Richard Mille RM 033 Watch

Richard Mille joins the thin watch craze in 2011 with their 6.30mm thick "Extra Flat Automatic" RM 033 watch. For the complexity of a Richard Mille watch case 6.30mm thick is pretty darn good. The brand makes sure to maintain as much of the signature look as possible in the design of the case - and they also made it round. The hour numeral style is not new, but taken from the Richard Mille RM 017 Tourbillon (that actually was finally released this year).For the RM 033 (RM033), Richard Mille makes the hour numerals bolder, but kept the interesting ellipses shape in the center of the dial. This is about as formal and "elegant" as Richard Mille watch comes these days. I do quite like the dial, but wish the hands were a bit bigger or easier to see. To me, the shape of the hands seems to just go a bit oddly with almost art deco style Roman numerals. The rest of the dial is basically the top part of the movement. Around the numerals are lume dots, and there is more lume on the hands.I love the size (and width) of the case at 45.70mm. Like I keep saying, the best thin watches are wide watches. The case is light and done in titanium with typical Richard Mille "spline" screws. Like I said, it was an impressive task to retain the iconic Richard Mille case architecture while trying to flatten it. Even the sides of the case have that nice inset look I have come to appreciate the the finely cut titanium on Richard Mille timepieces. In addition to the shown titanium version, the RM 033 will also be available in 18k red gold or 18k white gold.The movement in the watch is all new. It is the RM033 automatic with a solid platinum micro-rotor. Having a micro-rotor is pretty much a necessity for all thin watches, and platinum is used for the weight, not just for weird bragging rights. While the watch doesn't have a dedicated power reserve indicator, the movement is skeletonized, which includes the mainspring barrel.?? If you take off the watch, you can see the spring in the barrel and get a gauge on how tightly wound it is. Richard Mille says the movement has a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement itself is just 2.60mm thick - which is quite impressive given all the styling that went into it. The movement is made primarily of titanium with some steel.While Richard Mille considers the watch to be a "formal piece," it still has a lot of the sportiness we have come to love from the uber-luxury brand. On the wrist the watch feels light and solid - like most of their pieces. While it comes on a rubber strap, people are regularly know to switch out the straps with custom jobs. Richard Mille himself is especially known for this. I wonder what other straps options would look good on this watch? Price for it is rather high... but that is to be expect from Mr. Mille. In titanium the RM 033 is $70,000, $85,000 in red gold, and $90,000 in white gold. So get one right away!TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE RICHARD MILLE EXTRA FLAT AUTOMATIC RM 033CALIBER RMXP1: Skeletonized automatic winding movement with hours, minutes and monoblock platinum rotorDiameter: 45.70 mm x 6.30 mm.MAIN FEATURES (MANY OF WHICH ARE MAJOR TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS)FREE SPRUNG BALANCE WITH VARIABLE INERTIAThis type of balance wheel represents the ultimate in innovation. It  guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during  movement assembly and disassembly. Hence better chronometric results  over time.The regulator index is eliminated and a more accurate and repeatable  adjustment is possible thanks to 4 adjustable small weights located  directly on the balance.MONOBLOCK MICRO ROTORAfter the rotor with variable geometry that contributed to the success  of Richard Mille’s automatic calibres, a new winding device is  introduced in the RM033. By using a platinum, decentrally positioned  micro rotor, the barrel can be efficiently wound and an extra flat  skeletonzied movement can be achieved.POWER RESERVE: 42 hoursBOTTOM PLATE, BRIDGES AND BALANCE COCK MADE OF TITANIUMThe baseplate and the skeletonized bridges were first subjected to  separate and extensive validation tests to insure optimal strength  requirements before manufacturing.