It was the star of the show at SIHH 2012. Richard’s RM056 was a ghost of a machine as it appeared to levitate in the display case. Almost without exception, the reaction was one of awe. How could this be! How, with a complex three part case, could the case be made from crystal, second only to diamond in hardness, and with so many intricate surfaces and shapes? Not least of which, the curvature of the case in three parts to match together perfectly.
Seeing the crystal case manufacture and the case in abstract: in its three parts without the movement, I was reminded of the way Yves Mathys (General Manager at Richard Mille Watches SA) described the first time he met Richard. It was a warm summer’s day and Dominique Guernat was bringing Richard to meet Yves and describe a new project. Yves’ smile widens across his face: “He showed me this watch [the RM001 prototype] and I thought– it’s an extraterrestrial!! We have an extraterrestrial ship for a watch!” But he could see how Richard was something different for the industry; something new and innovative.
In the years since, Yves has held the daily helm for developing and producing Richard Mille watches. He initially spoke to Richard about the idea of producing a complete top section for the case made of crystal about 4 years ago. But in discussion with Richard, that was changed to: “Why not the whole case?!” A mock up in Perspex was put together, and once all (Richard, Dominique, and Yves) were agreed, the project began to take shape. First step to consider: “Is there anyone else out there crazy enough to give this a try!?”
This was not a project considering the question of ‘should’, but ‘could’ it be done? For Richard the ‘should’ part is relatively easy, it was a challenge, an opus, a showpiece watch; more a part of the mantra of free thinking, no committees to slow up decision making, no cost accountants to override the necessary monetary investment: no paralysis by analysis. No, this was a flight into the unknown, and Richard was on board.