Tag Archives: Richard Mille

Opinion: Can There be Three Kings of Ultra Thin Watches?

Image: Richard Mille

In a year that saw the introduction of the thinnest-ever mechanical wristwatch in the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra, we now have a new king of thin chic: the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari. When you add the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept, you find yourself with a trio of watches that are bewildering. If you look at them all together in profile, you will (probably) find yourself scratching your head trying to figure out which one is the thinnest, while being amazed that these are all working watches; we have seen both the Piaget and Bvlgari examples up close and can confirm that they are quite real. Our turn will come with this RM UP-01 Ferrari too.

In all seriousness, you will need callipers or some other professional measurement tool to get the story on the differences in specifications between the RM UP-01 Ferrari, Bvlgari Ultra and Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept. One thing we can say for certain is that this fight is far from over, even though we called it for Bvlgari with the Ultra. So, how thin can you go with a mechanical watch? Let us go through the salient specifications for the RM UP-01 first. About that name, although the press notes do not spell it out, it seems likely that UP stands for Ultra Plat, which is French for ultra flat. Most crucially, the watch is just 1.75mm thick, just 0.05mm thinner than the Bvlgari; the Bvlgari Ultra itself bested the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept (AUC for short) by 0.20mm. That amount, by the way, is the thickness of the sapphire crystal on the AUC.

We confess to being a bit less blindsided than most on the appearance of this marvel from Richard Mille. Rumours were swirling even as Bvlgari took its turn in the spotlight, but we did not expect the watch to drop quite so suddenly. To be fair here, Richard Mille is not known for its flat watches — the opposite if anything, although the manufacture does boast a number of ultra-light watches. Honestly, the idea of making a superlight watch that was also ultra-thin, and as sturdy as mechanically possible has filled the editorial team here with enthusiasm for years. In the context of Richard Mille and Ferrari, the analogy here can be found on the racetrack. In other words, the RM UP-01 Ferrari is the equivalent of the fattest, lightest and toughest racing tyre.

Image: Richard Mille

On that note, the RM UP-01 is a watch with a movement and a case, unlike its Piaget and Bvlgari peers. This was done to provide a measure of stability and to make water-resistance a reality — it is only 10m here but that is still incredible. By way of comparison, the Bvlgari Ultra has the same water-resistance rating (by the manufacture) while Piaget makes no promises at all about this. For the record, the exposed gears of both the Ultra and the RM UP-01 prompts us to suggest that the watches should be kept away from moisture. Some specialists suggest that 10m water-resistance is not even splash-resistant, but we doubt anyone is going to test these watches.

Image: Piaget

On that note about exposed gears, the RM UP-01 has two apertures on the front of the watch (really a massive bezel framing the time indicator and the exposed escapement) that serve as a function selector (winding and time-setting) and a method to set and wind the watch; calibre RMUP-01 is manual-wind, and can withstand more than 5,000 Gs of acceleration. Richard Mille calls these apertures crowns, and it function that way for sure. However, as Watchfinder & Co notes, they are more like the special systems tha pocket watches once used to wind and set the time prior to Adrien Philippe (of Patek Philippe) inventing the keyless works, and thus introducing the world to the crown.

The official press notes for the watch do not include any notes about special tools needed to work these controls, but it seems probable. In fact, this seems the most logical explanation for how Richard Mille managed to get the watch be water-resistant. No doubt there will be countless debates about whether Richard Mille is using crowns here or not, but this leads to some key differentiating points between the three kings of ultra thin watches.

Image: Bvlgari

For classicists who prefer their watches round and with a crown, even if that crown is a telescopic wonder of contemporary technology, then the AUC is the thinnest wristwatch. For those who feel like a watch needs a proper case and movement, distinct from each other, and the notional ability to actually be worn, then the RM UP-01 is the thinnest wristwatch. As for the Ultra, it is the true uncrowned champion of ultra thin watches. We like this way of looking at things because it allows each of the three watches (each one an exceptional work of horological art, no matter which way you slice it) to shine.

