Richard Mille announced his first watch, the RM001 Tourbillon, in 2000 and has ever since remained true to three key concepts driving the passion, which helped redefine modern horology: the best technical innovations, the best artistry and architecture with the best heritage and fine watchmaking craftsmanship. Mille sought to create wristwatches that were 21st century masterpieces, employing cutting edge materials and techniques, but remaining steeped in traditional Swiss watchmaking. Two industries influencing his designs were motorsports and the aerospace industry. Developed together with Audemars Piguet’s complication specialist, Renaud et Papi, the RM001 was a futuristic, high-tech wristwatch with a decidedly Formula One racecar vibe. The watch was unlike any other - sleek and aerodynamic and made with a titanium case and baseplate, it was shockingly lightweight, inverting the notion that a luxury watch must be heavy. Within a year, Mille upgraded the model to the RM002.

Released in 2002, the RM002 manually-wound tourbillon is a feat of engineering and technology and makes a closer connection to automotive racing with the inclusion of a gear like function selector. Prominently displayed between the 4 and 5 positions, the function selector is changed through a button in the crown, similar to the gearbox, the watch can be set to H (Hands) for time selection, N (Neutral) normal running time and W (Winding) for winding. The torque indicator runs between 0 and 65 with red indicator, a reading below 53dNmm indicates the mainspring is too slack and over 65dNmm indicting excessive tension on the mainspring. The RM002-V2 was the second evolution of the model. It incorporated a movement baseplate made of a composite carbon nanofiber with grey PVD coating, enabling greater structural rigidity for improved shock resistance. Visible through the sapphire crystal dial, the carbon nanofiber baseplate is not only functional, but also visually appealing.

The present watch is in excellent overall condition with a micro blasted titanium case, and with its signature tonneau-shaped case, is unmistakably recognizable as a Richard Mille watch. Today, the brand has created many exceptional watches that all exude the qualities that Richard Mille set forth when he first launched the collection at the turn of the 21st century. He has brought many variations and complications to watches that fuel collector excitement and interest, but early examples like this RM002-V2 can be considered modern classics that superbly define the bridge between the past and the present.