Richard Mille at Sotheby's Important Watches Auction

  The Falcon by Richard Mille. Photo courtesy Sotheby's.   On November 13th, Sotheby's Geneva presents their Important Watches auction, including this gorgeous Richard Mille watch. With an emphasis on the best of vintage and modern horology, the esteemed auction house offers 251 important watches from the industry's most renowned manufacturers.

The Falcon

I am most enamored with Lot 228, the RM57-02 Falcon pictured above. This gorgeous watch is crafted of white gold, diamonds, and near-black sapphires. Poised for attack, the diamond falcon embodies speed, strength, and competition. This magnificent bird of prey provides cover and protection for the interior skeletonized tourbillon movement. This exquisite Richard Mille mechanism counteracts the effects of gravity, thereby improving accuracy. In addition to the tourbillon, this watch features an innovative balance wheel mechanism. The balance wheel adjusts at the micro level with the help of miniature weight attached to the balance wheel. These micro-adjustments, a unique property of Richard Mille watches, protect the watch from impact, ensuring accuracy even when exposed to vigorous activity and sports-level impact. In total, the Falcon features 532 diamonds and near-black sapphires, weighing a total of 9.34 carats. Made in 2017, the Falcon represents the modernity and innovative spirit of the esteemed horloger.   Richard Mille History Mille began studying watchmaking in the mid-1970s. For two decades, he worked for industry leaders before launching his own brand in 1999. After two years of research and experimentation, the watchmaker launched its first timepiece, a racing car for the wrist. His was a unique vision, inspired by the high-tech materials and manufacture of race cars and airplanes. Though he adheres to many of the traditions of Swiss watchmaking, Richard Mille is most certainly a pioneer. In particular, he chooses to work exclusively with high-tech materials which require time-intensive processing and labor to make such precise timepieces from them.  

High-Tech Materials

Richard Mille not only drew inspiration from the racing and airplane industries, he aimed to use many of the same materials they use. First of all, they make their cases and some of their movement parts out of Grade 5 titanium. Titanium is a brand favorite, granting the strength of steel with the lightness required for his active clientele. It also provides protection from exposure to extremes, including temperature. Richard Mille also favors NPTP carbon, a composite material first used in yachts, and later in Formula 1 race car chassis and airplanes. NPTP not only provides incredible durability, but also a unique appearance. Composed of multiple layers of filaments divided from carbon particles. These filaments are layered parallel to each other and then modified by a special machine. The result is a gorgeous wood-like appearance, with mirror-like reflection and shading. NPTP is most often used in watch cases, since its appearance is so mesmerizing. Another amazing innovation for horology is the use of carbon nanotubes. Richard Mille injects a unique polymer with carbon nanotubes. This injection protects the movement and other sensitive components from shock damage. This cutting-edge approach to durability gives Richard Mille a unique place in luxury watchmaking. Not surprisingly, the brand has firmly captured the attention of sports enthusiasts, including several famous athletes. The durability of a Richard Mille watch, combined with the beauty and intricate craftsmanship is second to none. Without doubt, there is simply no other watchmaker doing what Richard Mille does with the same flair and dedication. For information on how to bid on this beautiful watch, please visit Sotheby's website.