Richard Mille RM 47 Tourbillon: "The Age of the Samurai" Inspired by the spirit and values of Bushido, the brand has designed a limited edition tourbillon watch.

Richard Mille presents the RM 47 Tourbillon watch, the result of careful thought and almost four years of design work. This is an ingenious new watch, with an extremely compact movement that makes room for stylized samurai armor entirely handcrafted. The watch was born out of a friendly dialogue between Richard Mille and two-time Formula 1 world champion and brand partner Fernando Alonso, a traditional Japanese Enthusiastic lover of art and samurai principles.

This new model transcends creative limits and takes its place in the prestigious collection of the brand's typical "decorated" watches. The samurai armor is entirely hand-carved by engraver Pierre-Alain Lozeron and painted by his wife Valérie Lozeron, showing different aspects of Japanese ancestral culture. Crafted in 3N gold, this armor evokes the spirit of Bushido, the values of the samurai moral code that still prevails in Japanese society, reminiscent of the gold leaf that ancient Japan used to adorn the country's finest shrines and some of its traditional craft works.

Many details refer to the Asano clan, which symbolizes the spirit of Bushido. The 18th-century family lord Asano Etoku, who was also the lord of the 47 ronin, avenged himself and followed him into the underworld. Their Kamon, or clan heraldry – each warrior clan has one – proudly appears on the tourbillon at six o’clock. Representing two crossed falcon feathers, expressing strength in battle and suzerainty, this symbol is also very finely engraved on the winglets of the warrior's helmet.

The crown in Titanium, Carbon TPT® and polished 3N gold features a Japanese maple leaf motif, symbolizing the seasons as well as grace, beauty and the transience of life. Finally, at the bottom, two swords are sheathed with their blades up for quick withdrawal in case of danger.

This decoration is as much a sculpture as a sculpture, requiring patience, delicacy, dexterity and enthusiasm. "Between the sword and the chisel, between the cutting edge of the blade and the cut defined by the precision of the carver's technique, there are many parallels that evoke the quality of these warriors and that required by our artistic craft. Similarities," explains Pierre-Alain Lauzeron. In total, it took no less than 16 hours of sculpting and 9 hours of painting—more than a full day in all—to get the 11 components that make up the Samurai, perfectly integrated around the front and back of the movement. RM 47 Tourbillon.

The armor is like a guardian, providing precious protection for the manual winding movement RM47 hours and minutes. To ensure optimal functionality of the movement, the baseplate and skeletonized bridges are made of grade 5 titanium, a biocompatible alloy commonly used in the aerospace industry, and are treated with black PVD. This combination offers high corrosion resistance, exceptional rigidity and a perfectly flat surface.

The movement, case and decoration of the RM 47 bear witness to a design approach aimed at guaranteeing a harmonious and effective integration of all the different elements. The tonneau-shaped case consists of three parts, including a 3N yellow gold strap with bezel and a black TZP ceramic case back. With its extraordinary aesthetic, the 75 RM 47 Tourbillon watch evokes the spirit and values of bushido, while embodying the unwavering pursuit of perfection and respect for tradition.