How Richard Mille is Rewriting The Rules of Modern Watchmaking, One Story At A Time…

No one can tell a story quite like Richard Mille; true experts at curating tales that weave together the worlds of sport, art and horology

Storytelling is something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. It’s a word we writers throw around on the regular. From describing inanimate objects to refining our pitches, reviewing collections to drafting up captions, telling a story justifies why we’ve sat down, yet again, to pour out what so often feels like part of our soul onto a page, and serving it up in the form of another written work. In a world filled with the noise of smartphones, the clutter of content and emails galore, it’s the storytelling behind an entity that truly gives it longevity.

Stories are often crafted from years of trial and tribulation, rebranding and reimagining, with characters entering and leaving the saga. Chapters are added to the tome, slowly bound together as time ticks away, chronicling another new period in time as a whole new set of protagonists make their opening-night debut.

But what if a story is one that doesn’t boast decades – or, even, centuries – of legacy, and heritage? What if it was one that began in 2001, post-Millennium, forging a new era within a century-old craft, combining multiple disciplines to create some of the most coveted timepieces in the watchmaking industry?

If anyone has become an expert curator of tales and triumphs, making legendary strides with its partnership collaborations, it’s Richard Mille. What truly sets the brand apart in the realm of luxury watches are the stories it tells through its collaborations, across a variety of sectors in the arts and sports.

From the Richard Mille Art Prize – an annual exhibition and art prize, held in collaboration with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, that honours contemporary artists throughout the region (creatives living in or from the GCC are eligible to apply) – to entering an all-female trio of drivers into Le Mans 24 Hours – a notoriously difficult endurance rally, often described as “perilous” due to the dangerous driving conditions – there is more to these multifaceted partnerships that meets the eye. Think big catalysts for change interwoven within great, broad storytelling, all whilst supporting emerging talent and championing gender equality. Clearly, Richard Mille isn’t writing its chapters in vain.

The brand has always been incredibly selective about who and what it aligns itself with, always looking back to its core values before creating a new alignment; innovation, sophistication and artistic dimension appear to factor into every decision made when committing to a new relationship.

On the eve of the launch of the RM 88 Automatic Tourbillon Smiley – a limited-edition timepiece that perfectly embodies the playful yet rebellious spirit of the brand – the luxury watchmaker made the bold move to commit to a multi-year partnership with the Monaco Yacht Show, which took place this year from September 28th through to the 1st of October.

“There is no doubt that the worlds of yachting and fine watchmaking are inextricably linked,” says Peter Harrison, Managing Director of Richard Mille EMEA. “We share a desire for excellence in know-how, performance, design and ergonomics,” he continues.

The parallels between the world of super-yachting and Richard Mille are indeed clear. While aesthetic and design play an important role, craftsmanship and innovation reign supreme. On a balmy, late-summer day, I spent an afternoon touring the yacht show, admiring the sleek monohulls and plush catamarans as they bobbed in the marina, floating palaces in what can only be described as a storybook setting; powerful protagonists that seemed almost eager to chart their next course.

“Richard Mille is known for rewriting the rules of modern watchmaking; we rely on centuries-old tradition and know-how that we combine with 21st-century technology to push boundaries, ensure excellence and deliver unparalleled innovation, both technically and in the development and use of materials,” Peter notes.

“We are just beginning a long and significant partnership with the Monaco Yacht Show and look forward to working collaboratively in the coming years to define the next chapter in the history of this iconic show.”

From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s November 2022 issue