For more watch reads, click here.

Tissot

The Timeless Appeal Of Steel Watches

Image: Tissot

Fine watchmaking has plenty of complicated and difficult to understand concepts. By far the toughest to explain is the enduring appeal and value of watches in steel, with some examples commanding the highest value in all of watchmaking. Even worse are the core collection watches that achieve eye-watering prices by being cased in humble steel. This is the reason steel is sometimes called unobtainium in watchmaking circles, being that it is potentially more elusive than even the same watch in platinum.

Part of the reason for the apparently timeless appeal of steel can be found in the key watches of the 1970s, namely the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. To this, one might very reasonably add the Vacheron Constantin Overseas, the Royal Oak Offshore, the Aquanaut and the Girard-Perregaux Laureato, amongst others, as well as the entire catalogue of all non-precious metal Richard Mille watches. These types of watches are classed together in the luxury sports watch category, and Richard Mille in particular has legitimised extraordinary price points for ultra-lightweight watches.

In a totally different vein, Grand Seiko brought fine finishing to the sports watch category, and has thus given tangible form to what prestige sports watches could look like. Not for nothing, Grand Seiko has also brought timekeeping innovation to the table, with Spring Drive being the most exciting chronometric achievement (in series production no less) in the last 20 years. Such exercises in chronometric excellence, combine with Richard Mille’s excessively engineered options, to cite just the entire automatic winding system, to provide a showcase of what fine watchmaking can bring to the table, in terms of robustness.

Image: Tissot

Richard Mille, Hublot, Roger Dubuis, Panerai and Audemars Piguet have also taken luxury watchmaking into never-before-explored realms of high-tech material science. The amazing growth in value — even at the level of detail — of these sorts of watches represents a triumph of marketing. Not necessarily the sort of marketing that creates desire, but the sort that emphasises the real need for these innovative moves.

This is not to say that the non-precious metal watches are a gimmick — Rolex has yet to endorse even titanium but that probably has more to do with its internal logic than any distaste or distrust of contemporary alloys and composites. The proof for this lies, chiefly, in the presence of ceramic, titanium and bronze cases in the Tudor assortment. Watch collectors have been eagerly awaiting the introduction of titanium cases in the Rolex range, and that would indeed have a transformative effect on the overall watch trade. The key to this lies in which price segment such watches would find themselves.

Currently, watches cased in titanium are typically more expensive than steel, and Rolex would likely only use titanium if it could get the same sort of high sheen that stainless steel can deliver. Such innovation in finishing (or in material science) would require a higher price point, thus playing into the hands of the so-called premiumisation forces currently dominating the market.

Here, the example of Audemars Piguet is most useful because CEO Francois Henry Benahmias has demonstrated the effectiveness of banking on selling fewer watches at ever higher price points. By relentlessly applying this strategy, Audemars Piguet has raised its revenues to within striking distance of Patek Philippe, while producing fewer watches. Intriguingly, Audemars Piguet, unlike Patek Philippe and Rolex, is firmly on the titanium path, and has actually made a Royal Oak reference in titanium, but that was for Only Watch. Nevertheless, Audemars Piguet could have changed things up in the Royal Oak game by introducing titanium for the standard 16202 model, but it opted not to. It could also do the same with ceramic, as it already has in complication territory, while also charging a premium price because of the difficulty in achieving the desired finishing.

Image: Audemars Piquet

Given how the Audemars Piguet numbers look, it is only natural that rivals are keenly studying the situation with regards to premiumisation. The playbook would be simple — establish a popular steel model, and then instead of increasing production of that model, introduce precious metal variants, and focus on selling ever greater numbers of those. There will be questions about where the best margins lie, but this may vary from brand to brand. Tissot illustrates an accelerated version of the premiumisation story with its insanely popular PRX model. It began with a quartz model, followed up with an automatic, and now has a steel and gold version. We have no doubt that all versions of the PRX are successful to some degree, because the aforementioned playbook works like a charm.

