RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur

This timepiece returns to the long tradition of automata in watchmaking, in this case a magnolia blossom whose hand-crafted, hand-coloured petals embrace a flying tourbillon. In passing or on demand, the magnolia opens and closes with rhythmic regularity. Closer observation reveals that Richard Mille has introduced a further degree of refinement. As the flower opens, the entire flying tourbillon and its gem-set stamen rise one millimetre, exactly imitating the upward arch of a flower to increase its chance of pollination. This complex mechanism comprises five levers around the underside of the petals, while another system combined with a long pinion lifts the tourbillon.