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L4P Review™ Richard Mille 005

34K views 33 replies 28 participants last post by  kasaasta 
#1 · (Edited)
Richard Mille 005 in White Gold

Brand History:

Mille’s love and passion to mechanics are the foundation of this company. “I wanted to carry out Formula One of the watch industry”, says Mille. As a result, the Richard Mille watch is a breakthrough in the watch-making concept. The sophisticated movement, the dial, fantastic functionality and elegant case were integrated in the cutting edge design concept of the watch. This design concept is also vastly ergonomical. In addition to that, he also creates a sophisticated tourbillon that can be thrown to the ground and survive the shock. Every little detail component was manufactured to the highest watch making standards.

The Watch:




Richard Mille left his job in 1998 and started working on designing his own wrist watch, within 3 years time all of the research and development had been done and this resulted in the RM001, in only 7 years after he has created nearly 20 different watches and is still stunning the world with each piece..



Today i will focus on the 005 Model, this model is the Father of the modern 010 and shares many similarities... the biggest difference is the 005 is smaller in all dimensions... i would say about 10% smaller.



the 005 pictures is the White Gold model, hard to distinguish between the titanium model the main difference being the WG models have a polished edge and polished anglage around the screws.



Each model 005 has a full titanium movement, PVD coated and tested to be much stronger than any other movement, the 005's movement is somewhat skeletonized to view the inner workings but not nearly as skeletonized as modern 010.



The Dial itself might look non existent but it is actually a sapphire crystal coated with anti reflective material, look below this dial and you will notice the date wheel is also a sapphire crystal coated ot only with anti reflective material but also PVD coated with each date... these dates blend into the movement because they share the same color but when overlayed on the white square at 7:00 the date is clearly visible and seems to free float on the dial.



other interesting parts that make a Richard Mille watch unique are the inner bezel flange which at first just seems to be black plastic or black coated metal is actually forged carbon fibre with his logo and minute counters applied. the rotor employs a variable geometry system where the rotor can be adjusted to the wearers needs... this is put to use if the wearer is not very active and the watch seems to not stay wound.. one can "increase" the weight of the rotor by moving the masses outwards to wind easier... the opposite can be done for someone that is highly active to reduce stress on the watch.



The watch has a dual barrel system which is commonly seen on movements with 8-10 day power reserves.. while this watch only carries a 60 hour power reserve the dual barrels are used to improve the stability of torque over the 60 hours, this also improves long term performance... think more torque=more robust=longer lasting.



Straps that accomany the watch are either leather/croco/ or kevlar... all of which are painstakingly designed to work with the case perfectly, the croco straps are not only croco on the outside but also wrapped with belly skin on the inside for comfort.



The hands of the watch have super luminova for viewing the time in the dark but also have polished and sandblasted areas so to ensure optimal legibility.



the 005 has a tang buckle which is cut from solid white gold for this model, usually one might notice the actual tang of most watches is just a bent piece of metal but great detail has been put into this tang ensuring top quality.



the box set for a richard mille watch is one of the most amazing box sets available from a manufacturer.. the main box of leather is shaped the same as the case of the watch, with a special slot that only fits the watch purchased, the lid has a spot countersunk from it to keep the watch from moving when closed, this is then places in several other boxes one inside the other.. the papers are accompanied by their very own calf skin "pouch" and a fine cleaning cloth stamped with Mille's name enclosed as well.



MSRP has changed several times over the past years, the 005 is one of the cheapest models Richard Mille makes @ $57,000.00 USD.. one thing common to RM is the price difference between his watches of different metals stays pretty close, Rose gold only being a few thousand above titanium, and White gold only a few thousand above Rose.. this shows that he is only increasing the price based on metals price and additional cost to shape.. not making some ridiculous increased based on case metal alone.



My Thoughts:
I feel that Richard Mille watches are some of the best watches for the price today, everything built to a very high standard and backed by amazing customer service. the watches keep impeccable time and the quality is superb. Richard Mille also does not "joke around" with his finer pieces... every year turning out one stunning new concept piece after another. Maybe my love for RM has to do with them being partially owned by Audemars Piguet but i feel all in all they are great timepieces and a cut above the rest.






And a sneak peek at the movement of the next Richard Mille watch to be reviewed...

*picture thanx to puristspro review
 
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#3 ·
Wow very nice Riley, like it a lot, too bad these are the only pic's we'll see since you'll be selling it tomorrow LOL!
 
#5 ·
it's long gone.. as i stated before.. only pictures you guys/anyone on the internet will be seeing of me will be of previously owned pieces from now on.. this is to make sure any post i make is not considered commercialized or disingenuous at all. merely only reviews and my opinions of each piece that i have worn and abused.
 
#4 ·
Beautiful, Great Review RI! Keep'em coming!
 
#12 ·
hey steve!. welcome to the jungle that is L4P!. you know much more than i do on RM.. i hope i didnt make any mistakes..

the Richard Mille "tonneau" shaped watch as above is by far the most comfortable watch one will EVER and i mean EVER wear... the curvature of the case back coupled with how the strap is fitted to the case makes it feel almost invisible on the wrist.. couple all that with their tang and its sublime.. (i do not care for the deployant as much)
 
#14 ·
another great review of an unbelievable watch

if you had to choose between this and the Urwerk...what would it be, and why?
 
#31 ·
Same here. One day I will have one...
 
#28 ·
I love the RM's... Thanks for the review :)
 
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