Description

The present watch is the Richard Mille RM 005 in 18k white gold, a landmark reference that represents the brand’s first foray into automatic winding and a pivotal moment in the evolution of contemporary horology. While Richard Mille is often associated with avant-garde composites, the RM 005 in white gold offers a sophisticated juxtaposition: the weight and prestige of a traditional precious metal paired with the brand’s signature high-tech, industrial architecture.

The 38 mm tonneau-shaped case is a masterclass in ergonomic design, featuring the complex, curved geometry that requires dozens of machining operations to achieve. In white gold, the watch takes on a more understated, “stealth-wealth” character, radiating a lustrous brilliance that complements the technical complexity of the movement. The case is secured by Richard Mille’s signature spline screws in grade 5 titanium, ensuring structural integrity and a distinctively modern aesthetic.

The skeletonized dial provides a transparent window into the heart of the watch, showcasing the depth and layering of the movement. A signature feature of the RM 005 is the variable-geometry rotor, a technical innovation that allows the winding efficiency to be adjusted to the owner’s activity level—whether for sporting use or more leisurely wear. The date display is cleverly integrated via a transparent sapphire disc, maintaining the dial’s transparency while providing essential functionality.

Powering the timepiece is a high-performance automatic movement with a baseplate and bridges crafted from wet-sandblasted grade 5 titanium, treated with PVD for enhanced rigidity and visual contrast. This commitment to aerospace-grade materials within a precious metal case epitomizes the Richard Mille philosophy: “A racing machine on the wrist.

Richard Mille – Bio

Richard Mille (born 13 February 1951, in France) started work at Finhor, a local watchmaking company in 1974. The company was bought by Matra in 1981 and Richard Mille rose to manage Matra’s watchmaking business, which then included the brands Yema and Cupillard Rième. Matra’s watchmaking activities were sold to Seiko, who Mille left in 1992 to start a watchmaking business for jewellery firm Mauboussin. In 1999 he founded the company Richard Mille SA in collaboration with Audemars Piguet. Its first product, the RM001 went on sale in 2001