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Could Yohan face a Fine for his Richard Mille Stunt…

Meehna Goldsmith — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 14:55:25 +0000

Yohan Blake Could be Fined for Richard Mille Watch Publicity Stunt at the Olympic Games

By Meehna Goldsmith of www.watchmatchmaker.com & Christies Watch Blog – Longitude

In a follow up to our coverage Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake and Richard Mille could be fined for the publicity stunt they pulled during the finals of the 100m sprint. The Olympic committee has strict rules about advertising during the Olympics. Athletes are banned from promoting any products until 3 days after the close of the Games.

Richard Mille found a loophole in the strict regulations, placing a prototype tourbillon on Blake’s wrist. He was the only one to wear a watch during the 100m finals, where he came in second to countryman Usain Bolt to win the Silver medal. While Blake positioned himself in the starting blocks, the half million-dollar watch was strategically on his right wrist, in prime position for a beautiful Hollywood close-up.

Apparently, the Olympic committee is furious for being duped by team Richard Mille. The fact that OMEGA sponsors the games as the official timer and pays a small fortune for the privilege adds an extra sting to the situation. We’ll keep you updated on how it all turns out.

via Yahoo! Sports

For other Richard Mille Sports related watches why not look at the RM038 and RM055 Bubba Watson Watch or the Richard Mille RM056 the watch that shouldn’t be worn???

Article provided by Meehna Goldsmith you can also follow Meehna on Twitter @thewatchlady

Original Article can be viewed at http://blogs.christies.com/longitude/brands/omega/richard-mille-could-be-fined-for-yohan-blake-publicity-stunt-at-the-olympics-games/

Johan Blake & Olympic100m Silver Medal winner Richard Mille !!!!!

Meehna Goldsmith — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 10:53:57 +0000

The Fastest Watch at the London Olympics? That Would be Richard Mille

By Meehna Goldsmith of www.watchmatchmaker.com & Christies Watch Blog – Longitude

Pay close attention here. What Richard Mille pulled off at the Olympics with their sponsorship of 100M dash silver medalist Yohan Blake is nothing short of brilliant. Richard Mille might be a small brand but they’ve managed an impressive presence. Teaming up with sports superstars, they created the RM 027 for tennis great Rafael Nadal and the RM 038 for Masters champion Bubba Watson, among others. These were extremely savvy moves. But the Yohan Blake sponsorship takes the cake, nothing short of a marketing coup.

Creating mystery around the watch, Richard Mille encouraged people to guess the “secret” of who would wear their tourbillon watch in the 100M men’s final dash. We knew it was silver medalist Yohan Blake right after the announcement.

The big “secret” of who was going to wear the watch, never was one, because it was never intended to be. There were clues laid out like candy on a children’s Easter egg hunt. Richard Mille released the “secret” watch July 30th, just six days before Blake raced in the final, stating in the press release that it was to welcome a “sprinter” into the family. The watch wears a white, green and yellow color scheme, the colors of the Jamaican flag. Since Usain Bolt – reigning Olympic champion and Blake’s training partner — is already locked up in a Hublot sponsorship, the most likely candidate was Blake. The “secret” did the job, spreading like wildfire on the Internet by getting bloggers and journalists excited to find the answer Richard Mille had already placed right in front of their noses.

Remember, no athletes can officially endorse a brand during the Olympics, and Richard Mille must wait until 3 days after the close of the Olympics to officially announce the Blake sponsorship. But they got around that rule and timed it perfectly. Blake was set to vie for victory in the 100M finals wearing the watch in front of a national and international audience, during prime time this past Sunday evening.

How did Richard Mille do it? Since the direct route was blocked, they had to figure out a way to get around the sticky wicket of the no advertising rule or get busted. Using “Coattail” ambushing, a type of ambush marketing, they took advantage of the legitimate connection between themselves and Blake and Blake’s spotlight position in front of the cameras in London, and it didn’t cost them a wooden nickel. I’m not talking about Blake’s sponsorship of the watch here but the exposure or marketing of the watch via the Olympics.

Mille couldn’t have asked for better prime product placement if they had purchased it. As Blake took his position in the starting blocks, the Richard Mille watch was front and center. Seconds before the starting gun, an NBC announcer described how Blake positions his feet in the blocks. As the camera focused on Blake’s right foot, the eyes of watch enthusiasts around the world were on Blake’s right wrist, inches away. Although the watch isn’t a new caliber and looks to be the RM, Richard Mille is sure to create one for the speedy Jamaican that is tailored to running really fast. Interested to see how they justify that one.

Yohan Blake ran a great race, finishing second to Usain Bolt. Blake may not have been the fastest human at these Olympics, but he did make the Richard Mille the fastest watch that evening.

