Richard Mille

Richard Mille Rafael Nadal RM 035 Watch

Chronofiable isn't a term I am familiar with, but allow me to thank Richard Mille for opening up the vault of obscurity once again and educating me. Apparently, when something is Chronofiable certified, is has gone through (and presumably survived) a battery of artificial aging tests - and that is exactly what the new Richard Mille RM 035 seems to have endured.

Following up on the highly popular RM 027 Rafael Nadal watch is this RM 035 Rafael Nadal timepiece. The RM 035 follows suit with its much more costly cousin by having a black case that is made out of an exotic material. This time it is magnesium-aluminum for the 40mm wide by 48mm tall case. Inside is a relatively simple manually wound movement with a lovely skeletonized design. It is also extremely light at just 4.3 grams. According to Richard Mille, it has a new type of free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertial that offers improved movement rate results and durability.

The attractive design is made to be light but less expensive than the $525,000 RM 027. Available soon the RM 035 will retail for $85,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: luxury watch, Richard Mille, RM 035 Rafael Nadal, watch

Richard Mille RM 026 Watch For Women, With Snakes

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Holiday Guides

It is fascinating for me to see how high-tech themed watch maker Richard Mille produces women's jewelry watches using the same watch case styles. While the two manner of watches are seemingly very different, the brand is able to make it work. For 2011, Richard Mille's new ultra high-end women's watch is the RM 026, otherwise known (to me) as the "snakes in a mother f'in half million dollar watch." Ya baby, this is THAT watch.

The idea behind the piece is that the skeletonized tourbillon movement should look like two snakes are moving around in it. The illusion works pretty well. Thankfully the snakes are not too life-like being made out of precious stones (otherwise that might be quite creepy). One snake is done in mostly rubies, while the other in mostly emeralds. Look closely and you'll see scales engraved into the 18k white gold of the snake bodies. On the snakes, as the hour indicators, and all over the case are diamonds. A really neat feature is that sapphire caseback displays a solid onyx place (very hard to find a suitable stone that size). See that little snake tongue? It is done in coral.

The new RM 026 movement has the time, a tourbillon, a seconds indicator on the back of the watch (the celtic style star spins), and a power reserve indicator on the dial (sort of hidden on the side). The tonneau shaped watch case is 39.70mm wide and 45mm tall. Richard Mille will offer the RM 026 in titanium, 18k red gold, or 18k white gold. Priced at $485,000, $505,000, and $510,000 respectively.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Richard Mille RM026 watch

Tags: richard mille, rm 026, snakes, watch, women

Richard Mille RM 028 Americas Limited Edition Dive Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Richard Mille RM 028 Americas Limited Edition Dive Watch

Richard Mille's famous "basic" circa $80,000 dive watch now comes in a limited edition variant for the North American market. The RM 028 is complimented by the RM 025, which is many times more expensive. Special in this limited edition is a DLC black coating application all over the watch case, along with a red trim on the dial and crown. The RM 028 is 47mm wide in an all titanium, and is water resistant to 300 meters. You can read more about the standard RM 028 watch here - where you can learn more technical specifications. The watch contains a Richard Mille automatic movement with the date and a variable geometry movement.

Limited to just 30 pieces, the Richard Mille RM 028 Americas Limited Edition watch will be priced at $82,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: DLC, limited edition, Richard Mille, RM 025, RM025, watch, watches

First American Richard Mille Boutique Store Opens In Beverly Hills

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The last year has seen a venerable onslaught of dedicated high-end watch boutique stores - opening all over the world. These stores are direct competition to the increasingly less popular independent jewelry or watch stores. Brands, in order to promote their high-class image, and fend-off inventory going to the gray market, are building boutiques dedicated to selling products from their brands alone. The next few years will see more and more interesting changes to the landscape as the old and new ways of the watch industry reconcile with one another.

