Letter from the Publisher

“Haute horology must open up to the world!”
An exhibitor for the second year running at the Salon International de la Haute
Horlogerie held in Geneva at the end of January, Richard Mille has lost nothing of his
witty eloquence.
Richard Mille caused a sensation in 2010 by having Rafael Nadal play with a customized watch. He
is planning to do the same with Bubba Watson, the larger-than-life golf player who has never taken a
golf lesson and yet is definitely the rising star on the circuit. After Felipe Massa and Rafael Nadal,
Richard Mille has thus found his new crash tester—a way of living dangerously while nonetheless putting
across the message that haute horology is not pompous!
How did the year 2010 end for you?
Better than 2009, which was better than 2008,
which was better than 2007…
So you didn’t go through a crisis?
No. I had to face certain delivery problems, but that
makes sense. I launch many new models each year. When
I create a model, I discuss it with my partners, either
Audemars Piguet (Renaud & Papi) or Vaucher manufacture.
But I don’t wait for green lights on all the parameters before
getting started. The development phase then follows its
course and producing the movements can be a very long
process. Ensuring a reliable product also takes time.
And does that cause problems?
It can be difficult in terms of references, such as
when the RM 025 came out before the RM 017,
or for the RM 018 “Hommage à Boucheron,”
which should have been delivered two years
ago and has only just emerged from our
workshops. If the problem occurs on several
references, that necessarily influences sales
which become more uncertain.
right
The RM 017 Extra Flat Tourbillon boasts a total thickness
of just 8.7mm and an extra-flat manual-winding
movement in titanium.
far right
The RM 027 was originally created for Rafael Nadal and
weighs under 20 grams.
How many watches did you sell last year?
Around 2,500.
The same as in 2009…
Yes, but the average price of my watches has increased,
and, notably, turnover has as well. The Richard Mille
brand has grown constantly since its launch in 2001.
Tourbillons 147 •