What is so special about Richard Mille watches that many billionaires and successful people are fascinated with, possessing a collection worth a fortune?
Founded on technical innovation, art and fine watchmaking culture, Richard Mille (RM) has become one of the dominant names in the watch industry.
Watches of the Swiss brand are worn by many superstars such as actor Jackie Chan, billionaire Jay-Z, fashion designer Pharrell Williams, etc. Even rapper Drake owns a collection worth no less than 170 billion VND. The most expensive of them all is the custom RM-056 Chronograph Tourbillon model, priced at no less than 120 billion VND.
According to Forbes, buying a Richard Mille is the equivalent of “buying a miniature sports car to wear on the wrist”.
Priced “in the sky”, but what about RM watches makes them attractive, desirable wrist accessories for collectors?
Billionaire rapper Jay-Z wears a custom RM 56 watch. Photo: Superwatchman.
Unique design, instantly identifiable
The size and shape of an RM is instantly recognizable, even from a distance. The brand’s products are inspired by automobiles, with their own, colorful aesthetic.
One of the most recognizable things about RM watches is the tonneau-shaped case. It’s a three-tiered style, consisting of front, back and center bezels with curved elements, no flat surfaces.
The dial is designed in a skeleton style (to reveal the movement inside), including a sapphire crystal arrangement and skillfully complicated movements. All are painstakingly hand-finished, which justifies the incredible price tag.
The weight contrasts with the bulky look
When wearing RM’s seemingly bulky tourbillon chronograph, the first thing the experiencer feels is the weight. Weighing just 1.41 ounces (40 grams), it seems to defy physics with its solid build and feather-light feel.
To produce this revolutionary watch and case, Richard Mille worked with the University of Manchester and McLaren-Honda, both known for their research and expertise in lightweight materials.
In 2004, the company released the RM 006 Felipe Massa Tourbillon watch, weighing only 48 grams (not including the strap). A year later, the brand repeated this feat with the RM 009 Felipe Massa Tourbillon, which set a world record at 29 grams (not including the strap).
The record was further broken in 2007, when the brand introduced the RM 027 Rafael Nadal model weighing 20 grams (strap included). The watch features a movement made from titanium and LITAL, a common aviation lithium alloy containing aluminum, copper, magnesium, and zirconium.
Six years later, the hand-wound RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal Tourbillon (limited to 50 pieces), pushes the concept of lightness and resistance to the extreme. This model weighs just 18.83 grams (including strap) and holds the record for the lightest tourbillon ever made thanks to its lithium aluminum movement and carbon nanotube case.
Jackie Chan wears the RM057 Dragon Tourbillon “Jackie Chan”. Photo: Superwatchman.
Goods are scarce
No more than 5,000 pieces of RM are produced per year. For a young brand (RM was founded in 2001), this is a relatively high number. However, demand for watches has always outstripped production. The high hammer prices in the auctions consistently reflect this trend.
The RM52 Tourbillon Skull is an example of a scarcity story. Design number “01” (of 6 models) is a limited edition, made in extremely rare white ceramic and 18K rose gold, especially for the Asian market. It sold for nearly 15.5 billion VND in Hong Kong (China) in the 2019 auction. It is one of the most special and coveted watches of the Swiss brand.
RM 52-01 Green Skull Tourbillon Asia Limited Edition watch. Photo: Christie’s.
A wearable accessory that is suitable even for sports
Nicknamed the “billionaire’s handshake”, the Swiss watchmaker adorns the wrists of many celebrities and athletes.
In 2004, the brand developed a watch model for Brazilian racing driver Felipe Massa. The accessory weighs 43 grams, is resistant to shocks up to 500G.
In 2009, Felipe Massa was involved in an accident during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Felipe Massa was wearing an RM 006 and was driving at nearly 200 km/h. Notably, while the racer suffered a head injury, the watch was still intact.
Racer Felipe Massa wears the RM 006 during the 2004 Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: Revolution Watch.
Besides, the RM 027 Rafael Nadal model designed specifically for the Spaniard has a weight of 20 grams, does not weigh the wrist at all and withstands a force of 10,000 G.
At the 2010 US Open, Rafael Nadal dropped his watch to the ground while celebrating his victory and broke the crystal. The tennis player added that the accessory model only suffered minor damage.
Rafael Nadal wears RM 27-04 watch worth 1 million USD (nearly 23 billion VND). Photo: Robb Report.
According to Luxe Watches, Christie’s
at Blogtuan.info – Source: cafebiz.vn – Read the original article here
