Richard Mille

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Dave - welcome! Quite an opening question....!

I will go for the true high horology - and here's why.

It is safe to say, with one or two exceptions, that before RM came along on the scene, everyone had the 'Patek' model of high horology in mind.  Nice thoughts about watchmakers haunched over their desk, finishing, finishing, finishing the same plate with Geneva strikes, etc.

But then Richard came along and said "It does not have to be like this!"  In fact, it can be completely different: new: exciting!

And with RM001/002 he changed the map if what a wrist watch should look like and be like.  That is not to say that Richard does not demand an exacting finish, or that his watches are any less engineered than other firms.  Just different!  Still high horology, but not the tradtional style of finish.  The movements are still made by watchmakers, and the finish requrires that not one slip is made (or the plate has to be rejected).  Richard's watches push the boundaries and he often thinks counter trend: only to look behind and find a good number of pack hot on his heels!  Without Richard, I am sure you would not have seen the influx of new materials (especially carbon and esoteric metals) in the way they have been introduced.  And as for the RM018 and the gear train of semi-precious stones, the research and the research budget defy belief!

Richard has also changed the game in marketing, and used Ambassadors for the brand that have to wear the watch while playing/driving, then so much the better for testing the watch.  Its not hype: the watch has to perform as required.  It is true high horology and high marketing.

An innovator at the highest levels of horology and marketing.

Andrew H