Cool White in Cambodian Tropical Climes: an on-the-wrist review of the Richard Mille RM055.

Feb 19, 2013,01:10 AM
 



This message has been edited by 219 on 2013-02-19 01:10:41 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-02-19 07:47:39 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-03-03 09:52:13


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Cool White in Cambodian Tropical Climes.

 
 By: 219 : February 19th, 2013-01:11
As you walk out of airport terminal, the heat, the humidity; it hits you full in the face. Hours of flying in pressurized air-conditioned temperature controlled tin cans nulls the senses; the jet-lag only seems to anaesthetize them further. But the humidi...  

In Siem Reap without the Richard Mille RM055

 
 By: MTF : February 24th, 2013-13:39
Andrew, Thanks for the mini-review 'White Paper' about the RM055, which seems a most appropriate timepiece for the tropical traveller. Some of us have to make do with this: There are other compensations even without the cool white in Cambodian climes... T...  

The Man with the White Watch!

 
 By: 219 : February 19th, 2013-01:12
It seems strange now that I was ever against the white RM watch. I remember thinking what was the point of it! There have been other white watches before in a variety of materials: the white ceramic of Chanel comes to mind, and down the years, there has s...  

The Details in the Shadows.

 
 By: 219 : February 19th, 2013-01:13
Where as the case and the strap are white, the movement is darkened in both colour and tone. The difference in finishing across the skeletonized plates, and the elements of the drive train, gives the movement a three-dimensional aspect and depth to it. Th...  

The White Heat of Technology!

 
 By: 219 : February 19th, 2013-01:14
Back in the 1960’s, when the Villa Princiere was being built, and the world believed in what new technology and design would deliver, Tony Benn, then Minister for Technology for the UK Government spoke about the ‘white heat of technology’. There is an ama...  

What a thread. Thanks for the comprehensive report.

 
 By: Iceman : February 19th, 2013-01:22
I am so jealous. This is no doubt one of RM best creation ashethicaly. Congrates

Many thanks my friend. nt.

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:01
nt

Great review...

 
 By: dms : February 19th, 2013-01:43
Great review. Thanks Andrew. Reading you is always very enjoyable.

Thanks for many reasons...

 
 By: Fricks : February 19th, 2013-06:05
1st of all of the superbly written post, helped escap and almost join you in cambodgia. 2nd, you've helped making peace with a brand in which i have fallen out of love with. There is definitly something original, out of the ordinary and that deserves to b... 

Sounds as if you play hard to get! But my thanks for

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:03
reading and 'hearing' me out. Worth a look - believe me. Andrew H

That watch is way cool

 
 By: SJX : February 19th, 2013-07:04
regardless of the technical content or price-value proposition. Thanks for the review Andrew. - SJX

Thanks - but then emotion and logical thoughts about

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:04
a watch are never really connected! Hope all is well with you. Andrew H

Thanks for the reports! And a question

 
 By: cazalea : February 19th, 2013-07:35
Yesterday I was shown this watch, and the dealer referred to a similar model, but without tourbillon, that he considered equally good-looking, and a much better value. But he didn't have that one to show me. Having not followed the development of ultra-li...  

Let me answer a few words until Andrew replies

 
 By: Mark in Paris : February 19th, 2013-11:36
Yes Calzalea, they are both "Bubba Watson" watches, the RM038 with Tourbillon and the RM055 without (the Tourbillon has smaller dimensions than the other one). A bit like the "Raphael Nadal" RM027 (Tourbillon) and the RM035 without. The difference you saw... 

Thank you. Incredibly complex and I wonder

 
 By: cazalea : February 19th, 2013-17:19
With the very small numbers made, and unique calibers, and esoteric materials AND finishing, how can RM ever amortize the development? That\'s why the prices are so high, eh? Cazalea

Exactly and....

 
 By: Mark in Paris : February 20th, 2013-01:14
It's been several years they are used to training in crafting these materials so I guess now they can amortize the investments in time and research. Furthermore, the production is I think around 2500/3000 pieces a year, so a bit more than many ofther inde... 

Mark is right! On all counts. I don't know if you read

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:06
but Richard Mille as a brand (awareness factors etc) has grown 61 percent in the last year. I was going to write 'slowly but surely', but not really! Quickly and absolutely, Richard is winning the arguments! Andrew H

Outstanding

 
 By: nacho217 : February 19th, 2013-13:25
Excellent report of an incredible watch , thanks for it

Perhaps the RM055 will forge a new trend of white...

 
 By: MichaelC : February 19th, 2013-08:09
Andrew, the review is terrific. You make me want to go try this watch! Thanks for the report.

And you should! Next time you can drag yourself away

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:08
from the delights of your local AP Boutique, go and try the RM055. For the Florida or NY (summer - or winter too come to think of it) vibe, it would be near perfect! Andrew H

HQ review.

 
 By: VMM : February 19th, 2013-08:41
Great reading and pictures. The RM 055 sure looks like a different and exclusive timepiece, even more wearing it in a hostile place as Cambodia. I went there last october, and it was an unforgettable experience, I'll come back for sure. Hope you've enjoye... 

Thanks Andrew...

 
 By: jporos : February 19th, 2013-09:40
for a greater understanding of the technology packed into a Richard Mille and an actual test of performance (besides being on the wrists of superathletes!)

Very entertaining report.

 
 By: Mark in Paris : February 19th, 2013-11:22
Are you an official RM055 tester or is it yours Andrew! Anyway, thanks a lot for this text + pictures journey with this RM055 you told us in a very appropriate way. In Europe it is these days the kind of environnement we desire to enter soon! I easily can... 

