Confucius Days
Nicolette Wong traces Richard Mille’s footprints in the Asian continent
t is not hard to spot a Richard Mille—its tonneaushaped timepieces are typified by their extravagant aesthetics and complicated constructions, and are not meant for the faint of heart (or of pocket). The brand’s striking wristwatches have unsurprisingly found a devoted audience in the Asian continent, which has a distinctly adventurous appetite when it comes to horology. Richard Mille has also spared no expense in fanning the flames of fervour, creating Asia-exclusive watches, partnering with big-name celebrities, and opening an impressive 12 mono-brand boutiques throughout the continent. It is presence, in this case, that makes the heart grow fonder. Richard Mille Asia currently operates three boutiques here in Singapore, two in Hong Kong, and one each in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Macau, South Korea and Taiwan. For adherents to the cult of Richard Mille, stepping into the new Taipei boutique—the largest in the world at 261sqm—is almost a religious experience. A 1.5 tonne sculpture of the classic RM 033 timepiece dominates the space, which is rendered starkly in translucent glass and glossy black panelling. A floor-to-ceiling wine cellar houses some 200 vintages, next to 100 varieties each of teas and cigars. Forty-five showcases display the brand’s watches as if they were precious pieces of art—which they are. The boutique itself also seems to make a commentary on the brand’s position in the watch industry. It is housed in the ornate premises of the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei on Dunhua Road, whose stone arches and stucco-dressed walls contrast greatly against the modernity that awaits past the Roman columns of the Richard Mille doorway. However great the boutique, it means nothing if nobody is curious enough to step into the parlour. To that end, Richard Mille has employed the use of star power to pull