Richard Mille - RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020 Geneva Sunday, November 8, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Richard Mille
    Year: 2012
    Reference No: RM038
    Case No: Limited edition number of 11/38
    Model Name: RM038 Bubba Watson
    Material: Magnesium-Aluminium
    Calibre: Mechanical, cal. RM038, 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rubber
    Clasp/Buckle: Titanium Richard Mille folding clasp
    Dimensions: 39.7mm Width and 48mm Length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Richard Mille warranty dated 25th June 2012, Richard Mille presentation box, leather portfolio golf bag and golf balls.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since its very first watch introduced in 2000, Richard Mille has been pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to new dimensions, always looking for the perfect balance between technical prowess, sturdiness, and comfort of wearing constantly trying to make his watches as light as possible.

    The present RM30 tourbillon limited to only 38 pieces has its baseplate and bridges constructed from titanium providing rigidity and lightness whereas the case is made of an alloy not seen before in watchmaking: Magnesium coated with crystalline oxide ceramic giving the watch its white color and protecting the case from scratches.

    Richard Mille has always wanted his watches to be wearable in all occasions and has, as such, always tested them in harsh conditions whether on Raphael Nadal’s wrist during a game or on the wrists of Felipe Massa on a F1 circuit. Legend has it that to prove the sturdiness of his watches Milles is not shy to take one of his creations and throw it on the floor, only to pick it up a moment later to show the people in attendance that the watch is still ticking.

    With the RM38, Mille teamed up with golfer Gerry Lester “Bubba” Watson (thus nickname of this model) to test the watch whilst playing golf which submits the watch to intense shocks at moment of the swing when the club hits the ball. Considered to be one of, if not the, hardest hitting golfers in the circuit. Watson is among the longest drivers on the PGA Tour; in 2007 he had an average drive of 315.2 yards (288.2 m) and can hit a ball over 350 yards (320 m), capable of generating a ball speed up to 194 mph (312 km/h). He finished top of the driving distance statistics five times in his career, during the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, and 2014 seasons

  • Artist Biography

    Richard Mille

    Swiss • 1999

    Established in 1999, Richard Mille's ultra-modern timepieces combine cutting-edge materials from high performance worlds such as Formula 1 racecars with high-end traditional watchmaking. The brand's revolutionary designs, technical breakthroughs and exceptional hand-finishing excite even the most discriminating collectors, and have positioned Richard Mille alongside the top makers of the modern luxury watch world.

    Innovative watches, such as the RM 027 Tourbillon, which was the world’s lightest mechanical watch when introduced in 2011, have helped the brand invert the concept of the luxury watch. Key models include the RM 009 Tourbillon cased in Aluminum Silicon Carbide (AlSiC), the RM 027-02 Tourbillon made for tennis star Rafael Nadal with a case made from quartz and carbon fiber and the RM 008 split seconds chronograph.

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270

Ref. RM038
A very rare and unusual magnesium tourbillon wristwatch with box, warranty and golf bag

2012
39.7mm Width and 48mm Length
Case, dial, movement, strap, and buckle signed.

Estimate
CHF180,000 - 360,000 
€167,000-334,000
$196,000-392,000

Sold for CHF535,500

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031

WatchesHK@phillips.com

RETROSPECTIVE: 2000 - 2020

Geneva Auction 8 November 2020