Actually....

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:11
its the prototype RM055. Hence, it had gone through some other wrists before mine further emphasising the robust whiteness of the watch. Nice to be a tester and play with the watch for a while; however, on this occasion, there was a great deal of regret i... 

Loved the contrast...

 
 By: patrick_y : February 19th, 2013-13:04
Hot Cambodia, cool ceramic. Vintage Mercedes-Benz, Modern Richard Mille White to Black Ceramic, to rubber, to flesh... Sweet watch, to Spicy pepper, to Sour lime... Thanks for sharing the journey, the journey of the watch, and the journey of Cambodia. I s... 

Thanks Patrick for reading and the kind words.

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:14
Richard is constantly improving his watches and I think the white strap may have been developed further to retain its 'whiteness'. I know early versions of the RM038 did suffer from a 'greying' (Bubba Watson's watch - own personal one - showed the same). ... 

Well, well, thank you very much Andrew.....

 
 By: Sandgroper : February 20th, 2013-00:35
back in January, while visiting Geneva I went to say hello to Robert at the Richard Mille Boutique in the Kempinsky Hotel. He was very nice and showed me few RM which I found very intriguing but I have to admit, I said to him that these were not at all my... 

Not sure which area of DownUnder you are

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:15
resident in, but surely for days at Doyles' in Sydney, the RM055 would be perfect?? :) Andrew H

Doyle's was very nice...in the past! I leave on the "Western Front"..

 
 By: Sandgroper : February 20th, 2013-03:36
Perth, Western Australia! Where the sand on the beach is as white as the RM of which you have just made a lovely review. Oh! It is also the land where these bloody Pplaters live, they are all over the roads but no where to be seen for a nice cool drink:):... 

Have sailed my time in Fremantle!

 
 By: 219 : February 23rd, 2013-09:19
Beautiful part of the world. A Richard Mille watch for a regatta in your part of the world would be a cool thing. Nothing like sailing in DownUnder waters! Andrew H

Hey Andrew, let me know next time......

 
 By: Sandgroper : February 23rd, 2013-19:22
you are mooring in Freo! I'll come pick you up:) Cheers. Francois

I was convinced of white materials for watches...

 
 By: dxboon : February 20th, 2013-07:04
...a few years ago when I "test drove" the ROO Montauk. Non-WIS in particular seem drawn to white watches, so I'm not surprised that passersby stopped for a second look at the RM. I actually like the case very much, and as usual Richard Mille is all about... 

Thanks Daos - and can appreciate the sentiments. I was there

 
 By: 219 : February 23rd, 2013-09:22
Myself before actually wearing the watch for myself. Your viewpoint changes! :) Thanks Andrew H

excellent pictures!

 
 By: mjnoumoff : February 20th, 2013-14:17
and writing. thank you for sharing!!

Nice read Andrew. Thnx. nt

 
 By: fomar : February 19th, 2013-07:48
...

Thanks a lot Andrew for this comprehensive review.

 
 By: foversta : February 19th, 2013-13:51
The watch summarizes perfectly what I think of this trend: outstanding work, high technology, great movement... but I don't feel it is a luxury watch. Too light, a rendering of the new materials which is close to plastic (sorry to say again in addition of... 

Luxury is not in the nature of materials, but in the nature

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:30
of the work to shape and finish the materials. Any watch movement, in any watch, will demonstrate that. Sure, plastic, but one that is harder than steel or gold; more difficult to machine and finish appropriately; more needed from the workmanship to use a... 

Is that not all we ever have left? How we relate, how

 
 By: 219 : February 24th, 2013-02:15
the article feels on our wrist, where we were, what time it was.... All that truly remains are the memories. But the watch will be there. The materials used are as robust and long term as any other. Andrew H

Your reference to . . .

 
 By: Dr No : February 19th, 2013-14:35
. . . The Man in the White Suit wasn't the only similitude that came to my mind, Andrew. Is it just a coincidence that you bear at least a passing resemblance . . . . . . to Mr Clean? :-) Perhaps not. Actually, a resemblance to Alec Guinness . . . . . . w... 

You are too kind, and Alec Guinness always seemed

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:32
to play the anti-hero - which I loved. Not looking forward to the Hollywood remake on this one! If there ever is! Andrew H

Awesome review of the RM055 Andrew!

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : February 19th, 2013-19:53
I'm impressed with the non-porosity of the ATZ as you describe it. For example, if a RM055 owner is cooking and accidently gets a lot of cooking oil on his watch, the non-porosity of the ATZ would enable to owner to easily wash the oil off without the oil... 

Good idea for a test. But yes, it does take forever to machine the bezel!

 
 By: 219 : February 20th, 2013-02:33
Thats part of the costing and the element that makes the watch difficult to produce. Thanks Andrew H

Awesome write up and report!

 
 By: milenium : February 20th, 2013-22:53
Great write up and report Andrew! That first picture almost fooled me into thinking it was the "other brother" of the white RM 055 :) When can we expect a report on that one?

Not sure of the RM055's dark twin. Probably not!

 
 By: 219 : February 24th, 2013-02:11
Only 50 pieces, and most already spoken for at dealers, chances are I won't get to see it outside of SIHH! Have to wait for an owner to write that one up - please - anyone? Andrew H

nice white

 
 By: champion.watches : March 5th, 2013-12:06
nice watch, excellent technoloogy