The timepiece also retains the bold aesthetics of the Richard Mille brand and is renowned for its durability and flexibility. A true statement of true innovation, this watch's distinctive design and uncompromising performance have earned it critical praise from collectors and enthusiasts. Recognizing the flexibility of this timepiece, Richard Mille has also released limited edition variants, including the popular RM 029 Le Mans Classic, released in 2021.
History of The Richard Mille RM 029
Richard Mille is a relatively young brand compared to other companies in the luxury watchmaking business. The watchmaker’s first timepiece was released in 2001, just over two decades ago.
The RM 029 was launched in 2011, which means it has come a decade into the company's history. It is generally considered the successor to the RM 010 timepiece, launched in 2006. The 48 mm RM 010 was Richard Mille's first attempt to create a non-tourbillon wristwatch.
The RM 029 is a slightly slimmer version of this timepiece with better wearability. It builds on the RM 010’s identity as a stylish lifestyle timepiece and develops it even better. While both watches share several similarities, such as the tonneau-shaped case, sapphire dial, and skeletonized movement, the RM 029 features some notable improvements over the older timepiece.
The most notable of these is the addition of a big date window in the RM 029. Although the RM10 also has a date window, the date aperture is vertically positioned, while that of the Richard Mille 029 is positioned horizontally. The case is also 1mm thinner, which might not seem much but is a notable difference in the horological world.
Models and Variations
As a relatively successful Richard Mille timepiece, the brand has produced several modes and variations of the RM 029. This includes different material variants of the base model and a limited edition version for the Le Mans Classic event. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most notable models and variations of this watch.
The RM 029 Automatic
The original and most widely available RM 029 timepiece was released in 2011. It had a grade 5 titanium casing but was also available in rose and white gold variants for those who prefer a more luxurious construction. The 48 x 39.70mm timepiece had an oversized data display on the transparent dial and standard hours, minutes, and second functions.
RM 029 Automatic Le Mans Classic
This is a limited edition of the RM 029 released by Richard Mille in 2021. The watchmaker has sponsored the Le Mans Classic event since 2002 and has celebrated the yearly event by releasing a limited edition version of one of its watches.
The RM 029 Le Mans Classic was the eighth watch in the Le Mans Classic collection. It was characterized by a distinctive sporty aesthetic, with a green-and-white color on its tonneau casing to match the official Le Mans Classic colors. The same emblematic color was used on the bezel and sapphire dial between 6 and 7 o’clock. With 48.15 by 40.1mm dimensions, this watch was slightly bigger than the original.
The RM 029 Le Mans Classic was made from Quartz TPT instead of titanium like the original. In addition to the date functionality, this timepiece has a 24-hour display at the two o’clock position. Richard Mille only made 150 copies of this Le Mans Classic RM 029 timepiece.
RM 029 All Grey Boutique Edition
In 2014, Richard Mille released an even rarer variant of RM 029. This was the All Grey Boutique edition version, which was limited to a few pieces. It has the same design and features as the original but features an all grey blasted titanium casing. One variant of this all gray RM 029 was nicknamed the Yellow Flash because it has subtle yellow detailing on its dial and flange.
Features
The RM 029 is an aesthetically and technically advanced Richard Mille timepiece. While it breaks classic Haute Horlogerie codes, the watch stays true to the Richard Mille DNA with some notable features as highlighted below.
Casing and Materials
The RN 029 comes with the classic Richard Mille Tonneau casing. The case has three material options: titanium, white gold, and rose gold. The Richard Mille RM 029 rose gold model is very popular. The timepiece measures 48 mm by 39.70 mm, with a thickness of 12.60 mm.
In all three variants of the base mode, the baseplate, bridge, and balance-cock of the watch movement are made from grade 5 titanium, which makes them quite rigid and durable. The tripartite design of this watch further boosts its durability.
The RM 029 is designed to be water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters, thanks to using Nitril O-ring seals. The case is held together by 12 spline screws also made from grade 5 titanium and has stainless steel abrasion-resistant washers.
Movement and Features
This Richard Mille watch is powered by the Caliber RMAS7 movement. This skeletonized Richard Mille RM 029 automatic movement has date, hours, minutes, and seconds functionality. The movement features 32 jewels and beats at a frequency of 4Hz and 55 hours of power reserve. It is one of the most popular Richard Mille movements used in other iconic timepieces like the RM 010.
The Caliber RMAS7 movement also has a variable-geometry rotor that allows the rewinding of the mainspring of the watch to adapt effectively to the wearer’s activity level. The different components of this rotor are made from a wide range of durable materials. The arms are built with grade 2 titanium, the ribs are made from white gold, and the ball bearings are made from highly durable ceramics. All of these components give the movement a rigid and durable assembly.
Dial
The RM 029 features a skeletonized dial that showcases the complex inner workings of the watch movement. This is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The dial has legible white Arabic numerals printed against a black base, which creates a sharp contrast and enhances its durability.
The most prominent feature of the dial is the oversized date window at the 4 o'clock position. The Le Mans Classic version has an even more intricate dial design due to adding an extra subdial for the 24-hour display function. The numerals of this variant are also printed in prominent green and white colors in line with the emblem of the classic racing event.
RM 029 Price
The RM 029 is no longer in Richard Mille’s active lineup, which means the only way to buy this watch is on the secondary market. Here, pricing varies from about $120,000 to roughly $350,000 for the standard model.
The titanium version of this watch is generally more expensive than the rose gold and white gold versions. Limited edition versions are even more costly due to their rarity. Richard Mille only released 150 examples of the RM 029 Le Mans Classic. When it was released, the timepiece was sold for $176,000 by an authorized dealer. But in the secondary market, this watch now sells upwards of $350,000.
The high Richard Mille RM 029 price means only celebrities and high-profile individuals can afford to own one. It’s no surprise that Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk owns a Richard Mille 029 valued at up to US$250,000.
Conclusion
The RM 029 is designed specifically for lovers of luxury horology and cutting-edge technology. This unique timepiece is known for its refined aesthetics, modern elegance, and innovative designs. All of these attributes make this watch an outstanding Richard Mille timepiece. A perfect blend of style and performance, the RM 029 is an excellent addition to any collection, whether you’re a beginner or a devoted lover of the Richard Mille brand looking to expand their collection.
