The Richard Mille RM 031 High Performance is an ultra-exclusive luxury timepiece limited to just 10 pieces. It features a substantial 50mm case crafted from platinum, characterized by its four-part construction and separate lugs designed to maintain a seamless curve with the strap. The skeletonized dial provides a clear view of the complex manual-winding RM031 calibre, which is housed in an environment filled with argon gas to provide chemical and thermal insulation. The movement utilizes an ARCAP baseplate and gear-train bridges, materials chosen for their extreme rigidity and resistance to corrosion, magnetic fields, and temperature fluctuations.
In terms of complications and technical performance, the RM 031 is engineered for chronometric excellence, utilizing an AP direct-impulse escapement and a high-frequency balance beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. This setup, combined with a double-barrel system for stable torque delivery, allows the watch to achieve an exceptional monthly variation of less than 30 seconds. The movement also features a function indicator at 5 o’clock, allowing the wearer to see the winding, neutral, and hand-setting positions, alongside hours, minutes, and small seconds. The watch provides a power reserve of approximately 50 hours and is water-resistant to 50 meters.
General reviews of the RM 031 highlight it as a pinnacle of precision engineering and a departure from the brand’s more common tonneau-shaped sports watches. Collectors often praise the extreme attention to detail and the rigorous 61-day internal testing protocol required for its “High Performance” certificate. While some critics note the significant 50mm diameter and the heft of the platinum case, the watch is widely regarded as one of the most accurate mechanical timepieces ever developed, serving as a masterclass in combining traditional haute horlogerie with modern material science.