Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon ‘Lucky Pink’

Golfer Bubba Watson is wearing his newly released 50 pieces limited Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon ‘Lucky Pink’ made from pink and white shock/scratch resistant and extremely light Carbon TPT. This timepiece is the fourth Bubba Watson model made in collaboration with the American brand ambassador.

About the Watch

The daring of the prior calibers prompts the modern RM 38-02. Bubba Watson is based on a Carbon TPT baseplate with multiple layers of parallel carbon filaments. Due to its hardness and the skeletonization to which it is exposed, this material, which is found throughout the RM 38-02, is extremely difficult to machine. The baseplate was subjected to numerous testing to guarantee that its skeletonization did not affect the automatic qualities of the timepiece.

Carbon TPT is used to make the baseplate. Several layers of concurrent filaments formed by splitting carbon threads make up this substance. Carbon TPT pieces with a wall depth of 30 microns are wet with resin and placed onto a unique machine that rotates the fibers between every layer at 45 degrees. The Carbon TPT is produced at Richard Mille’s components facility after being heated to 120 degrees Celsius and exposed to a pressure of six bars. Carbon TPT is well-known for its resilience to microcracks as well as splits.

Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon case band includes Carbon TPT and pink Quartz TPT layers. Similarly, the bezel and case back are comprised of white and pink Quartz TPT. Carbon TPT and Quartz TPT are brand-exclusive watchmaking materials with a distinct look.

Since they are made up of numerous layers of parallel threads generated by separating carbon fibers or silica threads, the extraordinary surface reveals incredibly regular yet completely unique striations. When it comes to Quartz TPT, the silica layers are saturated in a pink matrix produced specifically for Richard Mille and stitched on a customized machine. This machine rotates the weft 45 degrees between pink-tinted and white silica layers or between pink-tinted silica and Carbon TPT layers.

Thanks to the three-part drawn-out case form, the torque-limiting crown does not scrape against the user’s wrist. Two Nitrile O-ring seals guarantee water resistance to 50 meters, and the casing is built with 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws as well as abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel. The white crown attachment has dimples that look like golf balls.

The skeletonized Carbon TPT baseplate is an impressive machining achievement. It was put through a battery of severe tests before being approved as a master element of RM 38-02 in order to maximize its mechanical qualities. The bridges are made of PVD-treated 5-grade titanium, which is a biocompatible, corrosion-resistant, and extremely stiff alloy that allows the gear train to operate smoothly.

The titanium alloy has 90% titanium, 6% aluminum, and 4% vanadium. The material’s mechanical qualities are further enhanced by this blend, which justifies its widespread application in the aerospace, aeronautics, and automobile industries. The bridges, such as the baseplate, were exposed to extensive testing to optimize their resistance features.

Retail price: $980,000.00 USD

Photo: Richard Mille