11 Most Expensive Richard Mille Watches Ever
Established in 2001, Richard Mille exists as the gold standard in Swiss watch manufacturing companies. Richard Mille and Dominique Guenat are the co-founders. As mentioned by Successstory, Richard Mille has made a strong name for itself as one of the industry’s leading companies when it comes to high-end timepieces. The most expensive Richard Mille timepieces are known for the sort of comfort and accuracy that allows them to stand apart from the crowd.
In addition to the comfort and accuracy, they are known for being lightweight. When you take a closer look at the most expensive Richard Mille watch, you are sure to notice the aesthetic automotive design. Competitors struggle to compete with these designs and for good reason. If you would like to learn more about the most expensive Richard Mille timepieces and how they came to be, please be sure to read on!
Our Methodology
All of the figures that are quoted in this piece have been sourced from the good folks at Swisswatches magazine. The prices that are cited are accurate as of May 2023 and Swisswatches has built an impeccable name for themselves in the world of timepieces. Their Instagram account has over 330,000 followers, as they have become a trusted source for all of the latest information when it comes to high-end watches. They are a one-stop shop for the connoisseur and the casual observer alike. Any additional information cited within the piece is sourced directly from the Richard Mille website.
11. RM 27-01 AN-CA, No. 8/50
At a glance:
Price: $1,475,122
Features: Manual winding tourbillon movement
Material Used: braided steel, grade 5 titanium, aluminum, lithium
Released Date: 2013
According to Swisswatches, this Richard Mille/Rafael Nadal collaboration set the record for lightest mechanical watch at the time of its release, weighing in at a mere 18.8 grams. Released in 2013, the watch was a limited release, as only 50 pieces were manufactured. While most watches tend to have a heavier bracelet, the RM 27-01 AN-CA does not present such issues. In 2022, the RM 27-01 AN-CA went to auction, where it fetched an asking price of over $1.4 million US.
10. RM 009 Felipe Massa Tourbillon, Prototype No. 3
At a glance:
Price: $1,686,862
Features: Manual winding tourbillon movement, ALUSIC® case, lightweight
Material Used: aluminum, lithium
Release Date: 2005
In 2005, the mere concept of a watch this light was a totally foreign concept to those who purchase luxury timepieces. Richard Mille flipped that concept on its ear with the RM 009 Felipe Massa Tourbillon, Prototype No. 3. Its lightweight (clocking in at 29 grams, according to Richard Mille) went against all expectations at the moment, as timepieces of this caliber were expected to sit heavier on the wrist. At the time, marketers believed that a watch needed to be heavy to remain valuable. With this entry into their collection, Richard Mille altered that perception forever. This timepiece would go on to fetch a $1.4 million asking price at auction.
9. RM 050 CA FQ, Prototype No. 03
At a glance:
Price: $1,757,443
Features: Split seconds chronograph, 30 minute totalizer, power reserve, function and torque indicators
Material Used: titanium, graphene, Carbon TPT
Release Date: 2017
The third prototype in a series of five watches, this timepiece was released as a means of celebrating. It was the 50th anniversary of Jean Todt’s initial entrance into the world of motorsports. In fact, the shade of blue that you will notice here was actually selected as a means of paying homage to Todt’s favorite hue, according to Swisswatches. There are a number of specialized accents that are sure to appeal to motorsports enthusiasts as well, such as the “W-Winding”, which comes in the shape of a gear stick. This particular timepiece fetched a price of over $1.7 million at auction in 2022, placing it at ninth on our list.
8. RM 027-02 CA-FQ
At a glance:
Price: $1,757,443
Features: Split seconds chronograph, 30-minute totalizer, power reserve, function and torque indicators
Materials used: titanium, graphene, Carbon TPT
Release date: 2015
The second collaboration with tennis sensation Rafael Nadal to make the list, this watch is already well known in sporting circles because Nadal wore it throughout the course of the 2015 season. Known as a “racing machine on the wrist” (a crucial focal point in Richard Mille marketing), the watch’s construction is inspired by Formula 1 cars’ chassis. The case is also constructed from quartz and carbon, adding to the level of craftsmanship on display. This watch comes with unprecedented shock resistance and sold for over $1.75 million at auction in 2022.
7. RM 018 “Hommage a Boucheron”
At a glance:
Price: $1,828,023
Features: power reserve indicator, Tourbillon
Materials used: white gold, leather
Release date: 2008
Constructed in collaboration with Boucheron, it was designed as a means of celebrating the jeweler’s 150th anniversary. “‘If you want a watch with diamonds on the bezel, you don’t need me,” was Mille’s initial reply to the collaboration request, according to Swisswatches. Instead of placing diamonds in the bezel, Mille had a different plan. The movement gears were set with an array of precious stones, which vary from watch to watch. As a result, this was the first Mille creation to have sapphire plates embedded within its movements. In 2022, a more unique variation of the watch was sold at auction for an asking price of over $1.8 million.
6. RM 27-04, No. 21/50
At a glance:
Price: $1,956,831
Features: manual winding tourbillon movement, skeletonized base plate, spline screws, winding barrel teeth
Materials used: titanium, aluminum, vanadium
Release date: 2020
The third Rafael Nadal related entry on the list, this watch came about as a result of the 10th anniversary of the initial collaboration between the tennis star and the luxury watchmaker. What began as a professional relationship would soon blossom into a genuine friendship. Including the bracelet, this watch weighs in at a mere 30 grams and the thread mesh is inspired by the strings of Nadal’s tennis racket. This particular watch is #21 in a limited edition set of 50 and sold at auction for $1.95 million in 2021.