All I can say is: Bravo, Richard Mille, Bravo!#

Article provided by Meehna Goldsmith you can also follow Meehna on Twitter @thewatchlady

Original Article can be viewed at http://blogs.christies.com/longitude/watches/the-fastest-watch-at-the-london-olympics-that-would-be-richard-mille/

Masters 2012 Winner – Richard Mille RM 038

D Constant — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:06:06 +0000

Masters 2012 Winner – Richard Mille RM 038

Written By: D Constant

Yes, Yes, Yes, We all know that the 2012 Masters was won by Bubba Watson, but what was on his wrist. It was of course a Richard Mille, but was it the Richard Mille ‘Bubba Watson’ RM 038 or the all new Richard Mille ‘Bubba Watson’ RM 055.

We can confirm it was the RM 038, which Bubba has been sporting for sometime now during his exploit on the US golf tour.

There are some subtle visual differences in the two timepieces, but the one that enables you to differentiate easily in the photographs are the number of screws visually apparent around the face of the Richard Mille RM 038 and RM 055, with the RM 038 having a total of 8 with the RM 055 having 12.

Bubba is an ambassador for Richard Mille Watches and has been since early 2011 when the company launched the RM 038 solely for Bubba Watson’s induction into the family of Richard Mille, As one of the few professional golfers who still wear a wrist watch whilst competing, the conection was a great one for Richard Mille to forge and now that Bubba Watson has one his first major all the more reason and the fact that it seams to coincide with the launch of the New Richard Mille ‘Bubba Watson’ RM 055 is all the better for the watchmaker.

As this is homage to Bubba Watson and his First Major win we won’t bore you with all the watch details here, even though we are a Watch Review website, we have however taken this opportunity to have a closer look at both the Richard Mille ‘Bubba Watson’ RM 038 and RM 055 on The Watch Review Site, just follow the links below to see more. We have although provided some more photos of Bubba sporting the Richard Mille RM 038 during the US Masters 2012 and also during his Green Jacket moment.

Enjoy,

Oh can’t help to sneek in a photograph of the RM 038, well it did win the US Masters 2012 also

and now for those links we promised you earlier The Richard Mille RM 038 information can be found at /richard-mille-bubba-watson-rm-038/ and the Richard Mille RM 055 at /richard-mille-bubba-watson-rm-055/

Richard Mille ‘Bubba Watson’ RM 038

D Constant — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:04:03 +0000

A Look at Richard Mille RM 038 Tourbillon ‘Bubba Watson’

Written By: D Constant for The Watch Review Site

Richard Mille RM 038 Tourbillon ‘Bubba Watson’ Watch

As Bubba Watson is a rare professional golfer who likes to wear a watch or a bracelet when he plays so is the Richard Mille RM 038 Tourbillon Bubba Watson, its a rare timepiece being made by in a limited edition of 38 pieces, not for the faint of heart either as it is offered at $525,000 (circas £350,000) each.

The RM 038 Bubba Watson was launched by Richard Mille in January 2011 when they also signed Bubba Watson as a company ambassador, Richard Mille have designed the watch with this in mind and given the demands of the game of Golf the focus was placed on the lightness of the RM 038, its shock resistance, and not least comfort.

Richard Mille state that the RM 038 Bubba Watson is built for golfers and other sports persons who appreciate exclusive timepieces, a sports person who requires a rare and distinctive timepiece that can withstand the extreme conditions placed on them whilst playing sports.

When it comes to Comfort Richard Mille has made the RM 038 Bubba Watson in a case measuring 48mm x 39.70mm x 12.80mm and have managed to installed a tourbillon Calibre in the timepiece. The watch is a lovely fit around most wrists and it needs to be to worm whilst swinging a club for how many hours a day on the course. it also comes with a white rubber strap.

The RM 038 case is made of an alloy named Magnesium Aluminium AZ91. This alloy is composed of 90% magnesium and 8.9% aluminium. Due to the density of Magnesium the AZ91 Alloy used for construction is one of the lightest used in watch manufacture. To achieve the whitish (well light grey) case colouring the case is treated by electro plasma oxidation. This treatment is not only for colouring but it does also improve the hardness and scratch resistance of the case along with increasing wear and corrosion resistance.

The RM 038 Tourbillon Bubba Watson is water resistant to 50 meters.

Technical Details – Richard Mille RM 038 Tourbillon Bubba Watson

Movement: Calibre RM038 manual winding tourbillon with hours and minutes.