Watchfinder and other specialists are saying that gold is the next go-to material, and perhaps Patek Philippe will endorse this with exclusively gold versions of the Nautilus, as it did with Ref. 3711. It certainly feels logical to shift the collecting conversation away from steel, at least for awhile. Gold changes the value proposition considerably, and raises the asking price at retail accordingly. This becomes more important, and ever more pressing, as prices on the secondary market for steel watches approach those of the gold versions — they already exceed them in some cases.

Image: Patek Philippe

To close this segment on materials off, we return to Rolex. The brand is doing a masterclass in convincing people to move up the value chain, so to speak, and get precious metal models if steel is simply out of reach. Consider the example of the Rolex Cellini, which is never spoken of as a must-have model, and also that of the Datejust, for broader context. In the first case, you will be hard-pressed to even find a Cellini watch to try on, much less to buy immediately. Here too, you will have to register your interest and wait.

In the second case, we can report that you can still see and try on Datejust models, but you will also be unable to buy any immediately. The Cellini is only available in gold, and a significant proportion of the Datejust range is also only available in precious metals. Clearly, demand for Rolex watches is going far beyond the professional steel sports watch category, but let us look at what a typical watch buying journey might look like for just this one brand.

You would begin, like as not, with the Oyster Perpetual — it might be your first serious watch. After a few years, you might decide that something more substantial might be called for, and now you look to the Oyster Perpetual Submariner with date. From here, you might also consider a Rolesor version of the same, or perhaps even the full gold model. If your wrist could handle it, you might even opt for the Sea-Dweller. From there, you could go in a lot of directions, but you will now have charted a rather specific course in watch collecting.

So, the progression here would be from a simple time-only collection, exclusively in steel, to another collection that also offers gold and half gold options. Well, we say that this is typical but you will find it very difficult indeed to execute this course at this time. It might be that you will have to go straight for that Rolesor Submariner… Once again, if there is any watch you want from Rolex, and fortune favours you, do not hesitate.

For more watch reads, click here.

Richard Mille ups the ante with RM 74-01 and RM 74-02 pair of novelties

Amidst a post-pandemic climate, Richard Mille has valiantly gone against the disruption with a steady momentum of new launches and innovations.

Enter the RM74-01 and RM74-02 In-House Automatic Tourbillons as we speak, a pair of novelties being uniquely appealing and technically complex. A double act, similar yet unique—the timepieces exemplify the DNA of the avant-garde watchmaker with elements that boast of its unceasingly innovative streak.

At first glance, though the ultra-skeletonised heart of the two striking models instantly attracts our attention in their likeness, they are demarcated within close range by the fine materials used in their construction.

 

RM 74-01

First up, RM74-01 flaunts a case in grey Cermet, a remarkable material that juxtaposes the extraordinary lightness of titanium with the hardness of ceramic with its exceptional resistance to corrosion and scratches.

RM 74-01

Taking Richard Mille and microtechnology specialist IMI Group years to develop and design including its singular hue, grey Cermet is technically composed of a metallic zirconium matrix strengthened by high-performance ceramic inserts where the ingenious flash sintering technique is employed. Notably, the Cermet material—typically used for racing car brakes and aerospace’s external fuselage—boasts a density lower than titanium (4.1g/cm3) while its 2360-Vicker hardness is comparable to the diamond’s standard 2400 Vickers. To complement the three-section construction of the case are grade 5 titanium caseband, bridges and baseplate.

 

 

In tandem with RM 74-01, side by side and without missing a beat so to speak, is RM 74-02 with yet another Richard Mille exclusive watchmaking material, Gold Carbon TPT®. This challenge is proudly accomplished by incorporating a composite material, the unparalleled Carbon TPT®, with a noble metal, gold leaf.

