Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Feb 22, 2014

LOT 231

RICHARD MILLE RM038 "TOURBI LLON PROTOTYPE 03 BUBBA WATSON" Richard Mille, RM038 AL MG PROTO 03. Sold on June 1st, 2012. Very fine, unusual and extremely rare, tonneau-shaped and curved, water resistant, magnesium wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, 48 hour power reserve and titanium Richard Mille double folding deployant clasp. Accompanied by a fitted box, warranty, instruction and a set of golf clubs in the bag.

HKD 2,000,000 - 3,000,000

USD 260,000 - 380,000 / CHF 230,000 - 350,000

Sold: HKD 2,534,000

Three-body, magnesium WE 54 alloy with Miarox® treatment, bezel with 8 special milled titanium screws, reinforced case band, transparent case back with 4 special milled titanium screws, rubber-coated winding crown, 2 curved and anti-reflective sapphire crystals. Upper flange with white minute divisions, 5-minute luminous dot markers, titanium skeleton hands with super luminova tips. RM038, skeletonised, tourbillon with curved baseplate and bridges, baseplate, bridges and balance clock made of grade 5 titanium, free sprung balance with variable inertia, fast rotating barrel, barrel pawl with progressive recoil, winding barrel teeth and third-wheel pinion with central involute profile. 19 jewels, balance in Glucydur, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, inertia moment 11.50 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°, frequency: 21,600 vph (3Hz).


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 49.9 x 42.7 mm. THICKNESS 13 mm. The RM 038 is built for individuals who appreciate haute horlogerie, and who require a rare and distinctive timepiece that can withstand extreme conditions without inhibiting athletic performance. The RM 038 is made of a magnesium alloy (Magnesium is one of the lightest metal used for construction) and coated with a Miarox treatment creating an extremely hard scratch and corrosion resistant finish, which also give the RM038 it's unique off-white color. A sapphire crystal covers the front and back, giving a skeleton view of the pristine manual-wound titanium tourbillon movement within. The movement was designed to withstand the extreme G force produced by Watson's swing and the shock from the massive 350+ yard drives. The RM 038 is similar to Nadal's RM027, with a slightly different mechanism tuned to Watson's swing. The RM 038 was produced in a limited edition of 38 pieces and the present watch is a rare prototype with its case numbered "Proto 03"