One of the best performing luxury watch brands of the last few years, Richard Mille has opened up its very first US boutique in Beverly Hills. Interestingly enough more and more watch stores are populating Rodeo Drive, as well as the surrounding area. Open across the Westime - likely the most well-known high-end watch store in Los Angeles - the Richard Mille boutique will serve as a new destination for fans of the brands often over-the-top complicated sport watch offerings. The store will also be one of the best placed to go to get the brand's exclusive for US product offerings. There will be no competition with Westime that until now carried Richard Mille watches. That is because Westime's owner is also the US distributor of Richard Mille. Now open, the Richard Mille boutique is located at 222 Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, CA.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: beverly hills, boutique, california, Richard Mille, store, watch

Richard Mille RM017 Tourbillon Extra Flat Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Richard Mille RM017 Tourbillon Extra Flat Watch

I was asked a while ago about the future potential of "ultra thin" tourbillon watches. I said that while I am sure a few would come out here and there, I didn't see it having lots of legs with collectors. That will be tested in 2011 and 2012 and brands begin to offer thinner tourbillon movements based on the "thin watch kick" that we are currently experiencing. It also makes sense because there really aren't too many more places we can go with tourbillons aside from flat. Part of the problem is that tourbillons require a certain amount of room as it is, and making them too flat starts to take away from the visual appeal of them in my opinion. Regardless, Richard Mille is about to release their own "ultra thin" tourbillon. What other case to put it in than their rectangular shaped "Extra-Flat" RM017.

The case is 8.70mm thick, so Richard Mille needed to develop a think tourbillon movement to place inside of it. They did, and the movement uses titanium plates which makes for an interesting look. It manually wound has about 70 hours of power reserve. There is a power reserve indicator on the dial, as well as a "function selector." Rather than pull the crown out, you press it in like a button to selection functions such as "set, wind, etc..." Trust that being Richard Mille, there will be a number of beautifully complex features in the movement that help justify the price.

The watch case itself is 38mm wide and almost 50mm tall. Here it is done in 18k rose gold with titanium. The case is really quite comfortable and comes with a rubber strap. I love the caseback window done in a tonneau shape to recall the case shape of most of Richard Mille's other timepieces. The RM017 Tourbillon Extra Flat will be limited to 50 pieces and available sometime next year.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: flat, richard mille, rm017, thin, tourbillon, watch

Richard Mille RM 016 Orange & Yellow Limited Edition Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The Americas (US, Canada, and some territory in the ocean) are getting a new limited edition Richard Mille watch in two colors. Based on the standard RM 016 model, this limited edition RM 015 DLC Titanium is done in a 38mm wide titanium case that has been DLC coated. There will be 15 models with the orange dial, and 15 models with the yellow dial.

The RM 016 is actually one of my favorite timepieces that Richard Mille offers. It is simple (in the context of Richard Mille watches), rectangular and quite thin (under 9mm). the edges of the case on the top and bottom are curved for comfort, and the dial is a mixture of "easy to read' and the popular skeletonized Richard Mille aesthetic. The movement is an automatic, and offers the time and the date with 55 hours of power reserve. The bolts of the case has a high-tech feel to the watch, and the design of the movement is quite impressive.

With a DLC coated titanium case the watch is gonna be light and quite scratch resistant. I would probably opt for a yellow dial in this watch. Price for each of the watches in this total of 30 piece set is $65,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: limited edition, orange, richard mille, rm 016, rm016, watch, yellow

Richard Mille RM011 Ti USA Brown Watch For Fall

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Limited to 30 pieces, and only for the US and South American market, this brown version of the Richard Mille RM011 Ti is perfect for the fall season. I like the woodsy metallic brown PVD tone on the titanium case, and pumpkin pie colored rubber strap. Makes me want to spice it with cinnamon and serve it for Thanksgiving. The orange and brown tones here work together nicely. Don't forget, this is a serious luxury sports watch - so it ain't no turkey.

The watch is 40mm wide and 50mm tall. The RM 0111 movement is an automatic and has a flyback chronograph with synched 60 minute countdown timer, big date indicator (annual calendar), and an automatic rotor that can be adjusted for your lifestyle (more or less active). The movement has a power reserve of 55 hours - and more or less makes up the dial of the watch. As always, the face of this Richard Mille watch is pretty darn cool.

