Richard Mille - 18k Pink Gold - RM 001

Richard Mille has consistently aimed for technicity, performance, and extreme resistance from the outset. This watch marked Richard Mille's emergence as a formidable brand. It served as a precursor to the RM002 and RM003 references that followed. Originally conceived as a 'pre-series' model, it was a collaboration between Richard Mille and Renaud & Papi, serving as an experimental platform to refine the technical and design elements now synonymous with the brand's distinctive style.

The movement in this watch represents one of the early prototypes built on a German silver baseplate, chosen for both economic and developmental reasons. Notably, the baseplate was coated with black PVD—a pioneering use of the material at the time. This innovation reduced the need for lubrication and enhanced the aesthetic appeal, emphasizing the movement's design and superior finishing standards. Only 11 Richard Mille watches were ever produced with a German silver baseplate, as they were soon replaced by titanium baseplates, a remarkable achievement. The final six RM001 'pre-series' watches adopted the new titanium baseplate, underscoring Richard Mille's early commitment to pushing the boundaries of material application in watchmaking—an enduring hallmark of the brand's philosophy.

Richard Mille - 18k Pink Gold - RM 001