5. RM 56-02, No. 10/10
At a glance:
Price: $1,965,477
Features: innovative cable system, manual winding tourbillon movement
Materials used: titanium, sapphire
Release date: 2015
After the RM 056 was released and took the luxury timepiece world by storm with its pure sapphire case, Richard Mille upped the ante once 2015 rolled around. This watch took this concept to a whole new level, with a baseplate and bridges that are also made of sapphire. It was created for the Hong Kong Watches & Wonders in 2015 and holds a very special place in watchmaking lore. That’s because the main plate is suspended via a cable that is specially constructed for the purpose, which is only 0.3 mm thick. There are also a number of other transparent components, creating a truly unique appearance that culminated in a $1.9 million auction purchase.
4. RM 001, No. 001
At a glance:
Price: $2,463,243
Features: extreme shock resistance, no casing ring mounting
Materials used: silver, titanium, rhodium, PVD
Release date: 2001
This is where it all began. This watch was personally worn by Richard Mille himself (according to Swisswatches) and laid the groundwork for everything that came after. Mille did not even expect these watches to become as popular as they have, as he predicted that he might sell a few dozen RM 001s. He was wrong and the rest was history. His entire production run of 80 sold out far more quickly than he expected, putting him on the fast track to success. As the most historically significant watch in the history of Richard Mille, it should come as a shock to no one that it fetched an auction price of over $2.4 million.
3. RM 67-02 Charles Leclerc Prototype
At a glance:
Price: $2,470,301
Features: power reserve, skeletonized bridges and base plate
Materials used: quartz, Carbon TBT, elastic, titanium, white gold
Release date: 2021
This watch made its way into the public consciousness as a result of a long-standing collaboration between Richard Mille and Charles Leclerc. In fact, Leclerc helped the brand test its technical solutions when it came time to craft this timepiece. Mille’s objective was a simple one: he wanted to craft a watch that could have a more symbiotic relationship with the athletes who wore it. Weighing in at a mere 32 grams, it is safe that he was successful in this endeavor. The watch has since fetched nearly $2.5 million at auction and the winner was even given the chance to meet Charles Leclerc and watch the Monaco F1 Grand Prix with him.
2. RM 56-01 AN Saphir/PR00, No. 011
At a glance:
Price: $4,298,324
Features: Manual winding tourbillon movement, torque indicators, power reserve, function selector
Materials used: sapphire crystal, titanium
Release date: 2013
This watch is considered to be one of the greatest innovations in Richard Mille’s storied history, owing to the usage of unconventional materials. The watch is almost 100% transparent, thanks to Mille’s choice of sapphire crystal for each part of the case. In order to manufacture these case parts, 40 full days of production are required. From there, it takes 350 hours of polishing before the watch is ready to be released to the world. Believe it or not, this watch was only able to reach second place on this storied list, with a 2022 auction place just shy of $4.3 million.
1. RM 52-01 Skull Tourbillon – “Vanitas Vanitatum”
At a glance:
Price: $7,835,676
Features: Manual winding tourbillon movement, skeletonized base plate and bridges, red gold skull
Materials used: TZP ceramic, red gold, carbon nanotubes, rubber, sapphire crystal,
Release date: 2012
The RM 052 Tourbillon Skull’s construction and the RM 56-01’s overall transparency have been combined here to create the single most expensive watch in the history of Richard Mille. While Richard Mille offers a few different models that have been made of sapphire crystal, this is the first and only to have casing made of brown sapphire crystal. Mille chose the skull design as a means of asking the wearer to stop and appreciate the present day. These watches are custom made and designed with the highest end clients in mind. There is little to no hope of locating one on the open market. In 2020, this model was sold at auction for a whopping $7.8 million, placing it at the very top of our list.
Final Thoughts
Over the years, the manufacturing brand Richard Mille has proven to carry a significant amount of mass popularity in the watch industry, with the release of luxurious timepieces. In addition to producing high-end watches, the Richard Mille brand is associated with a wide array of athletes and celebrities, who have been very influential in marketing the brand’s products and increasing its popularity among the masses.
The year 2024 marks the 24 year anniversary of Richard Mille watchmaking and its significant growth in relevance among today’s watch enthusiasts. Although most of Richard Mille’s watches are very expensive, they are certainly worth your investment as they come with various unique and amazing features that are very rare among ordinary timepieces. With Ferrari partnerships being unveiled and timepieces that are favored by A listers like Tom Brady and Lil Uzi Vert, the brand’s sterling reputation is not likely to wane any time soon.
Meta Title: 11 Most Expensive Richard Mille Watches Ever (Updated 2023)
Meta Description: Check out this fun guide to the most expensive Richard Mille watches of all time
You can also read:
- The 10 Finest Watches Designed by Richard Mille
- A Closer Look at The Richard Mille RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough
- A Closer Look at The Richard Mille RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal
- 10 Reasons to Visit Caladesi Island
- The Five Best Cartier Santos Watches of All Time