 

Just like grey Cermet, Gold Carbon TPT® has entailed years of development in the creation of a resistance-and-lightness tour de force from alternating layers of Carbon TPT® with 24k yellow gold leaf at 45°. The result is a stunning contrast of matte black carbon and glint of precious gold including threads of 24k yellow gold spangled over the curved contours of the case silhouette—all impeccably achieved by specially adapted machining and cutting processes and tools. Complementing the radiant glow are the baseplate and the red-gold 5N caseband with polished pillars, as well as the yellow gold 3N-encircled crown.

 

 

From an outward impression, we now journey within to the twin cores of the watches to discover the two new versions of the fully in-house automatic tourbillon calibre. For the RM 74-01, the in-house CRMT6 calibre is its beating heart, while the CRMT5 calibre powers the RM 74-02. The CRMT6 calibre’s baseplate and bridges are crafted from PVD- and electroplasma-treated grade 5 titanium, distinct from the CRMT5 calibre rendered in yellow gold 3N and red gold 5N.

 

However, the two calibres beat to the same rhythmic mandate of a tourbillon regulator with a free-sprung balance wheel where the constant energy flowing from their fast-winding barrels is smoothly dispersed via the involute profile gear teeth for 50 hours of power reserve and mechanical ballet. Allowing the owners of the twinning but non-identical watches and to personalise the winding according to their individual profile are a variable-geometry rotor from which the two movements distil their energy.

The final compliment that can be paid to the RM 74-01 and RM 74-02 is slimline sophistication that showcases their respective tourbillons at 6 o’clock, majestically placed within their frames. Additionally, the hand-bevelling on the flange further enhances the movements, replete with the detailed touches of satin-polished surfaces, microblasting, hand-bevelling and rolled pivot joints on the movement and case.

Clearly, the peerless refinement of hand-finishing quality has elevated the grace and delicacy of each timepiece to perfectly illustrate architectural elegance and technical performance in high watchmaking.

 

Visit richardmille.com to find out more.

This article was originally published on www.lofficielmalaysia.com.

 

 

Richard Mille dedicates the perfect women’s timepieces

 

From the red carpet to the sporting arena and beyond, renowned and respected public figures such as Michelle Yeoh, Margot Robbie and Ester Ledecka may hail from different countries and professional realms, but their strengths, talents and accomplishments, as well as their affinity and affiliation to the watchmaking brand of Richard Mille are in absolute solidarity.

Among the phenomenal females in the Richard Mille family is Malaysian-born, award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. Known for her beauty, talent and fearless attitude towards work and life, the prolific Asian superstar with a global profile and portfolio was chosen and appointed as the first female brand partner.

Michelle Yeoh

From the silver screen to off-screen engagements such as designing a pair of Richard Mille jewellery watches for women, serving as a UN Goodwill ambassador, and raising awareness for the ICM Bain and Spine institute; Yeoh’s credentials in show business and humanitarian work lend great substance to her brand partner appointment.

“We share the same artistic values and principles. Richard chooses his ambassadors based on the values they represent— the same ones he wants his brand to be associated with. Be that elegance, determination, integrity or any number of specific things,” said Yeoh.

Margot Robbie

Another exemplary Richard Mille partner is Australian actress and producer Margot Robbie, whose ascending stardom is showing no signs of slowing down.

In recent years, she has won awards and garnered nominations for acclaimed roles in films such as I, Tonya, Suicide Squad and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood from her distinguished filmography.

“I was astonished by the intricacy of the watches, by the way in which, when you look closely, the detail and craftsmanship are incredible. I was simply amazed that a thing so delicate felt so sturdy on my hand,” Robbie remarked.

“I am really excited to join the Richard Mille family, I have always admired the brand’s artistry and innovation. The watch we are working on embodies Richard Mille’s vision of horology; it’s beautiful, unique and modern. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

Ester Ledecka

From the grit of working in front of film cameras to the glamour of film premieres and award events from Hollywood to Cannes, we traverse to the snowcapped Alps, Olympic stadiums and high- profile sporting venues to find the Richard Mille family’s ninth female partner, Ester Ledecka.

