Roberto Mancini, partner of Richard Mille and coach of the Italian soccer team, is the one who inspired the RM 11-04 Roberto Mancini Automatic Flyback Chronograph. Born in 2013, the RM 11-01 Roberto Mancini model had emerged from the conversations between the football coach and Richard Mille about a question that every football lover asks when his team plays: How much time is left until the end of the game? Coaches are obsessed with time, because it is a strategic factor.
While the idea of developing a watch that can keep track of halftime, discounts and overtime may seem like an easy task, the reality is that it is a complex design that allows Mancini to manage time on the pitch. The ingenious combination of functions to which the flyback chronograph is added make this piece an essential tool on the court. “As coaches, our duty is to perfectly direct the players and for this it is necessary to manage time. It is one of the factors that can lead to victory or defeat. A game can be turned around in a matter of seconds, hence its great importance, ”says the coach. Inspired by the RM 11-01, the new RM 11-04 model incorporates a new aesthetic: the lines of the crown, the variable geometry rotor and the TPT carbon case with wavy relief. The automatic caliber bears the three colors of the Italian flag and the blue of the Squadra Azzurra, as a tribute to the technician. The bezel, crown, pushers and rubber strap with titanium buckle decorate this timepiece. The RMAC3 caliber is made of grade 5 titanium and has a self-winding movement that guarantees a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. The plate is skeletonized and the bridges are made of grade 5 titanium. This biocompatible alloy made up of 90% grade 5 titanium, 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium is extremely resistant to corrosion and allows the gear train to function effortlessly. This excellent material is used in the aerospace, aeronautical and automobile industries.
The watch has an hour, minutes, seconds, date, months and flyback chronograph with a central minute counter. The chronograph function is specially designed for football matches. The dial indicates the game time that is divided into two 45-minute halves, but the 15-minute discount is also contemplated. The flyback function is activated with the push button located at 4 o’clock, then the hand returns at 12 o’clock and prepares for the second beat. If there is an extension, it can be reactivated so that the clock shows the remaining 15 minutes and if necessary the 5 minutes of discount time. The operation of the chronograph is made possible with the push-button located between 1 and 2 o’clock, while its reset is carried out with the push-button that is between 4 and 5 o’clock. A remarkable detail of the watch is its flywheel variable that translates into better long-term chronometric performance.
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