In barely twenty-five years, Richard Mille, the bad boy of contemporary high horology, has succeeded in building one of the world's most highly prized watch brands. Rare and costly, these mechanical gems possess an unusual ability to unleash an almost visceral attachment in their owners. Today Richard Mille watches have become the absolute symbol of success for global entrepreneurs and megastars.
Endowed with a love of technology, Richard Mille has changed the face of Swiss watchmaking by infusing new materials, techniques and concepts. Uniting the three fields Mille loves most-aeronautics, automobiles and watchmaking-the brand's timepieces are not only visually stunning but also each one is a true work of art. Cultivating creative partnerships with top athletes (Rafael Nadal, Bubba Watson) and automotive names (McLaren, Ferrari), Richard Mille watches push the boundaries of lightness, thinness and shock resistance with technologically advanced materials found in no others.
From a prototype of the original RM 001 circa 2001 to the newly unveiled RM 16-02 with its mesmerizing labyrinthine skeletonized movement, the 79 models in this book, selected by luxury watch and jewelry expert Fabienne Reybaud, showcase all the technical ingenuity and meticulous craftsmanship the brand exemplifies. The cover and clamshell of this handcrafted Ultimate Collection volume are fabricated in a textured rubber reminiscent of a Richard Mille watch band.
AUTHOR: Since 1989, Fabienne Reybaud has been an esteemed editor specializing in the luxury field. She was head of the jewelry and watches department of the French daily newspaper Le Figaro for twenty-five years and is now an independent journalist, writing for leading national publications such as Paris Match and Numéro. Reybaud is the author of several books, including Watches: The Ultimate Guide (Assouline, 2006, 2010), Chanel: Jewelry and Watches (Assouline, 2020) Jewelry Guide: The Ultimate Compendium (Assouline, 2022), Tambour by Louis Vuitton (Thames & Hudson, 2022), Rolex: The Impossible Collection (Assouline, 2018, 2023) and Patek Philippe: The Impossible Collection (Assouline, 2023).
190 illustrations
Handcrafted volume in a luxury clamshell case with metal plaque
