Lot 240
  • 240

Richard Mille

Estimate
250,000 - 500,000 USD
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Description

  • Richard Mille
  • AN IMPRESSIVE PLATINUM TONNEAU FORM TOURBILLON SPLIT SECONDS CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH POWER RESERVE AND TORQUE INDICATIONMVT 13 RM008 AG PT NO 24 CIRCA 2006
  • platinum, cow leather
  • length 48 mm
• cal. RM-008/1 manual winding grade 5 titanium lever movement, 37 jewels, one-minute tourbillon carriage • sapphire crystal dial, Arabic numerals, luminescent dot indexes and pierced hands, subsidiary dials for constant seconds combined with tourbillon carriage and 30-minute register, power reserve indication at 11, torque indicator at 1, function indicator activates through the crown to indicate H (hands), N (neutral), and W (winding), outermost tachometer scale • platinum tonneau form case, bezel secured by 12 screws, split second chronograph pushers to the band, sapphire crystal display back secured by eight screws • case, dial, and movement signed •  with a platinum and titanium Richard Mille double folding clasp

Condition

CASECase in overall good condition with surface wear throughout consistent with occasional wear.The bezel is with superficial surface scratches. Left side of perimeter with some heavier wear. Bezel from 11 to 1 with some wider surface scratches. Upper right corner with wear and a very small nick. Bands with equivalent wear. Some light debris which may benefit from cleaning. The length is approximately 48 mm, the width is approximately 40 mm.DIAL Dial in excellent condition.At 12, appears to be some interior material debris.MOVEMENTSplit second chronograph, tourbillon, power reserve, and torque indication is presently operating. On the dial at 12, appears to be some interior material debris. The watch may require service at the purchaser's discretion. Movement is numbered 13. The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.***Please be advised that the bands on this watch are made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) and thus not sold with the watch, they are for display purposes only. We will remove these bands prior to international shipping.***
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Catalogue Note

Richard Mille's RM008 is arguably the magnum opus of their entire collection, and to this day, one of the most complicated objects ever made. Inspired by Formula 1 racing and composed of over 500 parts, the split second chronograph function is extremely desirable among racing aficionados, as it enables the wearer to simultaneously time two distinct events.

The RM008 movement went through subtle changes in the pursuit of horological precision. Richard Mille intended for the individual pieces of the powerful chronograph movement to move in sync, with consistent and isometric movements to avoid the negative impacts of inertia - specifically the impact of starting and stopping the chronograph function due to the mass of the hands and gears. Small adjustments to the movement combined with new materials and new technologies led to a second version of the RM008, which virtually eliminates the jumping action of the chronograph hands. 

Though changes to the RM008 were minimal, they did widely affect the production run of the model. The present lot, with the movement number 13, represents one of less than 30 RM008 V1 models to the best of our knowledge. With this significant change in production, V1 models are extremely rare dating from 2006 or earlier.