As someone who likes to stand firm in dry land, the only things that convince me to sail are the warm tropical waters, jaw-dropping coastline and the promise of a killer party at the end of the day. In a nutshell, it’s the exact same event as Les Voiles de Saint Barth, a five-day regatta taking place around the Caribbean island of Saint Barth from April 17th to 23rd. To celebrate the sporting event (which they helped found in 2010), Richard Mille released a limited edition watch, the RM032 Les Voiles de Saint Barth.
The RM032 is not a new watch, it has been Richard Mille’s dedicated diving chronograph since it was first released in 2011. For the RM032 Les Voiles de Saint Barth Special Edition, it comes in a fresh color palette of Caribbean Blue and Quartz White. In addition, the sapphire caseback now features an engraving commemorating the Regatta.
Other than that, it’s the same watch we’ve been familiar with for over a decade. Large 50mm diameter case, titanium and carbon fiber TPT combination, with thick unidirectional rotating bezel, water-resistant to 300 meters. The dial also features central hours, minutes, chronograph minutes, chronograph seconds, oversized date, month, 12-hour counter and running indicator.
The running indicator is a feature unique to dive watches, and its purpose is to spin quickly so you can tell at a glance that the watch is still running – a function usually done by the seconds hand, but not on the RM032.
Its movement is the RMAC2 automatic movement with a skeletonized aesthetic and variable geometry rotor. Variable geometry is another way of saying that you can adjust the position of the two fins on the rotor to affect how fast the rotor spins so you don’t overwind during vigorous exercise.
The RM032 Les Voiles de Saint Barth is limited to 120 pieces. It’s as fresh as a cocktail on a tropical beach. If you prefer a Richard Mille with a Japanese touch to a Caribbean, check out the RM47 tourbillon.
Model: Richard Mille RM032 Voiles de Saint Barth
Case/Dial: 50mm diameter x 17.8mm height, grade 5 titanium Carbon TPT® for case, lugs, inserts and caseback, skeleton dial with two-tone combination of Caribbean blue and white quartz TPT
Waterproof: 300m (30 bar)
Movement: Calibre RMAC2, automatic winding, 62 jewels
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 45 hours (chronograph running)
Functions: Hours, minutes, flyback chronograph with minute-seconds counter, oversized date, month, 12-hour counter, running indicator
Strap: Caribbean Blue Rubber