ART OF THE SAMURAI

The watchmaker Richard Mille established his eponymous brand in 1999 and introduced the tonneau-shaped RM 001 two years later. Created with motorsport enthusiasts in mind, the timepiece was reminiscent of a Formula One car in terms of both look and design. Convenient and light, shock-resistant and durable, this trendsetting ticker set a new standard of exclusivity that has influenced subsequent references.

The RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph and the RM 47 Tourbillon are two of Richard Mille’s most famous watches. Released after five years of development, the former is the most technically complex ever to leave the watchmaker’s workshop. The latter (pictured) was a project in association with former Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso, an enthusiastic fan of Japanese traditional arts and samurai principles.

Both were made with the interior in mind as much as the exterior. By seamlessly combining cutting-edge technology with strong artistic elements, Richard Mille creates watches that are as robust as they are wearable. The fact that each piece is finished and assembled by hand is just the icing on the cake.

Richard Mille RM 47 Tourbillon