Dimensions of movement: 30.60 mm x 29.37 mm, Thickness: 7.55 mm, Tourbillon diameter: 10.90 mm, Balance diameter: 9.12 mm

Number of jewels: 19
Balance: Glucydur, 2 arms, 4 setting screws, inertia moment 11.50 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 21,600 vph (3Hz)
Balance spring: Elinvar by NIVAROX
Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR de KE 160 B28

Power Reserve: Circa 48 hours

Variable Inertia, Free Sprung Balance: The free-sprung balance provides better reliability in the event of shocks, movement assembly and disassembly. It also guarantees better chronometric results over an extended period of time.

Fast Rotating Barrel – 6 hours per revolution instead of 7.5

Winding barrel Teeth & Third Wheel Pinion with Central Involute Profile: The central involute profile of the winding barrel teeth and pinion provides an optimal pressure angle of 20°. This promotes effective rotary motion and allows for compensation of possible variations in the engagement of the going train, thus insuring excellent torque transmission with a distinct improvement in performance.

Baseplate, Bridges & Spline Screws: grade 5 titanium allows the whole assembly to be given great rigidity.

Case: is made of an extremely rugged and light alloy called magnesium WE 54. Magnesium WE 54, used for the RM 038, is an alloy composed of 89% magnesium, 6% yttrium and 5% rare earths. It is one of the lightest metals used in construction and has excellent property retention capacities at elevated temperatures.

Case Dimensions: 48 mm x 39.70 mm x 12.80 mm.

Water Resistance to 50 meters, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals.

Crystal:

Bezel side: In sapphire (1800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides), Thickness: 1.20 mm.

Case back: In sapphire with anti-glare treatment (both sides), Thickness: at the center 1 mm and outer edges 1.73 mm

Richard Mille ‘Bubba Watson’ RM 055

D Constant — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:40:27 +0000

Richard Mille RM 055 ‘Bubba Watson’

Written By: D Constant for The Watch Review Site

Richard Mille is introducing us all to the new Bubba Watson timepiece or the Richard Mille RM 055 ‘Bubba Watson’

As a further step forward from the RM 038 Bubba Watson, Richard Mille have created the RM055 Bubba Watson, The new RM 055 is inspired by the RM 038 launched a mere 14 months ago, The RM 055 sports a mechanical movement in grade 5 titanium displays extreme skeletonization, with a PVD- and Titalyt® treated base plate and bridges.

The movement in the RM 055 is a RMUL2 Caliber as opposed to the RM038 Caliber used in the Initial Richard Mille Bubba Watson Timepiece. TheRMUL2 is equipped with a variable-inertia balance wheel, which ensures reliability in the event of impacts and during assembly and dismantling, thus improving the long-term accuracy of the timepiece. The regulator index is eliminated, and a more accurate and repeatable inertia adjustment is possible thanks to four small adjustable weights located directly on the balance wheel.

The double barrel mechanism helps to improve and equalize long-term torque stability: This is achieved by dispersing the stored energy within two winding barrels, equalizing torque as well as reducing pressure and friction on the bearings and pivots, resulting in improved long-term performance.

The caliber RMUL2 is thus capable of withstanding accelerations of over 500-G’s (cant really see anyone being able to test that to confirm can you) so lets take Richard Mille’s word on it hey.

As with the RM 038, the new RM 055 Bubba Watson is assembled using several sizes of spline screws in both the case and the movement. We have seen an increase in the total number of screws used from 12 to 20, with the RM 055 having 12 on the front face and 8 on the rear in comparison to the 8 on the front of the RM 038 Bubba Watson and 4 on the back, These screws age very well and provide better control of the torque applied during assembly, and are unaffected by the physical manipulations involved in assembly and dis assembly, so in turn providing better rigidity also.

Richard Mille has opted to use an ATZ bezel so it can meet the demands of sportsmen who this watch is obviously aimed at. The ATZ bezel is made from tubes of aluminium oxide powder injected at a pressure of nearly 2,000 bars. This high-pressure injection increases rigidity by up to 30% and reduces the material’s porosity to an absolute minimum. ATZ is known for its high scratch resistance (1,400 Vickers) and its unchangeable colour. Next to diamonds, ATZ is one of the hardest materials known to man. This being the case its an arduous and strenuous task using diamond tools to machine a perfect example of the Richard Mille bezel, which is finished in a satin manner.

Again this watch is white well whitish with a with a White Rubber injected band, to match the previous incarnation of the Richard Mille Bubba Watson.

We feel that the RM 055 Bubba Watson will make a worthy successor to the RM 038 Bubba Watson, But will Bubba himself agree especially after winning the 2012 US Masters donning an RM 038.

The Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson is a highly technical creation that is innovative, sporting and hand-finished in the finest watchmaking traditions as expected. It is to be released in a Limited Edition of how many we don’t yet know but i have emailed my press contact at Richard Mille enquiring….. Watch this space but expect it to be low numbers and priced similarly to the RM 038

Technical Details – Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson

Case: available in rubberized grade-5 titanium case band and back with ATZ front bezel.
Dimensions : 49.90 mm x 42.70 mm x 13.05 mm.

Caliber: RMUL2, a manual winding skeleton movement with hours, minutes and seconds

Movement weight: 4.3 grams, Movement dimensions: 30.25 x 28.45 mm, Thickness: 3.15 mm

Barrel arbour in 20AP steel
Balance wheel: GLUCYDUR, 4 arms, moment of inertia 4.8 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 28,000 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Balance spring: Elinvar

Shock protection: Incabloc 908.22.211.100 (transparent)

Power Reserve: Circa 55 hours.

Number of jewels: 24

Case: ATZ for the bezel of the RM 055 BUBBA WATSON case, with a rubberized grade-5 titanium caseband and back, the case middle and back are in grade 5 titanium with a protective white rubber casing.

Water resistant to 30 metres.

Crown: In grade 5 titanium with collar in Alcryn.

Flange in black carbon fiber with index points filled with an approved luminescent material, Minute flange in DLC-coated titanium.

Crystal

Bezel side: in sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare coating (on both sides). Thickness: 1.50 mm
Case back: in sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare coating (on both sides). Thickness: 1.20 mm and 2.04 mm at the outer edges

Richard Mille’s RM56: the Watch that Shouldn’t be Worn

Meehna Goldsmith — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:14:29 +0000

Richard Mille’s RM56: the Watch that Shouldn’t be Worn

3rd February 2012

Written by: Meehna Goldsmith

Richard Mille has crossed into a new frontier. Yet again. With the first release of the RM001 for his eponymous brand in 2001, Mille redefined how a watch could be considered and constructed. Drawing from the design of Formula 1 cars and aviation, he presented a timepiece with innards more resembling a car or an airplane than a traditional watch. He also threw financial caution to the wind, building one that didn’t take cost into mind. It was the artistic execution and realization of vision that drove the creation not the final price tag.

With the RM56 Mille presents another surprise and questions the industry to expand its definition. Certainly the complete sapphire construction of the case RM56 and the eyebrow raising price tag of 1.65 million bring immediate attention and focus. Though the hot topic of conversation, these are not the most interesting aspects of the watch. It’s what the construction and price tag of the watch communicate about what a watch is and can be.

By definition, a wristwatch was created as a functional tool to tell time. There’s no question it’s also a palette of artistic expression, exemplified by Vacheron Constantin’s Metier d’Art collection, Cartier’s expressive dials and Van Cleef and Arpels Poetic Complications, as seen this year in the charming “Poetic Wish.”

Richard Mille seems to be questioning the purpose of the watch altogether and the environment it calls home. Almost exclusively a watch resides on the wrist. With the RM56, Mille pushes the wristwatch into the realm of decorative art. Perching under a spotlight in the vitrine at Mille’s booth at the Palexpo during SIHH 2012, the sapphire queen drew crowds of ogling patrons marveling at its intricate construction. The whole purpose of SIHH is for retailers and journalists to handle the novelties and get a close up view. With few exceptions the RM56 stayed comfortably posing for photographers like an invaluable artwork behind its display glass.

Without question the RM56 tells time and functions as a watch. Based on the RM008 movement, the RM56 boasts in addition to hours and minutes, power reserve, function and torque indicators, and a complex split-seconds chrono—but it’s 20% lighter than the original movement, necessitating redesigning over 400 parts. In order to accommodate the movement, the crystal is made from three individually carved and milled pieces of sapphire crystal, which takes over 1000 hours of work, and comes in a limited edition of 5 pieces.

But the real issue is the practicality of taking the watch out for a wrist spin in public. I would argue the RM56 is more a kinetic sculpture meant to be exhibited and admired rather than worn. While sapphire crystal is a scratch-resistant material used to protect the dials of watches, it’s not particularly strong. In fact it’s quite brittle and can break when placed under stress. One wrong move, a knock against a desk or doorway or a drop to the floor, and OOPS! The RM56—and your 1.65 million dollars—is a memory in shattered sapphire.

The RM56 is meant to be admired and contemplated like a painting, and perhaps, on an occasion, taken out of its showcase for careful examination.

What really would’ve been cool is if the RM 56, was accompanied by a nice vitrine or at least a recommendation for a good watch framer

Article provided by Meehna Goldsmith you can also follow Meehna on Twitter @thewatchlady

Original article content can be viewed at http://www.watchmatchmaker.com/brands/richard_mille/richard-milles-rm56-the-watch-that-shouldnt-be-worn.html#more-6745