Each of the 30 limited edition Richard Mille RM 011 Ti Brown watches will retail for $95,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: brown, orange, richard mille, rm 011, titanium, watch, watches

Richard Mille RM 011 DLC Titanium Orange Limited Edition Watch For America

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Richard Mille sometimes offers special limited edition watches that are available only in North American markets. This is in addition to their other standard world-wide available limited edition watches. Given the complexity and expense of creating too many new models, Richard Mille breathes maximum life out of their impressive luxury watch models by adding color variations in limited quantities. This time the RM 011 watch is given a black DLC coated titanium case with orange trim in the dial and a rubber ring around the crown. The RM 011 watch in its iconic Richard Mille tonneau case has a skeletonized movement with the time, 12 hour chronograph, 60 minute countdown timer, and annual calendar with month and date. The watch is 40mm wide and 50mm tall.

The RM 011 DLC Titanium Orange will be limited to just 30 pieces. It is cool, but is it cool enough? No doubt Richard Mille will find 30 buyers, but just a few months ago they released an almost identical watch but with white instead of orange trim with the Richard Mille Ti Americas White Limited Edition watch. If you are interested in the piece, don't just get it because it is a limited edition - but rather because you like the colors more than other RM 011 watch. Price is $90,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: dlc, limited edition, orange, richard mille, rm 011, rm011, titanium, watch

Richard Mille RM027 Rafael Nadal Watch Is Ultra Light Weight

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Richard Mille excites us with another ultra-expensive timepiece with an interesting bragging point. This complex tourbillon mechanical watch weighs just 20 grams (with the strap). An incredibly light timepieces, which boggles the mind given its complex movement (which itself weights just 3.83 grams). Amazing! Probably the lighted luxury watch of its type ever. Adding to the the wow factor is the intended durability of the watch. The piece marks the official partnership between Richard Mille and tennis player Rafael Nadal - who will actually wear the watch during his tennis matches. Watch lovers understand that this last point is bound to raise questions. An ultra light weight watch, with a tourbillon, made to survive the abusive stress of a wrist while playing professional tennis? Yes.

A few years ago Tag Heuer was proud of its special golf watch for Tiger Woods, made to be worn (and be comfortable) while playing golf. This new announcement by Richard Mille makes the prior Tag Heuer watch seem almost irrelevant. Though there is a price. The RM027 Tourbillon watch will cost a whopping $525,000 and be limited to just 50 pieces. So what makes it so light and durable?

The answer is all in the materials. The case itself is 48mm by 39.7mm in size, and just 11.85mm thick. It is made from a composite of mostly carbon. Richard Mille isn't clear on the crystal, but it is probably something other than sapphire, and is said to have a high degree of durability and flexibility. The watch strap is a flexible polycarbonate. All the magic is in the movement. It is a manually wound caliber RM 027 with a tourbillon and 48 hours of power reserve. It is with a titanium baseplate, and bridges made from something called aluminum lithium (LITAL). The exotic metal alloy is extremely light and used for some high-profile industrial or aeronautical uses. By using interesting materials that are light and strong, Richard Mille has succeeded in developing arguably one of the most important luxury sport watches ever. With its ultra light weight and durability, Richard Mille should continue to be looked at as a maker of "useful" luxury watches for the highly privileged watch lover.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: lightest, Rafael Nadal, Richard Mille, RM 027, RM027, tourbillon, watch, weight

Richard Mille RM011 Felipe Massa Watch Hands-On

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Richard Mille was attending SIHH for the first time last month and I was there to check out their wares. One of their most popular models is the RM011 Felipe Massa line of watches. The Brazilian race car driver's name is attached to the watch because he actually wears the timepiece (and likely other Richard Mille watches) most all the time. He even had a serious wreck while wearing a Richard Mille watch. He, and the watch, walked away fine though. Above is an image of the gold version of this watch and in the gallery you can see be modeling the titanium version with a chic white rubber strap.

