Richard Mille - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Richard Mille
    Year: Circa 2016
    Reference No: RM055 Ti-TZP
    Movement No: 189’449
    Case No: 15/50
    Model Name: RM055 Bubba Watson Asia Exclusive
    Material: Black ceramic
    Calibre: Manual, cal. RMUL2, 24 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Rubber
    Clasp/Buckle: Titanium Richard Mille deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 49.5mm length x 42mm width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Richard Mille invoice, folder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Regarded as one of the most sought-after, collectible and innovative young firms of high horology, Richard Mille has become a league of its own through its impressive creations and mechanical excellence. Driven by the world of sports, inspired and designed in collaboration with professionals and masters of the field, the innovative process of Richard Mille timepieces is like none other.
    First released in 2014, the RM055 Bubba Watson was the result of the collaboration between Richard Mille and long-time friend, ambassador and 12-time PGA American champion golfer, Bubba Watson. With a quest to create the best wristwatch to be worn for golf, the aim was to design a wristwatch able to withstand vibration whilst maintaining its precision timekeeping.

    Cased in a black ceramic case with a rubber-coated grade 5 titanium caseband and back in the firm’s most iconic tonneau-shaped case, it displays a fully skeletonized dial showcasing the firm’s innovated cal. RMUL2. An extremely well-executed, the movement that weighs an impressively light 4.3 grams is held and secured by four shock absorbers that create a link between the external framework and the movement itself, therefore protecting the movement against all vibrations.

    Although at first glance, the movement may seem simple, but it is rather the opposite as it is executed to the highest level. To add stiffness, the movement is composed entirely of grade 5 titanium bridges and baseplates coated with black PVD. With hand polished bevels and grain finishing on all flat components with burnished pivots, screw slots and screw bevels, it is certainly up to haute horology standards resulting in the striking movement architecture and appeal that is displayed in the RM055. With a power reserve of 55 hours achieved by its double barrel mechanism improving the movement’s torque stability by reducing pressure and friction on the gears, the result is a better chronometric performance of the overall power reserve.

    The present example Richard Mille RM055 Bubba Watson was made exclusively for the Asian market and was made as a limited edition of 50 pieces. Differing from the original Bubba Watson in white, the present black ceramic case sandwiches a white rubber-coated titanium caseband to provide the best contrast. Light in weight, sleek and innovative in design as well as providing the best comfort any wristwatch can provide on the wrist, the RM055 Bubba Watson is a must have for active collectors who love a bit of action.

  • Artist Biography

    Richard Mille

    Swiss • 1999

    Established in 1999, Richard Mille's ultra-modern timepieces combine cutting-edge materials from high performance worlds such as Formula 1 racecars with high-end traditional watchmaking. The brand's revolutionary designs, technical breakthroughs and exceptional hand-finishing excite even the most discriminating collectors, and have positioned Richard Mille alongside the top makers of the modern luxury watch world.

    Innovative watches, such as the RM 027 Tourbillon, which was the world’s lightest mechanical watch when introduced in 2011, have helped the brand invert the concept of the luxury watch. Key models include the RM 009 Tourbillon cased in Aluminum Silicon Carbide (AlSiC), the RM 027-02 Tourbillon made for tennis star Rafael Nadal with a case made from quartz and carbon fiber and the RM 008 split seconds chronograph.

    View More Works

PLEASE NOTE, THIS LOT IS A PREMIUM LOT. TO BID ON THE LOT YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SATISFY OUR PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION PROCEDURE NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE AUCTION SESSION IN WHICH IT IS OFFERED. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT ALL BIDDERS MUST PLACE BIDS IN PERSON, VIA ABSENTEE BID, OR BY TELEPHONE. PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR DETAILS. Property from the Original Owner

890

Ref. RM055 Ti-TZP
A very fine and rare limited edition black ceramic skeletonized wristwatch with presentation box, numbered 15 of a limited edition of 50 pieces made exclusively for the Asian market

Circa 2016
49.5mm length x 42mm width
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$940,000 - 1,500,000 
€112,000-178,000
$121,000-192,000

Sold for HK$1,890,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)