Famed for being the first athlete to combine snowboarding and alpine skiing internationally at the highest level, this trailblazer boasts a record-breaking performance in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games that puts her in the league of the world’s elite sportswomen.

“Richard Mille and I both love what we do. We strive to be the best in our field and enjoy it,” said Ledecká, neatly summing up the raison d’être of her relationship with the brand.

RM 07-01 Gem-set Ceramic and Carbon TPT® case

Parallel to its universe of female brand ambassadors, the Richard Mille ladies collection of watches similarly inhabit a uniquely feminine universe in fine watchmaking. What sets it apart is the juxtaposition of extreme watchmaking with beautifully elegant expressions in a quest to turn dreams and desire into reality.

Case in point: the peerless and ultra-creative Talisman and Bonbon collections launched in recent years boast stunning designs and inimitable technicity, being truly second to none.

In constant pursuit of technical solutions, boundaries are constantly being pushed at Richard Mille that includes a mission to create unusual and exceptional ladies’ movements. This is encapsulated by the brand’s very first in-house automatic-winding tourbillon used to power the RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman collection.

Designed with ten different dials and available in various permutations of stone settings and colours, the collection exemplifies watchmaking for contemporary women with a taste for the utmost.

RM 07-01 Carbon TPT®Bracelet

Highly focused and outstanding, Richard Mille’s ladies timepieces can be said to follow very closely behind its men’s collections in the choice of materials. In 2016, Richard Mille extended the use of its proprietary NTPT carbon, a signature feature of its men’s collections, to the case construction of its women’s collections that gave not only a striking and powerful appearance, but ensured optimal protection for the calibre.

Following this milestone, the brand charges along to mount its next apex by debuting a Richard MiIlle exclusive: gem-set NTPT carbon, which was applied to references RM 07-01 and RM 037.

Besides being a showcase of unmatched elegance, the brand’s technology of setting stones in cutting-edge materials like ceramic and Carbon TPT® is an achievement in technicity that has made it possible for the first time ever to combine 21st-century case materials with every type of setting, alongside enhancing the watches’ comfort and ease of use. The RM 037 and RM 07-01 in Carbon TPT® are available in both plain and gem-set versions.

RM 037 Carbon TPT®

Never one to rest on its laurels and paving the way for the brand’s next breakthrough is a full bracelet in Carbon TPT®, developed for the RM 07-01. This wristwatch is emblematic of and tailor-made for the multifaceted lives led by modern and remarkable women for its unparalleled lightness and strength, and sophistication and sportiness.

It can only be concluded that the variety and choice of settings, materials and stones in its ladies models—such as those reflected in RM 037 and RM 07-01—is symbolic of the achievement by the Richard Mille ladies collection in technicity, beyond the freedom of choice with options such as precious metal bracelets and straps in a plethora of of colours and materials.

Dedicated to creating the most extraordinary women’s timepieces imaginable, Richard Mille perfects its feminine realm that allows a woman to express and empower her personality, lifestyle and aspirations.

Visit richardmille.com to find out more.

This article was originally published on www.lofficielmalaysia.com.

Richard Mille congratulates Rafael Nadal’s 12th Roland Garros victory

Seated on one’s wrist, a civilian’s timepiece is prone to high velocity changes in direction as well as errant or clumsy knocks against pillars and metal bannisters – in the sporting world, the probability of damage increases by a multitude – take Rafael Nadal for example. In fact, the famed Nadal forehand creates so much power and topspin that it enables him to outplay his opponents. 

Over 10 years ago, Richard Mille began working with Nadal on punishing their prototypes. Needless to say, Rafael Nadal’s extreme lifestyle began breaking several million dollar timepieces, including one mundane but equally important aspect of functionality – water resistance whilst in the shower.