The watch isn't quite as large as its grand appearance would have you believe. Still it is not a small watch and is best for suitably sized wrists as the piece itself is rather long. The curved tonneau-shaped case is designed with the utmost attention to detail with a fine finishing that feels more like a precision tool than jewelry (and this is part of the point). The RM011 automatic movement features a big date and flyback chronograph. The movement has been designed to serve as the dial of the watch, and looks helplessly cool in the process. On the back of the watch you can see the exposed automatic rotor through the sapphire crystal in a style that only Richard Mille has been able to achieve.

This super hot brand is making strides by proving that people are still interested in very high quality, very expensive sport watches, The brand often likes to show case the interesting technologies and materials that they use. At closer to $100,000 in price, these are for the most serious watch consumers. Also I predict that watches like this have a more than ephemeral appeal, and will be popular items in the auction houses in years to come.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Richard Mille RM011 watches

Tags: 2010, chronograph, Felipe Massa, FelipeMassa, gold, Richard Mille, RichardMille, RM 011, RM011, SIHH, titanium, watch

Richard Mille RM022 Aerodyne Tourbillon Dual Time Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The newest dual time watch from Richard Mille applies some rather exotic materials to the component mix, further making Richard Mille watches standout as those who enjoy fascinating mechanical features as well as fascinating construction. Actually, as far as Richard Mille watches go, the RM022 Aerodyne Tourbillon Dual Time watch is pretty "simple." This, the watch has an impressive level of complications that are meant to keep your eyes busy on the dial.

As a watch, the RM022 tells the time as well as a second time zone. The second timepiece is displayed on a transparent ring that travels around the main dial. The hour here being indicated on that part of the ring over the white colored segment. That is it for telling the time. However, the Aerodyne Tourbillon doesn't stop there. Of course there is the tourbillon escapement complication located under the cage at 6 o'clock, a function indicator on the dial (you press a button in the crown to select its function rather than pulling the crown out), a power reserve indicator for the 70 hours of power reserve in the RM022 manually wound movement, as well as a torque indicator for the movement. Does that watch need all this? No, but it certainly distinguishes the luxury sport watch buying experience with Richard Mille.

Materially speaking the 39.7mm wide by 48mm tall case is in either titanium or 18k red gold (would look nice in either material). The front and rear of the watch contain an interesting alloy known as Orthorhombic titanium aluminides. This metal creates the honeycomb pattern that you see and is utterly spage-age in origin. Beyond looking cool and sounding like a necessary part of a growning space shuttle's diet, it is only there to delight your senses.You don't have to love the watch via first glance, but once you get a chance to handle Richard Mille watches in person, you'll realize they are a different type of luxury item.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: aerodyne, dual, richard mille, RichardMille, rm 022, rm022, tourbillon, watch

Richard Mille RM 019 Tourbillon Voted As Asia's Best Women's Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

You may find it odd that this Richard Mille RM 019 Tourbillon timepiece was recently voted as the 2009's best women's watch in Singapore. Not that the watch isn't nice in theory, but it isn't very practical (or at all practical), nor is it very feminine looking aside from the diamond studded Celtic knot design on the dial and the lovely gleaming onyx movement plate. So while I agree that the watch is cool and probably fun to wear, I would hardly consider it as the best women's watch. But the vote does represent how watch crazy Singaporeans feel, out where the Asia Edition of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève was held this year.

This is not the first time that a Richard Mille watch has been awarded by Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, and I must admit that the watches are quite impressive in person. Still, it is a shame that many more mainstream appeal women's watches got shafted by a watch that I would predict most women wouldn't choose to wear very often or at all.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Tags: asia edition, AsiaEdition, Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Genve, GrandPrixDhorlogerieDeGenve, richard mille, RichardMille, rm 019, Rm019, singapore, tourbillon, watch

