The RM 030 represents a real progress in terms of performance. It took Richard Mille four years to develop the concept and the design of a rotor that declutches automatically. In this system, the winding barrel is automatically disconnected from the rotor’s winding mechanism as soon as the spring is fully wound. Furthermore, the mechanism is linked to the power reserve indicator to ensure optimal winding control.

The declutchable rotor works as follow: when the power reserve reaches 50 hours, the rotor is declutched automatically thanks to a specially developed gear system. As a result, the rotor is disengaged from winding the barrel. Conversely, when the power reserve decreases to 40 hours, the rotor is automatically clutched and the watch starts the winding phase until the indicator reaches 50 hours. It is possible to check these phases thanks to the rewinding indicator located at 12 o’clock. It keeps the user informed whether the rotor is operating in winding phase (on) or is disengaged (off). Typical of Richard Mille, the declutchable rotor is a major innovation with its conception and miniaturization which represents an extraordinary technical challenge.