Richard Mille Congratulates Rafael Nadal’s 12th Roland Garros Victory

The winner of 17 Grand Slam singles titles out of 25 finals, a record holder of 33 Masters 1000 wins and now, a 12 time winner of Roland Garros, Nadal is second only to Roger Federer in terms of tennis accomplishments.

“I can’t explain what I’ve achieved and how I feel. It’s a dream,” – Rafael Nadal on 12th Roland Garros victory

The Spaniard beat Dominic Thiem at the Roland Garros final, winning for the third straight year with a 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory.

Richard Mille’s association with extreme athletes like Rafael Nadal is not unique. The brand has accrued a large following of extreme “watch testers” including sprinters like South African Wayde Van Niekerk and infamously, American Yohan Blake (fined for wearing his Richard Mille during the Olympics); in F1, Romain Grosjean; and recently, in Polo with Pablo MacDonough.

In 2017, Richard Mille launched the 7th timepiece specially designed to Nadal’s competitive tennis lifestyle – the RM 27-03. Chiefly noted for its 34 gram lightness courtesy of Quartz TPT – an ultra-light and tough material composed of layers of silica filaments and its divisive bright red-and-yellow “Ronald McDonald” aesthetics but really a homage to the Spaniard’s national colours; it’s peerless impact resistance for up to 10,000 Gs, not to mention the calibre mechanics that keep its tourbillon escapement safe from those forces and now, yet another Roland Garros win while worn by the man himself.

This article was originally published on www.luxuo.com.

Art and Watchmaking at the Chantilly Arts Et Elegance Richard Mille 2017

The art gallery within Château de Chantilly is among France’s largest exhibits

Due to the popularity of the holiday, most of the Western world is accustomed to the beautiful story of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus and how Christmas day marks the beginning of a new Earth (and testament). What’s little mentioned is the darker story behind the visit of the three wise men or Magi, in addition to bearing symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, they came with a warning that a de-stabilised political leader, King Herod, a family friend of Julius Caesar himself, was threatened by the prophecy of “the birth of a newborn king”. Mad with paranoia, King Herod the murder of all boys under the age of two in Bethlehem and the region.

Suffice it to say, the infant Jesus and family escaped and the rest, they say is history. This monumental event has been commemorated by countless artists in various depictions of Le Massacre des Innocents but in the 18th century, influential Italian aristocrat, banker and art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani commissioned Nicolas Poussin to do his own take. In painting his version of Massacre of the Innocents, Poussin defers from the other classical artists with his deft perspectives – where the others painted a literal massacre, Poussin reduced the mass slaughter to the perspective of just two: mother and child depicting the brutality on their faces, distancing his work from that of other artists which crammed their canvases full of infanticide and in the process, losing the emotionality of the moment.

If art chronicles man’s history and culture, watchmaking chronicles man’s progress. Early astrolabes and astronomical clocks assisted mankind’s agricultural progress and eventual industrial evolution.

What does this have to do with art and watchmaking one might ask? Where art chronicles the history and culture of man, watchmaking chronicles the history and progress (time and technology) of man. And so, on 9th and 10th September, the “Art et Elégance Richard Mille” event at the Château de Chantilly demonstrated the nigh matrimonial relationship between art and watchmaking; and more importantly, the emotionality present in both crafts and the people who indulge in them.

Watch and Art-lovers were thrilled with the kick-off to Chantilly Arts Et Elegance Richard Mille 2017 with an opening of the Inauguration of an exhibition dedicated to Poussin’s world renowned painting “Le Massacre des Innocents”. If art and watchmaking were soulmates as I proffer, the beginning of such a pivotal fair in the watchmaking world is marked by an equally pivotal moment in Christendom.