Richard Mille RM 008-V2 Felipe Massa Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Here is a high luxury-Swiss watch company making a nod to Brazil and Formula 1 racing. Actually the entire Richard Mille brand is basically a nod to auto racing with the technically inspired looks - though I don't think Formula 1 cars proportionally have that much gold. This RM 008-V2 watch is undeniably Richard Mille in form, but with colors matching the Brazilian flag. The reason for this colorful flair is the watch's connection with Brazilian Formula 1 racer Felipe Massa. There are actually two Felipe Massa limited edition Richard Mille watches, but this is the more complex of the two. The alternative model (limited to 40 pieces) is the RM 004-V2. The difference is that the pictured RM 008-V2 has a tourbillon based manually wound movement, while the other model does not. Both watches have a split-second 30 minute chronograph, the time with subsidiary seconds, a power reserve indicator, a torque level indicator, and function selection indicator. All functions are understandable when you look more or less straight down at the watch as the dials are applied to the rear of the sapphire crystal.

The hefty case is done in either 18k red or white gold, with just 5 pieces each. That is a total of 10 watches for the RM 008-V2 watch line. Style is typical to Richard Mille which is hard to hate, but probably just as hard to live with full-time. It is classy, manly, and fun, while being luxurious. Though I think it would give me a headache like too much good wine if I wore it long enough. Prices will make your head spin faster than Felipe Massa needs to circle the track a single time.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: felipe massa, FelipeMassa, formula 1, Formula1, limited edition, LimitedEdition, richard mille, RichardMille, RM 004-V2, RM 008-V2, Rm004-v2, Rm008-v2, watch

Richard Mille RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph Diver's Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Popular ultra high-end watch maker Richard Mille tackles the seas instead of the track with the new RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph Diver's watch. With impeccable engineering prowess, the RM 025 movement-based watch is almost too good to be submerged underwater although it satisfies every diving watch requirement with an extremely sturdy rotating bezel and 300 meter water resistant case that involves a complex case sealing process using hand tightened torque screws. Chronograph pushers on the left of the case are gasket sealed, and the crown, instead of being pulled out to operate, features a central push bottom to switch between its three functions; "H" (to adjust the hands), "N' (neutral time display mode), and "W" (to use the crown for winding).

Despite its intriguing technical design and large 50mm width, the watch's main draw are the mechanical features inside. Richard Mille has been able to combine a titanium column wheel based chronograph with a tourbillon. The specially designed barrel offers 70 hours of power reserve (with a power reserve indicator) in a single main spring barrel unit. Precision enhancing additions such a variable inertia balance wheel, torque indicator dial, and fast rotating main spring barrel provide a vastly increased level of precision and energy use efficiency over similar models - in addition to allowing for greater involvement and understanding of the movement operation by the wearer.

Case construction is a customizable mix of 18k red gold, white gold, and titanium. The Richard Mille designed rubber strap features a secure locking deployment for wearing comfort and security. As is the case in all Richard Mille watches, the RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph Diver has no specific dial plate. Subdials and hour indexes are reverse applied to the sapphire crystal allowing a direct view into the movement. The Tourbillon Chronograph Diver is a remarkable little machine, best suited for the dedicated horological enthusiast who is able to appreciate its many unparalleled features and technical prowess. Price will easily exceed $100,000 (by a lot).

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: divers watch, DiversWatch, luxury divers watch, LuxuryDiversWatch, richard mille, richard mille rm025, RichardMille, RichardMilleRm025, rm 025 movement, rm025, Rm025Movement, tourbillon, watch, watches

Richard Mille for Boucheron Watch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the House of Boucheron jewelers, the company has commissioned a variety of special commemorators of the occasion. To start with, they have opened a new store on the rue du Rhone in Paris to showcase the firm's famous designs.

The company has also created unique objects in collaboration with international brand names such as Vertu, jewelry designer Harumi Klossowska, la Maison du chocolat and Richard Mille. From Mille comes the Hommage à Boucheron RM 018 timepiece, in which the gear-train of the movement is manufactured from precious and semi-precious stones. The tourbillon watch has a case and movement produced by Richard Mille and features the precious and semi-precious stones selected and elaborated by Boucheron. The 18K white gold watch is limited to 30 pieces and each piece will have a different combination of stones.

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Tags: richard mille, RichardMille, timepiece, tourbillon, watch, wristwatch