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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Tourbillon wristwatch

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM003

Partially verified

This Richard Mille Tourbillon RM003 is a gentleman's wristwatch featuring a tonneau-shaped, curved 18K white gold case measuring 39 x 48 mm with a thickness of 14 mm. The case is constructed in three parts, secured by eight special milled titanium screws on the bezel and four on the transparent case back. The watch is powered by a titanium manual-wind movement, Caliber RM 003-4, which includes a one-minute tourbillon regulator, a power-reserve indicator, a torque indicator, and a secondary time-zone function. The dial is transparent with white Arabic numerals and skeletonized titanium hands. The winding crown incorporates a coaxial push button to select between neutral, winding, or hand-setting positions. The watch is accompanied by an 18K white gold Richard Mille buckle, a fitted box, and a certificate. Its production commenced in 2003.

Front view of the Richard Mille Tourbillon RM003 with an inset showing the transparent case back.
Front view of the Richard Mille Tourbillon RM003 with an inset showing the transparent case back. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Tourbillon wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Richard Mille
Reference
RM003
Catalogue / lot identifier
310
Source-reported date
circa 2003
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Three-body, solid, bezel with 8 special milled titanium screws, reinforced case band, transparent case back with 4 special milled titanium screws”
  • “D. Transparent with white Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions with 5-minute luminous dot markers, concentric 12-hour disc for the second timezone function”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. RM 003-4, titanium, 31 jewels, some in gold chatons, lateral lever escapement with one-minute tourbillon regulator”
  • “monometallic balance with ceramic cap jewel, adjusted to heat, cold and 5 positions, shockabsorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring.”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “Grading System Grade: Case: 1 As new Movement: 1 As new Dial: 1-01 As new”
  • “Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.”
  • “18K white gold Richard Mille buckle.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific serial number for this production unit?
  • How many total units of the RM003 reference were manufactured in 18K white gold?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Richard Mille Tourbillon RM003
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material18K white gold“18K white gold gentleman's wristwatch”
Movement caliberRM 003-4“M. Cal. RM 003-4”
Case dimensions39 x 48 mm“Dim. 39 x 48 mm”
Thickness14 mm“Thickness 14 mm”
Jewel count31“31 jewels”
ComplicationsOne-minute tourbillon, torque indicator, power-reserve, two-time zone“with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, torque indicator, power-reserve”
Case constructionThree-body, tonneau-shaped“C. Three-body, solid, bezel with 8 special milled titanium screws”
Production start2003“Production of this reference started in 2003.”

Visible details

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

Research qualifications

  • The specific serial number is not provided in the source description.
  • The exact production year of this specific unit is not stated, only the series start date.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

'Tourbillon RM003' Richard Mille, 'Tourbillon RM003'. Production of this reference started in 2003. Very fine, rare and very unusual, tonneau-shaped and curved, two-time zone, 18K white gold gentleman's wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, torque indicator, power-reserve and an 18K white gold Richard Mille buckle. Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f21fda272c

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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