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WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Richard Mille

 
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Comments:

Receding soul.....

 
 By: tom3 : November 9th, 2011-02:57
Without wishing to speak negatively of various brands, it does amaze me how so many watch companies today, be them old school or modern, seem to pay little attention to the 'character' of a watch. For me the majority of watches manufactured today just look like cad animations plonked straight from screen to wrist. 

In part, this is because now 'designers' are generic and not item specific which inevitably leads to new offerings being 'soulless' . This coupled with the fact that many of the now established brands have long since sold out to one luxury group or another, who naturally have no real horological culture or lengthy history to speak of, are perhaps the two main reasons as to why watches today suffer from receding soul.

One could also argue that it's far harder for contemporary brands to inject soul or 'character' into their offerings, as this is normally associated with the more old school brands. You know, the type of brands you associate old oak panelled libraries and such like! This however is not so as actually, many of the 'musky wood panelled watches' have indeed lost their va-va-va-voom if you ask me.

So, how is it that Richard Mille seem to have come up with an uber contemporary design yet with all the soul from 'ye days of ole'? One might say that it's Richard himself that injects this but I'm not so sure as he's not exactly steeped in horological history. 

What ever the answer, for me the best example is the RM27 which boasts the greatest contrast between contemporary ground breaking design, with it's ultra light toubillon mouvment built upon shock absorbers, to its old school throw back use of a plastic glass. These two contrasting characteristics, when blended together as perfectly as RM seem to now manage, will pass that infamous test of a watches character every time. Be it a vintage Rolex Bubble-back, a 1930s Jaeger Reverso or even a Richard Mille. Does it make you smile?

I quite agree ...

 
 By: Mark in Paris : November 9th, 2011-06:36

Personally, I like contemporary styles and I'm quite open-minded about design choices, liking classics and in the same time many of the UFOs poping here and there since  less than 2 decades.

Nevertheless, I would maybe like to add, for the defense of the more classic brands, that, from my experience on forums, modern products (in design or in technical architecture) are often hurting watch lovers' taste as many are very conservative . I am sometime surprised how people can be reluctant to choices that hurt usual standards. It's not only a question of taste, but also an active will to discover somethnig completely new.

Thus, I would say that more classic brands' choices have to cope with that and hence can't always decide to integrate more "corruptive" touch in their collections. Some watch lovers can get quickly fed up with too strong 'character' watches, and thus chose something they will keep longer.

About whether a RM wil remain a strong classic in the future or not, aesthetically speaking, I don't know but I would also say yes. As these products have a very strong personality, they will evolve ... maybe as cars do. But for sure they have succeeded in establishing there line in the watch industry (and the technical aspect too of course).

Best,

Mark

This message has been edited by Boréale on 2011-11-09 06:40:00

hmmmm, don't think you're quite catching...

 
 By: tom3 : November 9th, 2011-12:06
my drift but thanks for the reply.

Great post Tom - and I have to agree...

 
 By: 219 : November 9th, 2011-13:09

I have been in the room on a number of occasions when journalists, collectors, or enthusiasts have seen and held the RM027 for the first time.  I see the look on the face, and then the smile.  A smile that begins with a grin and before you know it, from ear to ear.

My review on wearing the RM027 for the first time: it does make you smile!

richardmille.watchprosite.com

Richard has always had a knack/talent of producing watches with soul and passion.  It is a true measure of his genius that within the confines of the tonneau shaped case, he has produced winner after winner, using different materials and movement design.  Each one considered a masterpiece and desirable.

Too many committees; not enough individual genius that shines.  There are a few here and there and we know their work well.  Richard stands out even in such company.

Thanks for the post

Andrew H

Well I for one can say that RM watches are the only brand that's makes me feel real good

 
 By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : November 9th, 2011-14:23
And constantly smile and feel real cool
I've owned lots of brands APs,PPs and the likes but none have left me feeling the same way as do RM

I too believe that RM is the new classic of the modern watch and definetly NOT soulless and quit the opposite
It has all the soul and spirit of its creator which is then transitioned to you when you do wear one

RICHARD is a great person to meet and be with
A true spirit that is pure and energetic which he reflects through his watches

That's why I remain loyel to him and his brand as no other brand can do the same for me

Agreed, Tom

 
 By: RobCH : November 10th, 2011-01:31

And I think the 3rd paragraph in Riddler's is a big contributing factor to the 'soul' of RM :

"RICHARD is a great person to meet and be with.
A true spirit that is pure and energetic which he reflects through his watches"

 Those fortunate enough to have spent time with Mr Mille cannot possibly walk away with the same 'image' of the brand as before...

IMO, a great (and honest) ambassador to contemporary watchmaking. 

I've heard this about Mr. Mille many times as well.

 
 By: BABKA : November 12th, 2011-14:15
Great lineup no doubt about it. 

Sure brings a smile to me without fail each and every time! [nt]

 
 By: BluNotte : November 12th, 2011-16:36
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