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All at the Fair! Richard Mille at SIHH 2012.
While other firms consolidated, Richard Mille pushed onwards and produced the watches that were the ‘wow factor’ of the fair. I have already posted the pictures of the RM056 ‘Ghost’ and so here, to my mind, are the other highlights. I have to say that whatever preconceptions you may have on the watches, seeing them in the metal (or whatever material they are made of) can certainly change whatever conceptions you started off with. Richard is a genius at taking what you think is an ordinary look for a watch and making something extraordinary out of it. And this year, there was ample demonstration of that.
I should note that this is just my selection and choice. Richard had other watches on debut at SIHH. I just happened to like this set! ALL are limited editions in very small numbers. Richard is created new lines of exclusivity. 
Enjoy!
Andrew H
Innovation
Explore the Richard Mille RM056-01, a groundbreaking sapphire watch. Andrew (219) details its crystal case, plates, and bridges, revealing extreme technical challenges.
14 replies7097 views
New Release
Explore the Richard Mille RM056-02, a sapphire crystal tourbillon with cable suspension, unveiled at Watches and Wonders Hong Kong. See initial reactions to this horological marvel.
5 replies5586 views
New Release
Richard Mille SIHH 2013 report: RM 59-01 Yohan Blake, new model classification, and the RM 056 sapphire tourbillon. Explore high-performance watchmaking.
3 replies15442 views
Review
Hands-on review of the Richard Mille RM056-01 Sapphire Crystal. Explore its transparent case, tourbillon movement, and unique material craftsmanship.
27 replies17613 views
Complications
Discover the Richard Mille RM056, a limited edition tourbillon split-second chronograph with a full sapphire crystal case. Explore its extreme engineering and design.
66 replies18560 views
All at the Fair! Richard Mille at SIHH 2012.
While other firms consolidated, Richard Mille pushed onwards and produced the watches that were the ‘wow factor’ of the fair. I have already posted the pictures of the RM056 ‘Ghost’ and so here, to my mind, are the other highlights. I have to say that wha...
Tourbillon Split Second Chronographs: RM050 and RM056
g The big ‘show stopper’ party piece this year was the RM056 (http://richardmille.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-18/pi-5087828/ti-765828/s-0/). Otherwise nicknamed ‘the Ghost’, the RM056 has a tourbillon split chronograph as the movement, and for thos...
Is the case of the RM056 durable, will it hold up
to bumps and shocks without chipping or scratching? Perhaps I would like it better if I saw it up close, but seeing it in these pictures it is not my cup of tea. The RM050 on the other hand looks great. I love the matt black case, and I think the dial ind...
All fair questions. Generally, for the RM056, I would say no.
In a previous string, one of our forum members described the RM056 as a masterpiece: to show technical and aesthetic skill, and to show you can do something at the extreme. And that is what it is. Is there a world market for 5 RM056 watches - yes - they a...
I would so desire to get my hands on a 50
Well, one can dream! Thanks for the 1st rate photos Andrew! Stephen
Pleasure - I think we can all agree that the price point for the
dream of owning a RM050 is one that we can all afford! Cheers! Andrew H
Thank you. Any ideas on pricing for the 050?
Somewhere less than a 027 but a lot more than 035 I can only presume...any more specific information?
RM052 ‘Skull’ tourbillon
g I am the first to admit that I did not like this one with the initial computer generated renderings. Sure we had seen skulls on watches before (Corum Bubble watch anyone?) and in my opinion, this was just another version of that. But then that’s not the...
Wouldn't this infringe on the Cartier patent on movement plates?
I seem to recall they have patented the design of having the movement plates be the design of the dial ... but a review of US Patent D614050 shows virtually no claim. Hmmm
Not sure what to make of that - I think there would be a number
of watch firms in trouble on that one and not sure it is enforceable? Unless there is some proprietary process for fixing the movement plate as the dial. Would have to see the patent. Interesting point though! Andrew H
Very Alexander McQ, something about the hands though...
Watch doesn't look bad by any means it is just not to my taste, however, the hands are somewhat disappointing...
