Richard Mille endeavoured to apply the techniques and materials found in the most innovative sectors such as in the domains of F1 racing car development and the aerospace industry to watchmaking, with the goal of creating an extreme timepiece, without compromise, without gimmicks.

The first watch to carry Richard Mille’s name, the RM 001 Tourbillon, was launched at the millennium, and that first model was immediately heralded by the press as the ‘dawn of a new era in watchmaking, a revolution.’

Today, many of the guiding concepts and principles established by Richard Mille at that time have found their way into the mainstream of the industry, as witnessed by the fresh waves of inquisitiveness invigorating the present approach to visual and movement design, and the use of new materials in watchmaking.

Taking leads from the research and development world of high-tech aeronautics and racing car industries, materials new to watchmaking have made a noticeable entrance into the world of watchmaking via Richard Mille Watches. Each of these materials was chosen for the specific, clearly defined and improved efficiency they bring to watchmaking. Novel materials such as these are the foundation for achieving advanced chronometric results, whilst simultaneously broadening the possibilities open to horology in the 21st century. Since then, many brands have followed this pathway to the future originally drawn up by Richard Mille in 2001.

Nonetheless, new materials and their potential for horological applications constitute only a small part of the demands required to be truly exceptional in the over populated world of horology. It is only when materials are combined with technical engineering excellence and inventiveness that the necessary prerequisites for creating ultimate wristwatches can be fulfilled. Breaking away from the current trend in creating an in house manufacture, Richard Mille instead produces their timepieces using the best companies available today in Switzerland.