The 5 Most Expensive Richard Mille Watches Sold At Auction

R ichard Mille has redefined the watchmaking industry with its avant-garde designs, cutting-edge technology and exceptional craftsmanship. Over the years, Richard Mille has released a series of groundbreaking timepieces that have captivated collectors worldwide. During this period Sotheby's has been at the forefront of bringing these extraordinary watches to market, drawing upon the expertise of our global network of watch specialists. This article explores the top 5 selling Richard Mille watches sold through our watch auctions, highlighting their unique features, provenance, and the allure that makes them such coveted pieces for collectors.

Richard Mille RM 53-02 Sapphire Tourbillon Circa 2022, 35,540,000 HKD

This Richard Mille RM 53-02 Sapphire Tourbillon sold for 35,540,000 HKD in October 2023. This Richard Mille watch model stands as one of the most daring creations in the brand's repertoire. With a case crafted almost entirely from blue sapphire crystal, this watch required over 1000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship to achieve its glare-proof, sleek finish. The transparent sapphire case provided a three-dimensional view of the double skeletonized baseplate that houses the impressive cable-suspended tourbillon movement. This movement, held in place by braided cables just 0.27 mm thick, showcased the Richard Mille commitment to pushing the boundaries of horological engineering. This was further exemplified by the use of lightweight titanium screws and advanced materials throughout the watch.

This Richard Mille watch is a rarity of its kind. Only 8 pieces of the Richard Mille RM 53-02 were produced, making it a grail piece for discerning collectors. The RM 53-02’s unique design and rarity solidified its status as one of the most impressive timepieces to grace the modern watch world.

Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon Bubba Watson Circa 2022, 15,575,000 HKD

This Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon Bubba Watson was sold for auction at 15,575,000 HKD in October 2023. This Richard Mille watch model symbolizes the brand's longstanding collaboration with elite sports people, blending high performance with bold designs. Created in partnership with the professional golfer Bubba Watson, this watch was designed to withstand the intense shocks and accelerations experienced during a golf swing. The RM 38-02 achieves this with an engineering marvel that can endure shocks of up to 10,000 G. Its immense power did not sacrifice form. The model maintained a slim profile with a thickness of just 9.19 mm.

Produced in a numbered limited edition of 50 pieces, the Richard Mille RM 38-02 was the first watch in the Richard Mille Bubba Watson series to feature his signature hot pink color. This color not only adds to the watch’s striking appearance but also ties it to the golfer’s personal style and achievements. The collaboration between Richard Mille and Bubba Watson has resulted in a timepiece that embodies both technical excellence and aesthetic boldness, which made it a sought-after model among collectors.

Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire Tourbillon Circa 2015, 14,500,000 HKD

This Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire Tourbillon was sold for 14,500,000 HKD in October 2017. This Richard Mille watch was originally created for the 2015 Hong Kong Watches & Wonder event and is a masterpiece of transparency and innovation. Its entire case, including the front bezel, caseband, and back bezel, is cut from solid blocks of sapphire. Sapphire is a material renowned for its scratch resistance and clarity. Furthermore, this timepiece features a cable and pulley system that suspends the movement within the sapphire case, a testament to Richard Mille's relentless pursuit of technical perfection. This innovative concept was originally borrowed from the Richard Mille RM 27-01 Nadal watch.

The production of the Richard Mille RM 56-02 was an arduous process, taking up to 40 days to create a single case and an additional 400 hours to craft the sapphire bridge. With only 10 pieces ever produced, the RM 56-02 is a rare collector’s item that represents the pinnacle of Richard Mille’s innovation and craftsmanship.

Richard Mille RM 52-05 Pharrell Williams Circa 2020, 12,550,000 HKD

This Richard Mille RM 52-05 was sold for 12,550,000 HKD in October 2023. In 2019, Richard Mille collaborated with Pharrell Williams to create the Richard Mille RM 52-05 to reflect the artist’s childhood fascination with space. The dial was personally designed by Pharrell, who remains a brand ambassador, and depicted an astronaut on Mars with Earth reflected in the visor. His vision was brought to life through hand-engraving, grand feu enamel, and hand-painting techniques. The visor was made of grade 5 titanium and was attached to a titanium spacesuit with aventurine glass inserts that represented the vastness of space.

The Richard Mille RM 52-05’s case is crafted from brown Cermet, a material that combines the lightness of titanium with the hardness of ceramic. This construction not only adds to the watch’s durability but also enhances its aesthetic appeal with a stunning metallic reflection. Limited to just 30 pieces, the Richard Mille RM 52-05 is a bold and artistic creation that captures Pharrell Williams' creative vision and the Richard Mille brand's commitment to innovation.

Richard Mille RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal Prototype 3 Circa 2014, 1,270,000 CHF

This Richard Mille RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal was sold for 1,270,000 CHF in May 2024. This Richard Mille watch was a result of a groundbreaking partnership between the luxury watchmaker and the tennis legend Rafael Nadal. This example with its ultra-lightweight tourbillon weighed only 19 grams including the strap. It was designed to withstand the extreme shocks and movements encountered during professional tennis, trademarks of Nadal's physically demanding style. The movement baseplate and tourbillon carriage are crafted from grade 5 titanium, while the barrel bridges and gears are made from an aluminum-lithium alloy to ensure both strength and lightness.

The Richard Mille RM 27-01 watch’s movement was suspended by four braided steel cables, which allowed it to withstand accelerations of up to 5000 G. Its monobloc case was made of gray anthracite polymer injected with carbon nanotubes and provided exceptional durability and shock resistance. Limited to 50 pieces worldwide, the Richard Mille RM 27-01 is even more exclusive as a prototype, engraved with ‘PROTO 03’. The rarity of this cutting-edge design made the RM 27-01 Richard Mille watch a highly coveted piece among collectors.

A Richard Mille Warranty, accompanying product literature, document holder, spare red fabric and rubber strap, spare grey fabric and rubber strap, screwdriver and travel pouch sold alongside the aforementioned Richard Mille RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal Prototype 3.

Richard Mille has consistently pushed the boundaries of watchmaking, creating timepieces that are not only technologically advanced but also visually stunning. The top five selling Richard Mille watches at Sotheby’s exemplify the brand’s commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and rarity. Each watch tells a unique story through its design, its collaboration with sports and entertainment icons, and its engineering feats. For collectors, these watches are not just timepieces but symbols of a pioneering spirit that continues to redefine the world of haute horology.

Source Your Next Richard Mille Luxury Watch

At Sotheby’s our leading watch specialists regularly bring Richard Mille watches to market, drawing upon our expertise to provide a trusted source for these extraordinary watches. If you are curious about the value of your Richard Mille watch, or would like guidance on a watch offered in one of our auctions, Sotheby's is on hand to support as a trusted partner.