The hands are the standard hands that Richard uses on
his high-end tourbillon. True Alexander McQueen was also a big user of skulls on the designs. But nothing new there: artists/designers for centuries have had skulls around. Andrew H
Good to see you again, Andrew!
And yes, Riccardo had some of the show stoppers this year at SIHH. I can think only of Greubel Forsey who offered something extraoridnary. Quite a "quiet" show with very few truly new things. Hats off for Riccardo!!!
Good to see you too and thanks again for the photos! :) Your
summing up of the SIHH offerings is about right! I would also give a nod to GP who produced a couple of nice watches (a bit of a surprise). But otherwise, the usual suspects: RM and GF. Cheers and hope to see you again soon. Andrew H
Richard Mille RM053: Pablo MacDonough.
g There was a definite polo theme to the Richard Mille booth at SIHH and with good reason. The other watch being released was the RM053 Pablo Mac Donough. Created for the world’s top polo player and the lead player in the Richard Mille polo team. The desi...
Thank you for this very interesting return Andrew
Always a great pleasure hearing about what led to an RM or another, the materials, the conception orientation etc ... I imagine the Saphire RM056 is the most impressive in the flesh, visually speaking. I think, even if I understand the Polo version, that ...
at the fair!
just got back from the fair; met up with our man, what a presence what a friendly & passionate man, we are blessed! the RM 052 skull tourbillon is absolutely amazing!! Pity it's going to be so expensive (retail 580K$) the sapphire case RM 056 is also out ...
Love the photo of you and Richard. Sorry I did not meet you
myself. Yes, you are right, the RM052 and RM056 were show stoppers. The skull watch unexpectedly so, but a brilliant concept nonetheless. Thanks for posting the pic. Cheers Andrew H
with an engineering background..
I enjoyed reading your post about RM at SIHH.. great mix of technology and horology! thank you!
My word
Just great really the imagination in the RM camp...appreciate the crystal watch, but not really for me...surprisingly I really love the skull watch, love the hollowed out case sides etc...stunning indeed. Cannot get on with the polo watch at all, just fug...
And some people do!! But for the rest, we can marvel at the
invention and the imagination of Richard Mille watches. Thanks Chris. Andrew H
Thanks Andrew for your report !
I am split like the 056 on these novelties , not so much because of the watch themselves but more because of what they "mean" -The RM052 skull tourbillon: I love the case, the structure of the movement... but the idea of a "skull watch" is something I do ...
Thanks for the thoughts - and to some extent I agree. The
RM056 has been described as a masterpiece, for good reason - to show what can be done. The RM053 is definitely shaped by the sport. The RM052 does need to be seen. It is not a gimick, but a watch as an art piece. Still the same tough movement, still the s...
News!!!
Before I forget Richard also told me yesterday that this is not all to expect from him this year. He reckons that by March (rings a bell ?) he will surprise the world, and us with an XXXXX watch (?!) and there is also an extreme horological watch to come....
Joe - if its confidential, why put this up on the forum??
I have seen the drawings and the initial model. Richard does not release everything at SIHH as there would be nothing left for the remainder of the year!!! Yes, there will be a new watch and it is rather fab. That's all I will say! Cheers Andrew H
The watch shows (SIHH and Basel World) are no longer the only place to show news.
More and more watch companies spread their new models throughout the year. In my experience a lot of news are showed in September and October as well. I am not surprised to hear that Riccardo will come with yet another revolutionary model in March. BTW, a...
first off THANKS andrew for this wonderful report
However i have very mixed feeling about this SIHH layout out of the lot i liked the most the RM50 and i do urge Ricardo to have more versions but in normal metals as did with 008 i would assume that the 50 could result in a new reworked 004 as well (that ...
Pleasure and thanks for the comments. There are watches to please
everyone in the line up. Admittedly, Richard's watches have never been on the inexpensive end of the spectrum and that is part of the Richard's mantra. Watches are a simple equation of costs plus a margin. The costs on some of the watches he creates are a...
Price
Andrew, as usual I have to agree with you; yes his pricing is out of this world and Richard is quite frank and honest about that. It is part of his mantra and quite frankly he is one of the only ones that can get away with it. The benchmark of auction is ...