Home

10 Iconic Watches by Richard Mille

Adorning the wrists of sports titans Rafael Nadal and Lewis Hamilton, to cultural luminaries Michelle Yeoh and Pharrell Williams, these timepieces stand as the definitive expression of mechanical artistry.

Posted on
The RM 007 in white gold set with baguette-cut rubies and black and white diamonds. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

With its famed sapphire case and unmatched transparency, Richard Mille has established itself as a brand of innovation and exclusivity. Since 2001, the Swiss brand has produced fewer than 70,000 timepieces, crafting watches in extraordinary materials like carbon fiber, titanium, and sapphire crystal that push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. 

What sets Richard Mille apart, however, is its revolutionary approach to design. Rather than concealing the intricate mechanical workings, these watches boldly display their complex movements through transparent cases, creating a visual that has redefined the industry. Discover the remarkable journey of Richard Mille's exceptional watches and how the brand transformed into one of the most coveted names in haute horlogerie.

The RM 74-02 SELF-WINDING TOURBILLON. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 74-02 Self-Winding Tourbillon

The RM 74-02 features Mille's in-house CRMT5 automatic tourbillon caliber from their Swiss factory. Distinguished by its Carbon TPT and gold construction—a combination exclusive to Mille—this hyper-skeletonized timepiece showcases red and yellow gold components with a prominent 6 o'clock tourbillon.

The RM 52-01 “SKULL” MANUAL-WIND TOURBILLON WITH BROWN SAPPHIRE-CRYSTAL CASE, PIÉCE UNIQUE. Photo By © Antiquorum.

RM 52-01 "Skull" Manual-Wind Tourbillon with Brown Sapphire-Crystal Case, Pièce Unique

Debuting in 2012 with the RM 052, the "Skull" tourbillon literally embodies the skeleton watch concept with its death's head-shaped mechanism. A collector favorite commanding extraordinary auction prices, the 2019 "Vanitas Vanitatum" variant—a unique piece with a brown sapphire crystal case requiring over forty days of milling—set a record at €6.75 million through Antiquorum Monaco in 2022.

The RM 57-03 “SAPPHIRE DRAGON” TOURBILLON. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 57-03 "Sapphire Dragon" Tourbillon

Released in 2019 as a fifty-five-piece edition, this watch showcases a spectacular sapphire-carved dragon by Geneva master engraver Olivier Vaucher. Using pioneering techniques, artisans highlighted sapphire's crystalline properties while creating intricate texture and relief, enhanced with pink gold elements and hand-painted details on the head, paws, and tail.

The RM 27-04 “RAFAEL NADAL” MANUAL-WIND TOURBILLON. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 27-04 "Rafael Nadal" Manual-Wind Tourbillon

Commemorating a decade of Richard Mille's partnership with Rafael Nadal, the RM 27-04 mimics tennis racket stringing with its movement suspended by 0.27mm braided steel cables. Weighing just 30 grams with strap, the tourbillon withstands over 12,000 g's of acceleration. The TitaCarb titanium-carbon case houses this engineering marvel, limited to fifty pieces—one sold for CHF 1.66 million at Phillips Geneva in 2021.

The RM 16-02 SELF-WINDING. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 16-02 Extra-Flat Self-Winding

Among Mille's rare rectangular watches, the RM 16-02 offers simple hours-and-minutes display. This automatic model's CRMA9 caliber creates a mesmerizing skeletal labyrinth within its grade-5 titanium baseplate and bridges. The Quartz TPT case in terracotta introduces a new color to Mille's palette.

The RM 011 “FELIPE MASSA” SELF-WINDING ANNUAL CALENDAR FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 011 "Felipe Massa" Self-Winding Annual Calendar Flyback Chronograph

The 2007 RM 011, a collector favorite with numerous special editions, features the RMAC1 automatic caliber with variable-geometry rotor that adjusts winding speed to wearer activity. This flyback chronograph includes an annual calendar with oversize date at 12 o'clock. Its signature tonneau design and innovative materials—titanium, Carbon TPT, ceramic, and red gold—give it unmatched appeal among Mille's seminal pieces.

The RM 018 “BOUCHERON” MANUAL-WIND TOURBILLON, PIÈCE UNIQUE. Image by © Harald Gottschalk.

RM 018 "Boucheron" Manual-Wind Tourbillon, Piéce Unique

Created with Boucheron for the jeweler's 150th anniversary, this watch was limited to thirty one-of-a-kind pieces. Each fluted white gold case houses a caliber featuring decorative stones like tiger's-eye, jasper, and onyx.

The RM 11-01 “ROBERTO MANCINI” SELF-WINDING ANNUAL CALENDAR FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 11-01 "Roberto Mancini" Self-Winding Annual Calendar Flyback Chronograph

Italian football manager Roberto Mancini wanted a watch displaying game-specific timing, but none existed until Richard Mille created the RM 11-01 in 2013. This flyback chronograph shows halves (up to 45 minutes), stoppage time (up to 15 minutes), and extra time (up to 5 minutes), plus an annual calendar.

The RM 38-02 “BUBBA WATSON” MANUAL-WIND TOURBILLON. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 38-02 "Bubba Watson" Manual-Wind Tourbillon

The RM 38-02, the third Richard Mille tourbillon for golfer Bubba Watson, launched in 2022 as a fifty-piece limited edition. Its case combines Carbon TPT and white Quartz TPT with pink Quartz TPT accents (Watson's lucky color). The manual-wind movement features grade-5 titanium bridges engineered to handle golf swing forces, withstanding shock up to 10,000 g's.

The RM 56-02 MANUAL-WIND TOURBILLON WITH SAPPHIRE CASE. Courtesy of Richard Mille.

RM 56-02 Manual-Wind Tourbillon with Sapphire Case

One of Richard Mille's most spectacular watches, the RM 56-02 launched in 2014 with a cable-suspended movement inspired by the "Rafael Nadal" RM 27-01, but offering maximum visibility. The tourbillon caliber appears to float thanks to a miniature braided steel cable running through ten pulleys that suspend the baseplate, with tension controlled by an indicator at 12 o'clock. Limited to ten pieces, one sold for $3 million at Christie's New York in 2024.

Elements of this story are taken from Richard Mille: The Impossible Collection by Fabienne Reybaud.

The World of Richard Mille
Best Seller
The Ultimate Collection Richard Mille: The Impossible Collection
$1,400 USD

More from Culture Lounge

Lifestyle

Step Inside The Beating Pulse Of Rolex

Learn about the craftsmanship, precision, and autonomy of the Swiss brand.
Lifestyle

10 Unforgettable Moments of Formula One

Count the milestones that lifted F1 from a gentlemen’s club to the world's favorite motorsport.

Lifestyle

10 Collectible Bottles of Whiskey

From the Scottish Highlands to Kentucky’s finest Bourbon.