I've always respected Richard Mille Watches and Renaud & Papi for their material science developments.
The price-to-horology ratio?.....Not so much! Too expensive for what you get --- not optimum for regular collectors.
But who said RM collectors are "regular' people?
But for a piece unique with experimental construction technique and Boucheron stripes?......maybe 'justified'.
Truth be told, I quite like the Boucheron stripes. This may be a winner!
Regards,
MTF
PS. The techniques of working with semi-precious stones stem from Audemar Piguet and Messrs.Renaud & Papi working on past R&D for AP movements.
But they purposely did NOT patent the techniques, as a quirky way to prevent copying; documentation is not public knowledge. Re-inventing the wheel indeed!
This message has been edited by MTF on 2010-03-10 20:59:11