While it became quite common to hear brands leaving Baselworld and complaining about the show (Swatch Group a few weeks ago, Raymond Weil this morning), the Geneva-based, Richemont-controlled Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie – or SIHH – was still in safer waters… As of today, as it’s time for the SIHH to also face non-neglectable departures. […]
Richard Mille and McLaren have been partners for over a year now, even if this partnership was mainly focused on Formula 1 – with, for instance, the creation of the mighty Richard Mille RM 50-03 McLaren F1. Today, at the 88th Geneva International Motor Show, both brands are announcing the extension of this venture to road cars marking the official launch of the first McLaren automotive-inspired timepiece, the new Richard Mille RM 11-03 McLaren Automatic Flyback Chronograph. And here is an early hands-on with it.
McLaren: the winningest (is that a word?) constructor in Formula 1 after Ferrari, the second longest running team in the sport (with a continuous participation since 1966), producer of many memorable cars, host of legendary driver line-ups, and delivering championship contending cars through most of their history. Hitting a dry spell since 2015 though, the team has the resilience to get back on top, although talks of a McLaren-Honda split refuse to go away. As far as their timing partner is concerned though, relations seem much calmer. Richard Mille is a cutting-edge watch manufacturer, using the most advanced technology and exotic materials, and indeed is very similar in many ways to the image of this major F1 team.
Epic… Simple as that. Indeed, this year, the final of the 2017 French Open is a must-see. On one side is the one-and-only Rafael Nadal, who will be fighting this year for the “decima”, meaning his possible 10th victory at Roland-Garros (something that has never been done before). On the other side is Stanislas Wawrinka, winner of the 2015 Edition and one that everybody knows to be quite a competitor. But this Roland-Garros 2017 Final will also see an incredible battle of watches, with Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet challenging for optimal visibility
At the 2017 SIHH in Geneva I particularly liked the Carré des Horlogers, as the SIHH independents’ hall is known, which showcases some of the industry’s finest creative minds producing amazing watches, both traditional and contemporary. So without further ado, here are my SIHH highlights, most of which come from that hall.
This Throwback Thursday we go not as far back in time as we normally would. Instead, we take a closer look at an icon of more recent making, yet an icon it is. We are talking here about the Richard Mille RM 011. Introduced in 2007, it became not only one of the pillars of the brand, but also broke the mold of high-end sports watches. Now almost a decade in existence it is time to look back at some of the most memorable versions of this watch.
Many watch auctions appear to be dominated by notable sales of Rolex and Patek Philippe timepieces. And I’ve nothing against those two lovely brands, but the world of big auctions is becoming ever more monotone. Here are some genuinely exotic, decidedly out-of-the-ordinary timepieces currently on offer at Christie’s Important Watches auction, which takes place in Dubai on March 19, 2017.
Sometimes the world is a wonderful place. Especially when you find yourself in Ay, the center of the Champagne production, at the estate of Deutz, in the company of Richard Mille and Jean-Marc Lallier-Deutz himself.
Richard Mille took a distinct turn towards a more aggressive aesthetic with its SIHH 2017 line-up, particularly with the key launches, the RM 50-03 McLaren F1 and the RM 11-03, characterised by more sharply defined forms and complex details. The result of a tie-up between the McLaren Honda Formula 1 team and Richard Mille, the RM 50-03 McLaren F1 […]
Jean Todt was one of the most prominent people to be seen wearing a Richard Mille, and also one of the first. As like-minded people often do, Mille and Todt formed a close friendship. With Todt celebrating being, 50 years active in the world of motorsports, Richard Mille honors him with a collection of three limited editions.