of the lot's presentation, ensuring the provenance and identification of the timepiece for collectors.

Movement and Technical Specifications

The movement is the Caliber RM 003-4, which is constructed primarily from titanium and contains 31 jewels. Several jewels are mounted in gold chatons to enhance the visual presentation of the technical mechanism. The movement utilizes a lateral lever escapement equipped with a one-minute tourbillon regulator featuring a titanium cage and three equidistant polished arms. The monometallic balance includes a ceramic cap jewel intended to reduce friction. The watch is adjusted to heat, cold, and five positions. It also includes a shock absorber and a self-compensating Breguet balance spring. The technical design of the RM 003 series is the result of collaboration with Renaud & Papi, focusing on unconventional material usage, including ceramic and titanium components to manage movement performance and timekeeping stability.

Identification

Reference

RM003

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.