The 5 Most Expensive Richard Mille Watches Sold At Auction

Richard Mille has revolutionized modern watchmaking with its avant-garde designs, groundbreaking engineering, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Since its founding in 2001, the brand has continuously defied conventions, blending high-performance technology with bold aesthetics. Richard Mille timepieces are renowned for their meticulous construction, the use of innovative materials, and collaborations with world-class athletes and celebrities.

At Sotheby’s, our global team of watch specialists has brought some of the most exceptional Richard Mille watches to auction, captivating collectors worldwide. This article highlights the five most expensive Richard Mille watches ever sold through our auctions, exploring the remarkable craftsmanship, rarity, and cultural significance that make them so highly sought after.

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. As one of the most daring creations in the brand’s repertoire, this model showcases Richard Mille’s mastery of both aesthetics and engineering. Encased almost entirely in blue sapphire crystal, the RM 53-02 required over 1,000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship to achieve its sleek, glare-proof finish. This level of transparency offers an unparalleled view of its intricate mechanics, including the cable-suspended tourbillon movement.

Supported by braided cables just 0.27 mm thick, the movement is a triumph of micro-engineering, ensuring exceptional shock resistance. The use of lightweight titanium screws and cutting-edge materials further underscores Richard Mille’s commitment to innovation. With only eight pieces ever produced, the RM 53-02 is a true collector’s grail. Its fusion of cutting-edge technology and artistic elegance secures its place as one of the most extraordinary timepieces in modern horology.

Richard Mille Watch — Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon Bubba Watson

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

This Richard Mille RM 38-02 Tourbillon Bubba Watson sold for 15,575,000 HKD in October 2023. This watch exemplifies Richard Mille’s dedication to precision engineering for elite athletes. Designed in collaboration with professional golfer Bubba Watson, this model is built to withstand the immense forces experienced during a golf swing.

Engineered to endure shocks of up to 10,000 G, the RM 38-02 is a marvel of durability without compromising its sleek design. At just 9.19 mm thick, it maintains a slim, ergonomic profile ideal for high-performance wear. The watch also introduced Bubba Watson’s signature hot pink color, a bold aesthetic choice that reflects both the golfer’s personality and his long-standing partnership with Richard Mille.

Limited to only 50 pieces, this timepiece blends technical ingenuity with striking visual appeal, making it a highly desirable model for collectors and sports enthusiasts alike.

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

This Richard Mille RM 56-02 Sapphire Tourbillon sold for 14,500,000 HKD in October 2017. This timepiece showcases an entirely sapphire case—bezel, caseband, and caseback—offering unmatched clarity and durability. The RM 56-02’s movement is suspended by a revolutionary cable-and-pulley system, adapted from the RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal model. This complex mechanism not only enhances shock resistance but also creates the illusion of a floating movement, highlighting the brand’s mastery of mechanical artistry.

Crafting a single sapphire case required up to 40 days, while an additional 400 hours were dedicated to sculpting the sapphire bridge. With only 10 examples ever made, the RM 56-02 is one of the rarest and most technically advanced watches in the Richard Mille collection..

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

Bridging the worlds of music, art, and haute horology, the Richard Mille RM 52-05 sold for 12,550,000 HKD in October 2023. Designed in collaboration with the multi-talented musician and producer, this model draws inspiration from Pharrell’s lifelong fascination with space.

The watch’s dial features an astronaut on Mars, with Earth reflected in the visor—a masterpiece created through a combination of hand-engraving, grand feu enamel, and meticulous hand-painting techniques. The visor, crafted from grade 5 titanium, is set against a titanium spacesuit adorned with aventurine glass inserts, capturing the vastness of space.

The case is constructed from brown Cermet, an advanced composite material combining the lightness of titanium with the scratch resistance of ceramic. Limited to just 30 pieces, the RM 52-05 is a remarkable fusion of artistic vision and technical expertise, embodying both Richard Mille’s innovation and Pharrell Williams’ creative genius.

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

This Richard Mille RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal sold for 1,270,000 CHF in May 2024. Developed in collaboration with tennis icon Rafael Nadal, this ultra-lightweight tourbillon model weighs just 19 grams, including the strap. The movement is suspended by four braided steel cables, allowing it to withstand accelerations of up to 5,000 G—essential for surviving the rigorous shocks of professional tennis. The baseplate and tourbillon carriage are crafted from grade 5 titanium, while the barrel bridges and gears utilize an aluminum-lithium alloy, ensuring maximum durability with minimal weight.

The monobloc case, composed of gray anthracite polymer reinforced with carbon nanotubes, offers exceptional resilience. With only 50 pieces produced, the RM 27-01 is already an exclusive model, but as a prototype engraved with ‘PROTO 03,’ this particular watch is even rarer, solidifying its status as a collector’s dream.

Richard Mille has redefined the boundaries of haute horology, blending artistry, advanced engineering, and exclusivity into each of its timepieces. The five watches highlighted here are more than just extraordinary timepieces; they represent the brand’s unwavering pursuit of perfection and its ability to merge cutting-edge technology with striking design.

Whether through pioneering materials, innovative mechanics, or creative collaborations with athletes and artists, Richard Mille continues to captivate collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Each of these auctioned masterpieces tells a unique story—one of ambition, craftsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of horological excellence.

Advantages to Buying Richard Mille Watches on the Secondary Market

1. Access

Sotheby’s provides exclusive access to a curated selection of Richard Mille watches from its long established global network of sellers. As a premier auction house, Sotheby’s offers exceptional Richard Mille timepieces, from iconic classics to rare references. Our watch specialists are dedicated to sourcing the most desirable Richard Mille models from around the world.

2. Flexibility

Sotheby’s provides a concierge service to help source specific Richard Mille watch models not available online. Sotheby’s watch specialists bring decades of expertise in evaluating, authenticating, and presenting Richard Mille watches at auction.

3. Value

While authorized Richard Mille boutiques offer their latest collections, finding specific models—especially those with strong collector demand—can be challenging due to availability constraints. Sotheby’s auctions present a unique opportunity to acquire rare, discontinued, and highly sought-after Richard Mille watches that may not be obtainable through traditional retail channels.

4. Discovery

One of the greatest advantages of participating in a global luxury auction is the thrill of discovering rare and unique Richard Mille timepieces that are no longer available at retail. Sotheby’s auction catalog is continuously updated with fresh offerings, ensuring an ever-evolving selection of new and exclusive Richard Mille timepieces for collectors.

Buy and Sell Richard Mille Watches at Sotheby's

Sotheby’s offers a curated selection of the finest Richard Mille watches through auctions held in New York, Paris, Zurich, and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Richard Mille models in every sale, ranging from rare historical models to contemporary masterpieces, showcasing the brand’s unmatched craftsmanship and innovation.

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