Comments:
I will try to elaborate my point in a constructive way, but I think we are in front of a big paradox, and one which is not good for Richard Mille, IMO.
RM watches are supposed to be exclusive. The price and the rarity is part of this exclusivity.
How can you say that a watch is exclusive if you have 24 different LE of the SAME watch???
I just don't get it.
Best,
Nicolas
The Richard Mille RM011 Limited Editions inventory catalogue
As I was looking at this very interesting RM model, from a complication standpoint (Flyback chronograph, Annual Calendar, Oversized Date) and as the great little mechanical Hi-tech box it is, I was also looking at the different "dresses" it was wearing.
An all grey I like a lot, even if I usually prefer brushed case vs sandblasted:
Nice contrasted one:
Very nice color association for this one:
Great Stealth-like RM011:
Interesting engraved bands on the case (I think it is the only one):
This one is more original and the material is really appealing, great color coordination:
A great color combination here too:
And the last one of my 4 favorites here:
RM011 10th Anniversary - Felipe Massa - NTPT - 100 pieces
RM011 Midnight Fire - TZP Ceramic and NTPT - 88 pieces - Americas only
RM011 TZP and NTPT - Geneva boutique opening - 15 pieces
RM011 red TPT Quartz - 50 pieces
RM011 Black Night - NTPT - 100 pieces
This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2015-10-08 09:08:33
I realized as time goes by that instead of having always the same model, it was nice to have change on a regular basis. Thus, they also remain in unique outfits you won't see on everyone's wrist.
Richard Mille is always moving forward and developing new materials for his watches. Even if some of them are still very high tech like Titanium he doesn't want to remain still and just make money out of it. He tries to adapt other materials (Nanotube polymer, ATZ and TZP Ceramic, NTPT, TPT Quartz). That's why this brand is still evolving much ahead of traditional brands.
You can find what suits you and it won't step back to former versions.
Richard Mille is always moving forward and developing new materials for his watches. Even if some of them are still very high tech like Titanium he doesn't want to remain still and just make money out of it. He tries to adapt other materials (Nanotube polymer, ATZ and TZP Ceramic, NTPT, TPT Quartz). That's why this brand is still evolving much ahead of traditional brands.
You can find what suits you and it won't step back to former versions.
As a reminder here is the original non limited Ti version:
RM011 Standard version
Please note I won't talk about the Rose gold versions. Just Ti, Carbon and other exotic stuff.
Here are the different versions I could gather (if you know some more do not hesitate to post a picture!).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
- So, I wonder what is(are) your favorite one(s)?
- Did they make you change your mind concerning numerous limited editions (better they exist than they do not)?
Thanks for watching and don't hesitate to discuss.
Cheers,
Mark
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
RM011 All Grey UAE - 7 LE
RM011 America LE Ti Orange
Nice contrasted one:
RM011 America White DLC Black - 30 LE
Very nice color association for this one:
RM011 ATZ Polo St Tropez - 25 LE
RM011 Argentina
Great Stealth-like RM011:
RM011 Beverly Hills Ti Black - 50 LE
RM011 Black Kite - 30 LE
RM011 Brazil - 10 LE
RM011 Carbon (nanotube polymer)
RM011 Felipe Massa - 30 LE
RM011 Texas GP Carbon - 30 LE
RM011 Italia - 10 LE
Interesting engraved bands on the case (I think it is the only one):
RM011 Le Mans Classic - 150 LE
RM011 Le Mans Classic - 200 LE
RM011 Marcus - Ti DLC - 10 LE
RM011 Marcus - WG - 3 LE
RM011 Mexico - 10 LE
This one is more original and the material is really appealing, great color coordination:
RM011 Nitrure de Silicium
A great color combination here too:
RM011 Spa Classic - 50 LE
RM011 Ti Brown - 30 LE
And the last one of my 4 favorites here:
RM011 White Night Doux - 5 LE
RM011 Yas Marina - WG - 10 LE
RM 011 Black Chronopassion - Ti
RM011 Lotus F1 Romain Grosjean - NTPT (with NTPT or RG caseband). Don't know if it is LE or not
RM011 Red Demon - 30 LE - RG
RM011 Yellow Flash - 50 LE - Ceramic and NTPT
RM011 Polo de Deauville - 20 LE - Ti
RM011 Titalyt (not LE). There is also a 12 pcs LE
RM011 Spain - 20 LE - Ti
RM011 - NTPT Carbon (dont know if it was LE or not)
RM011 Brown - Ceramic LE
RM011 Yellow Storm - 50 LE - NTPT
RM011 Orange Storm - 30 LE - Ceramic and NTPT
RM011 Korea - 50 LE - Ti
RM011 White Demon - 30 LE - Ceramic
RM011 Black Phantom - 50 LE - Ceramic and NTPT
RM011 White Ghost - 30 LE - Ceramic and NTPT
RM011 10th Anniversary - Felipe Massa - NTPT - 100 pieces
RM011 Midnight Fire - TZP Ceramic and NTPT - 88 pieces - Americas only
RM011 Asia Limited Edition - 50 pieces - Ceramic and NTPT
RM011 TZP and NTPT - Geneva boutique opening - 15 pieces
RM011 red TPT Quartz - 50 pieces
RM011 Black Night - NTPT - 100 pieces
This message has been edited by Mark in Paris on 2015-10-08 09:08:33
That is very cool, need to remember this post. thank you!
