Richard Mille Prototype of the RM 056 soon to be up for auction Christie’s Auction house on the 21st June 2017.  This is a rare watch indeed proper rad in very way features casing made of crystal with sapphire glass and a stunning Tourbillon movement which always bring high price tags. In 2012 the first RM 056 was introduced which boasted an all sapphire crystal case in the standard Richard Mille casing.  It was a masterpiece in itself with no less than 800 hours machine manufacturing work.

The all sapphire case let you see the stunning slit second chronograph movement which was similar to RM 008.  I suppose this is better than the see through casebacks most watch manufactures have that when the watch is on your wrist is pointless to see the movement.  The casing, middle, bezel and back of the RM 056, had to be milled from solid blocks of sapphire using a diamond-tipped cutter, and the whole watch was held together by Richard Mille’s signature spline screws which are very distinct on Richard Mille timepieces. The watches basically been made up of all sapphire must be put together with great precision as one little mistake and crack!!

The complex process of making such a high level Richard Mille only made five examples of the initial Tourbillon Split Seconds Competition Chronograph RM 056 Felipe Massa Sapphire. But these sold for $1650000 So hence this is a rare watch with auction estimates of $1000000 to $15000000 which seems a good price fora prototype. I just wonder how many different ones Richard Mille can make as they all have look the same to me bar different materials, movements etc…

The Richard Mille watches are not for the faint very expensive but very well made. and loved by some on the rich and famous I doubt I will ever own one too ostentatious for me and too much money!

Picture courtesy off Evolution.