From the onset, the Richard Mille watch brand has been synonymous with luxury and high-end fashion. However, the brand is also well-known for its association with a sporty lifestyle thanks to its high performance and extreme durability. The company has cemented this reputation by partnering with high-profile icons across various sports, from Formula One racing to the world of Tennis.
Today, when people think of Richard Mille watches, they’re likely to associate it with one sport or the other. However, when it comes to actually buying a Richard Mille watch, you cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
While all Richard Mille timepieces are typically advertised as sports watches, each model is unique, and its features and specifications make it better suited for certain lifestyles than others. In this post, we will discuss some things to remember when choosing a Richard Mille watch that is most suitable for your lifestyle.
Choosing a Richard Mille Watch for Active Lifestyles – Factors to Consider
Choosing the right RM watch depends mostly on your personal preferences. However, certain factors must be considered when making a Richard Mille purchase. The most important factor is how well the watch aligns with your lifestyle as an active sportsperson. Considering Richard Mille price tag and how expensive every timepiece from this watchmaker can be, you simply can’t afford to buy an RM timepiece that isn’t suitable for your lifestyle preference. Here are some important factors to consider to ensure you find the perfect Richard Mille watch for your active lifestyle.
Material and Finish
The Richard Mille brand is famous for using innovative materials for its timepieces. Common materials include titanium, carbon TPT, gold, and quartz TPT. Each of these materials offers different aesthetics, durability, and weight attributes.
To choose the right RM watch, consider the materials used to construct its casing, bezel, and internal components and choose the most suitable one for your lifestyle. Generally, titanium and carbon TPT are renowned for being exceptionally lightweight and delivering optimal strength and durability.
Quartz TPT is also a great choice, especially when you want a durable watch with a unique aesthetic and attractive appearance. While Gold can be durable as well, it is not quite suitable for an active lifestyle because it can potentially get scratched easily. Also, gold can get quite heavy on the wrist.
Water Resistance
Most Richard Mille watches are built with sufficient water resistance for everyday use as a typical sports watch. This means they can conveniently withstand rain, accidental splashes, and even some submersion. Most models are water resistant to an average depth of 30 to 50 meters. This level of water resistance is just sufficient for most daily activities.
However, suppose you spend much time at sea or enjoy water-based activities like swimming, snorkeling, or diving. In that case, you might want to use Richard Mille models built specifically for that purpose. For instance, the Richard Mille Automatic Winding Flyback Chronograph is water resistant to a depth of 300 meters (1000 Feet). The same applies to the RM 032 Diver’s Watch and RM 028.
Shock Resistance
If you participate in high-impact sports like tennis or golf, you’ll generally want a Richard Mille timepiece that promises superior shock resistance. Most RM watches excel in that regard. They typically feature a free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertia. This is one of the biggest innovations regarding reliability and shock resistance.
However, while most models feature this type of balance wheel, some models are built with additional features to make them even more shock-resistant. For instance, the RM 027 Tourbillon watches are designed to be worn by Rafael Nadal on the tennis courts. Not only are they lightweight and durable for such an activity, but they’re also built to be extra shock-resistant. The watch weighs just 11.5 grams (without the strap) but is built to withstand a g-force of up to 14,000.
Similarly, the RM 035 ‘baby Nadal’ watch’s design was inspired by the RM027 and comes built with shock-resistant features as well. This collection features a butterfly rotor, a patented Richard Mille component allowing the wearer to vary the rotor geometry. This way, they can control the watch’s winding according to their lifestyle or the sporting activities they intend to engage in.
The RM 038 Tourbillon Bubba Watson is another Richard Mille watch built for high-impact activities. This watch was designed for golfing, focusing on lightness, comfort, and extreme shock resistance.
Comfort
If you live an active lifestyle, you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, meaning you’ll have your watch on for several hours of the day. This means comfort must be one of the essential factors to consider when choosing a Richard Mille.
Generally, you want a Richard Mille watch that’s extremely lightweight. This type of watch will stay comfortable for extended wear and during sporting activities. Finding a lightweight Richard Mille watch shouldn’t be difficult since the brand prioritizes using lightweight materials like titanium and carbon TPT in its watches. Of course, a few models are more lightweight than others. For instance, RM 035 is powered by a movement that weighs just 4.3 grams, thanks to skeletonization. The case of this watch is also made from a special aluminum, magnesium, and copper alloy, which is not only rugged but extremely lightweight.
Richard Mille’s partnership with North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), a Swiss company specializing in creating lightweight proprietary materials, has led to the creation of some of the lightest watches ever seen in the horological world. For instance, the ultra-rare RM 50-03 McLaren F1 model is the world’s lightest split-second chronograph watch with a tourbillon.
In addition to the weight, you must consider how well the watch fits on your wrist. Richard Mille watches typically feature large, prominent cases. However, the Tonneau shape of these timepieces allows them to sit neatly on the wrist. Since wearability depends on how well the watch fits your wrist, you might have to try out the Richard Mille model you want to purchase first to determine how comfortable it’ll fit on your wrist. You should consider the strap as well. Although most models are made from the same composite material, they vary in width and fastening mechanism, affecting their wearability.
Extra Functionalities
The Richard Mille brand is focused on building watches with extremely cool designs. But beyond the aesthetics, these watches are also horological marvels with interesting complications and extra functionalities.
To choose the most suitable RM timepiece for your lifestyle, you must determine the features and functionalities that are important to you. For instance, if you intend to train with your watch on, a Richard Mille wristwatch with a chronograph function will be useful for timing your lap times.
Many Richard Mille watches are built with specific sports in mind, which influences their extra features. For instance, the RM 036 G-Sensor Jean Todt timepiece was constructed for the demanding world of car racing. This watch has a G-Sensor mechanism built into its base plate that can measure and display the G-force accumulated by the wearer during rapid acceleration and deceleration. Of course, if you’re not an F1 driver, a feature like this might not mean much to you.
Another example is the RM 039 Aviation E6B. This Tourbillon Flyback Chronograph timepiece is essentially a mini E6B flight computer on your wrist and is built specifically for pilots. Richard Mille has also built watches for other activities like Golfing (the Bubba Watson), Tennis (RM 027 and 035 series), and outdoor adventures (RM 25-01 Adventure Sylvester Stallone).
These features make it easy to choose a Richard Mille watch that aligns with your outdoor hobbies. And even when you’re not buying clearly-themed watches like this, you can look for specific features like a tachymeter, day and date feature, or GMT function that might be relevant to your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Every Richard Mille timepiece is built specifically for the outdoor enthusiast. However, each one is unique in its own way, which means you have to take the time to explore the features of each model to find the one that best aligns with your personal style and preferences. The tips covered in this article will help you understand the different attributes of Richard Mille watches so you can select a timepiece that perfectly fits your active lifestyle.
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