Richard Mille Chantilly Arts & Elegance 2017 in Chantilly, France on September 9 to 10. Photo credit: Antonin Vincent/DPPI

Watchmaking has shared and participated in crucial moments of human history – it assisted our agricultural development, served as a microcosm of engineering which prompted our industrial revolution, served as instruments of warfare, accompanied us to the moon and even returned Apollo 13 astronauts safely to Earth when we botched a mission to the Lunar surface. In kicking off Richard Mille’s Chantilly Arts Et Elegance 2017, Poussin’s seminal work served to focus the attention of the more introspective attendees on the shared history and connection between seemingly unconnected genres of human endeavour.

Richard Mille’s Artistic Director Mélanie Treton-Monceyron guided guests with the aid of talented young singers and dancers from Chantilly to the various artistic exhibits around Chateau grounds including a stunning mise en scène of Dali’s Metamorphosis of Narcissus and within the Museum itself, a moving rendition of “Hallelujah” in front of Picasso’s “Charnier”. In the presence of so much art, one might even have been forgiven for mistaking this as some frou-frou artfaire rather than the 4th edition of the world class automobile contest attracting over 16,000 visitors, a 20% increase in turnout – 90 classic cars competed in the Concours d’Etat and close to 800 participated in the Grand Prix des Clubs.

McLaren RM-50-03, the lightest tourbillon split-second chronograph, inspired by the McLaren P1 – a melding of super watchmaking technology and super car.

Cars and watchmaking, by virtue of gears and mechanisms, share a symbiotic relationship as well but supercars, by virtue of their superior engineering, breathe a rarified air with a higher breed of high performance watches – watches like the limited edition RM27-03 Rafael Nadal Tourbillon which can withstand 10,000 Gs of force equivalent to over 3000 space shuttle launches the McLaren RM-50-03, the lightest tourbillon split-second chronograph but I digress.

The Chantilly Arts Et Elegance Richard Mille 2017 saw Saturday’s first rally saw classic cars kicking off the Concours d’Etat, with the sportier supercars showcased on the second rally. On display were the most famous electric cars in automobile history, from 1899 to the present: the renowned Jamais-Contente from 1899, the first vehicle ever to clear 100 km/hr, and the avant-garde Porsche Mission E, boasting 600 hp and a 500-km range. Yet, even in the face of all this technology, the highlights of the event were still deeply classic – A legendary Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa stood side by side with a 250 GTO, all participants of the Le Mans 24 Hours, were on display in celebration of Ferrari’s 70th anniversary. Like classic watches, vintage cars are always in demand and in vogue.

Classic cars like the Bugatti 57 S Atlantic were on display at the Richard Mille Chantilly Arts & Elegance 2017 in Chantilly, France. Photo: Antonin Vincent/DPPI

Among the guests of Chantilly Arts Et Elegance 2017 were Richard Mille collaborators like Mutaz Barshim, Felipe Massa, Romain Grosjean, Jean Todt, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Alain Prost, all basking in a confluence of high technology, classic watchmaking, classic art and classic cars, headlined within the Richard Mille lounge around a Delahaye MS 135 coupé CHAPRON 1937 and serenaded by French music from the Belle Epoque – how’s that for artistic and historical synergy?

Equestrian show performed by Mario Lurashi and his team at the Richard Mille Chantilly Arts & Elegance 2017 in Chantilly, France. Photo credit: Antonin Vincent/DPPI

On Sunday, a rousing equestrian show performed by Mario Lurashi and his team (ironic if poetic that we still refer to the performance characteristics of modern cars by units of horsepower) preceded the award ceremony which bestowed the Richard Mille Concours d’Élégance prizes on the Renault Trezor — an electric-drive sport coupe GT — and the Citroën CXPERIENCE & Yang Li.

Prizes for Best of Show were conferred on the unbelievably curvaceous Pre-War Bugatti 57 S Atlantic from 1936, and a Post-War 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. It wasn’t just Art and Elegance which joined on the weekend of September 2017, it was an alchemical cocktail of soulful art and emotional engineering.

Words by Jonathan Ho.

Save

Save

Save