As to my favorite, very hard. I like the Carbon, White Night, Le Mans, All Grey UAE, America White, ATZ Polo (In a Big Way), Argentina, Bev Hills, oh and Italia. I will "settle" for any of those.
It is really hard to pick, when in doubt maybe stick to the original?? I like the ATZ Polo but know it is one of the most wild RM 011's out there.
Again, thank you for posting these, I have been wondering how many there are out there. I wonder if there is any collector out there with all of them.... That would be a nice group shot. I really like Richard Mille, this watch (original version) was the watch that started it all for me. One day I must have it, or a variant listed above.
Do you ever think there will be a manual RM011?
So much you chose
As I did yesterday, you seem to think "oh I like this one, and this one... and this one too, oh and that one .. etc ..."
There are very nice ones indeed: Polo, all Grey, white night ... very appealing
Many must be sold out by now and it must be difficult to find them I guess.
To answer your question, no I don't think there would be a manual. I noticed RM would launche a new product instead of just making 2 versions of an existing one.
I must say I really like the rotor as it is (I like automatics a lot, especially in this field).
As you said, a very attractive offer that I would like to get too 
Cheers,
Mark
Black kite
By far. Hard to go wrong with a gold n black combo, the black with the AP Legacy (both with same color scheme) would make an awesome combo.
Great post, Mark!
Gold combo
The gold and black combo is a great one ideed (the last RM052 is another proof of that coloring choice).
I see you are lucky enough to find a true single winner in this list.
I've not been able too :p
Thanks for chiming in Flamenco 
Cheers,
Mark
24 different RM 011, without the Rose Gold versions???
I will try to elaborate my point in a constructive way, but I think we are in front of a big paradox, and one which is not good for Richard Mille, IMO.
RM watches are supposed to be exclusive. The price and the rarity is part of this exclusivity.
How can you say that a watch is exclusive if you have 24 different LE of the SAME watch???
I just don't get it.
Best,
Nicolas
yes nico but look at the bigger picture here
you see it is still valid in terms of exclusivity
true we saw 24 different models but most are either 10 or 30 or a 50 piece run
and to be honest we all know that these models (11, 10 and 30) are the models trhat bring the bread and butter for RM
as they are the most popular and hot sellers coz the next level or the HAUTE HOLORGY level of RM is even more exclusive
with all that said and all those LE you still dont see as much RMs in the wild as PP or AP for example so we might critique the method of RM but it does work
and dont forget that we WIS arent the main target for such LEs but rather the uninitiated
also to be frank i do like some of those LEs (the best i saw was the ASIA BOTIQUE EDITION)
soon i have a surprise for you and the fellow Purists with my RM10 (keep watching)
We'll be looking forward to it
Hi Ridler,
I agree with your statement there and this Asia RM011 is avery nice color combo.
I was also closely looking to the RM010 as I LOVE the Ti brushed cases from RM.
The RM010 is a very strong contender.
Cheers,
Mark
I knew you would intervene Nicolas.
And that's a good discussion I thought about lately: Too much or not too much LEs.
Well, firstly, I don't think that many LEs make a brand more or less exclusive: the number of watches doesn't impact significantly the overall production in order to make it too numerous.
RM produces less than 4 000 pices a year. How much do Patek? JLC?
But, I don't think that we can compare these little Hi-tech machine with more traditional products as Pateks or Langes watches.
Hence, in this RM world, the LEs are more an addition of small differences, of a little touch of uniqueness (in the sense of "personalization") that is a real plus.
Of course I don't look at all these LEs the same way: some are really different, in a small number of pieces and sometime with different exotic materials. And some are just a little change in flange+crown color, which is not what attracts me.
This offer is, too me, something more, something that allows to select a different pleasure from this best seller.
It is not a LE as a rare piece that is unique and will be invested in as to speculate.
It is a particularly nice alternative to the standard versions.
I guess when RM launches a LE dedicated to an event as Spa Classic or Le Mans Classic, it's a question of passion in horology AND in motor-racing: we like what is engineering, Hi-tech magines, it's a love for an entire specific world.
In these circumstances, some (fortunate) clients would find enjoyable to purchase one of these.
As for me, if I wanted to buy an RM011, I would seriously consider buying one of the very nice LEs I mentionned in my post, instead of the standard version.
As far as I'm concerned, you understand by now that these LEs is not something I define the same way as LEs for other classical brands: it is a better in a way it leaves more choice to the customer (whitout flooding the market): you buy what you like and you don't just buy what is available.
Hence, I really find these LEs completly coherent with the brand, without flooding the market (the number remains very small) and while bringing something appealing.
