Richard Mille: true high horology or marketing hype?
Mixed bag depending on price point?
_john
Pretty much what I'd have said
They have a nice, coherent look (even if the new diver series strains that look to the very edge), but there's a break between the time-only/modular chronographs and the high-end magic...
A
The simpler models may offer only the essence . . .
. . . but, shallow creature that I am, the essence would be enough for me ;-) . . .
I'm sure there's some horogical expect
with RM watches but judging by what most have seen with their celebrity endorsements and other makrting angles, I would have to say a lot more marketing hype for me.
Not a good first post for me in this forum eh? 
21st Century Horology
Dave - welcome! Quite an opening question....!
I will go for the true high horology - and here's why.
It is safe to say, with one or two exceptions, that before RM came along on the scene, everyone had the 'Patek' model of high horology in mind. Nice thoughts about watchmakers haunched over their desk, finishing, finishing, finishing the same plate with Geneva strikes, etc.
But then Richard came along and said "It does not have to be like this!" In fact, it can be completely different: new: exciting!
And with RM001/002 he changed the map if what a wrist watch should look like and be like. That is not to say that Richard does not demand an exacting finish, or that his watches are any less engineered than other firms. Just different! Still high horology, but not the tradtional style of finish. The movements are still made by watchmakers, and the finish requrires that not one slip is made (or the plate has to be rejected). Richard's watches push the boundaries and he often thinks counter trend: only to look behind and find a good number of pack hot on his heels! Without Richard, I am sure you would not have seen the influx of new materials (especially carbon and esoteric metals) in the way they have been introduced. And as for the RM018 and the gear train of semi-precious stones, the research and the research budget defy belief!
Richard has also changed the game in marketing, and used Ambassadors for the brand that have to wear the watch while playing/driving, then so much the better for testing the watch. Its not hype: the watch has to perform as required. It is true high horology and high marketing.
An innovator at the highest levels of horology and marketing.
Andrew H
Agreed, Scratch under the hype.
-A watch that changed Horology in years 2000. The RM001 (the prototype of the 002 imho) and 002 and first followers gave an impulse to a frenzy creation in the last ten years, not only at Richard Mille, but RM was the igniter.
-The design of Marc Alfieri is pure bold genius especially looking back 10 years ago.
-A new vision of high horology, the one of competition, making it lighter, preicise and usable in every situation.
Look at the RM001, it is thought in a way of precision with tourbillon, torque indication to be always in the most precise working area , a light construction but yet quite strong. Still some details are missing in the firsts RM001, that the lasts RM001 and RM002 will achieve.
-The complications like 004 and 008 are amazing split seconds presented in a way never seen before.
-"Access watches" do not offer enough?
Think twice, special rotor, titanium plate (RM005), kind of skeletonized (RM010) and the same light construction.
And the RM035 offers a synthesis with a semi skeleton plate directyl linked to the ultra light case and tested to be as precise as possible in every condition (the "essence" of Richard Mille).
They are the only one to do that as far as I know.
-And the most interesting part, the research/competition watch, RM at his best imho
The 006 experimenting the carbon plate, the 009 Alusic, the 012 tubular, the 027 Nadal, The 038 Bubba Watson
That said
I do not admire everything in Richard Mille, too big for my taste, the 011 a modular should not be a possibility in such a watch even if it is a big commercial success, The divers should have been rethought imho, the round and rectangular watch are nice design but lack the aura of the tonneau, lack of "spirit", of "aim".
The list price is imho not realistic, compared to the finish and what others brand offers at the same price.
The marketing can shock the "amateur", but it works and Mr Mille is for sure a marketing genius but not only, there is a coherence in every part of the watch.
Now look at other modern brand with a strong marketing (mainly at lower prices).
What's inside? Most of the time a design not so original and a caliber made by ETA/Valjoux or a modular, some exotic "materials" but are they coherent?
Called with a competition name, still heavy in steal or ceramic and a basic caliber or a strong inspiration of it.
A Richard Mille offers quite more than that.
my 2 subjective cents
cheers
Francois
Thank you!
Thanks for the kind welcome. I am learning a tremendous amount from this site and truly refining my horological knowledge. RM is quickly earning it's way onto my must have list. Keep the great material flowing! Best, Dave.
Entry level price?
What's the entry level price point for RM? Am I correct around 50k USD? Thank you.
:)
Nothing is perfect
My RM10 did indeed have problems but after one visit to the service centre it was sorted. That was some years ago and I am now slowly saving up my pennies for an 11 to replace the vacuum that was created when the 10 was sold a while back.
I would bet that most of the people that have said " hype" ...
have never had an RM on their wrist. I have been fortunate enough to own or wear pieces that are in most circles considered "high horology" and even the " entry level RM's" stand out as the most memorable. The details of the watches are second to none. Granted, the style is not for everyone, but in terms of design, craftmanship, and pure visual appeal, there is no equal. As to the prices, all of the best brands(Patek, AP, Journe, Greubel, Vacheron, etc) have prices on their top pieces that are ridiculous to 99.9% of people. Is it all hype?
For those that think RM is only hype, what, in your opinions is high horology? I am very interested to know.
Best regards
Victor
indeed...
The watch industry is full of hype and marketing, I suppose any high value low volume top end luxury market always is, you have to investigate & make your own mind up if you are happy to pay for such items for what they are worth to you. Lets face it everything RM does is top quality, but you pay a price. Richard himself is obviously extremely well off so his timepieces have large profit margins.
I am a multiple owner, and I love the watches,in my view the 10/11 I like but the real value is in the 002/004. I see these as possibly longterm being sort after many years after I am long gone, I think the more specialist top end RM stuff is longterm good value, the 5/10/11/28 nice timepieces but not particularly collectable.
I also struggle with pieces such as the 27, 500k for a watch...now I know yes its cutting edge, but lets face it when they are only making a run of 30 which I think ot extended to 50, alot of the cost is in the Research & development & tooling etc, and I struggle to see the 27 holding good value longterm.
So I suppose without rattling on in answer to your question, yes there is hype, haute horology needs it & thrives on it, but yes there has to be a fantastic product to be able to sustain the brand in such a market, RM no doubt has the product at many differant levels, and indeed hats off to the man for what he has achieved so far, quite remarkable really
The secondary prices may give some hints?
[Disclaimer: I do not know or am aware of or am not speaking of any specific model, of the price in the pre-owned market of RM models - just giving my idea in general which could be applied to any brand]
Ken