But I know we'll have a very different opinion on that matter
Thanks for your constructive thought Nicolas.
Cheers,
Mark
This was over a course of MANY years.
These are far more limited than something like Royal Oak Offshores where you would have 1750 pieces across a SINGLE limited edition like say a Michael Schumacher or a Grand Prix. Seeing them all in one place like this makes it seems like there are tons out there but I haven't seen the majority of these watches for sale in a long time if ever.
;) But we can take the matter in another way.
Let's wait and see what the next one will be, as there will be a next one...
And maybe a nicer one, who knows?
Let's think about the guy who naively bought the first edition, then who saw saw many different.
Next time he will want to buy something from the same brand ( IF he is still willing to do so ), he may prefer to wait and see rather than jumping on the next one.
Economically speaking, this is not good.
Best,
Nicolas
I thought about that too...
Which one to chose? And what is the feeling if you buy a nice one and, 6 months later, there is another one you prefer better.
I would say it's better to have this kind of choice instead of a unique one we may not like.
I guess any client has to face his own choices and will decide as an adult.
Anyway I don't think personnaly it will be negative for RM's image. I may be wrong, time will tell
Thank you Patrick
Yes, that's quite an offer. At least there are some for every taste, for someone who is willing to get one.
Cheers.
Black Kite!~!!
Nice compilation, Mark!
The only RM 11 i would buy is the Black Kite!
I personally don't see a problem with the number of limited editions. Not only are RM's rare enough that i probably see one or two live ones a year, the special editions are even rarer.
Also, if selling more limited eds mean they can continue creating masterpieces like the 27-01, 56-01 than everyone wins.
If i were a 11 owner, i would see the other variants as a different watch.
Had RM's releases all just been variations on the RM11, i would be singing a different tune. *ahem*AP ROO*ahem*
But RM has been churning out various other offerings instead of depending just on this one model and it's iterations, offerings which seem to be just as well received as the 11. The RM 35, 55, 16 etc.
I fully agree, LEs for RM is not an issue
and I would say if I were to buy a RM011 I would certainly go for a LE one.
The least we can say is that you seemed to have found your one in that list!
Thanks for the interesting and right input Hercule
Cheers,
Mark
Wow great post Mark
My favorites are the RM11 with brown Pvd. The brown look for me matches perfect with the RM look and design.
Cheers,
Anthony
Cheers,
Anthony
Brown
Original choice, I must say I love the Nitrure one too and understand you like the warmth of the brown one.
Thanks your words Anthony
Cheers,
Mark
RM11
Another new additional.
Asia Limited Edition in Brown Ceramic
This message has been edited by patrick on 2014-05-08 22:40:02
Asia Limited Edition in Brown Ceramic
This message has been edited by patrick on 2014-05-08 22:40:02
The all greay has a special color
very nice too and usually sandblasted instead of brushed.
Thanks Nacho,
Cheers.
Only time will tell...
the longevity of such an array of versions of such an exclusive(and expensive)watch.
Who knows,nobody has the crystal ball,but I agree with Nico that if I bought such a watch and then see so many iterations ,well i would not be super happy,especially if one of the latest ones I like much more than mine,and especially having paid $$$$$$$$$more than any other competitors offers for exclusivity.
But again,Richard Mille is a universe apart and again...who knows.
Personally LE are a put off,all these colors and bright pyrotechnics suit more swatch collecting than a top tier watch brand,to me it cheapens the image.
I am sorry if I interact without being a RM poster,I will try to intervene with something more constructive next.
Great report and file work Mark.
Mo
Yes only time will tell
You summed up it perfectly right Mo. We can have our personnal impression but one can never tell what it will end like.
"Personally LE are a put off,all these colors and bright pyrotechnics suit more swatch collecting than a top tier watch brand,to me it cheapens the image.
I am sorry if I interact without being a RM poster,I will try to intervene with something more constructive next."
It is constructive and perfectly understandable.
I understand your approach. I would just say that LEs for RM is not how I see LEs for other traditional brands.
As I mentionned above, if I ever was to buy an RM011, I would get a LE because more unique and less seen.
Have a good sunday Mo,
Mark
Same here
And frankly I think RM is overrated and overpriced, but they hit a sweet spot. There's a saying in Chinese, I don't care about the best, I only want the most expensive. The entry to RM is higher than that of Patek, so for many Chinese now, RM (or GF if you really have lots of $$$$) is the watch to be seen in.
ADDITION: Titalyt LE and not LE
- This is the "not" limited Titalyt version:
- And there is a 12 pieces LE with red numerals (couldn't find the picture on the net)
You do realize that the RM11 America Orange was actually created for AndrewLuff :)-
And rebadged America after Andrew declined the watch. -
-Jokes aside....I will come back shortly....just stumbled upon this thread, and I am not a regular visitor to RM forum, even thought I own the same rm35 as you, and I also have the rm11 "regular" in my collection. just couldn't resist the dig(at Andrew)
Best, Horo