New video: Richard Mille and its high-tech watches sail into St Barths

By Maria Doulton in London

I had the pleasure of joining Richard Mille in St Barths, where this watch house is the main sponsor of the Les Voiles de St Barths, a world-class regatta that attracts some of the most impressive racing yachts from around the globe.

On board Jolt 2, the yacht owned by Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille Europe, Middle East and Africa, I had the chance to see the house’s watches perform under duress as well as enjoy calmer moments on the beach, where the women’s watches came into their own.

Spending time with Richard Mille and seeing these high-tech watches in action gave me a new appreciation for both the aesthetics and performance of these watches, which look like nothing else on earth.

The most obvious choice for the Skipper of Jolt 2 was the RM 60-01 Flyback Chronograph Regatta. But the Richard Mille RM 011 on the wrist of Peter Harrison, who was at the helm, with a case made of NTPT carbon, was right at home as this lightweight, highly resistant material was developed by North Sails, linking neatly together the worlds of competitive sailing and high horology. The rest of the crew wore RM 028 and RM 032 divers’ watches on bright rubber straps, and they fitted right in with all the nautical equipment on board.

The women on board wore the RM 07-01 models in either white ceramic or white gold or the sleek, black RM 037 Ladies, with a glamorous dose of diamonds. Seeing is believing, and to be on board a competitive sailing boat in the Caribbean, seeing these watches in action, with the light bouncing off the water and the wind in the sails, is to understand the natural habitat of these remarkable watches. 

  • A Richard Mille RM 028 watch in action on board Jolt 2 at the Les Voiles de St Barth Regatta 2014

    A Richard Mille RM 028 watch in action on board Jolt 2 at the Les Voiles de St Barth regatta 2014. Image: scullyfoto.com

  • Beatrice Giusti of Richard Mille transports the watches on board before the start of the regatta. She wears a white ceramic RM 07-01, a diamond-set version of the same model and an RM 028

    Beatrice Giusti of Richard Mille transports the watches on board before the start of the regatta. She wears a white ceramic RM 07-01, a diamond-set version of the same model and an RM 028. Image: scullyfoto.com

  • Peter Harrison, owner of Jolt 2, was at the helm wearing the new Richard Mille RM 011 - a fitting choice as the case is made of NTPT carbon, which resembles fossilised wood

    Peter Harrison, owner of Jolt 2, was at the helm wearing the new Richard Mille RM 011 – a fitting choice as the case is made of NTPT carbon, which resembles fossilised wood. Image: scullyfoto.com

  • The new Richard Mille RM 028 automatic diver's watch in titanium

    The new Richard Mille RM 028 automatic diver’s watch in titanium.

  • The new Richard Mille RM 032 automatic chronograph diver's watch in red gold

    The new Richard Mille RM 032 automatic chronograph diver’s watch in red gold.

  • Maria Doulton filmed the sailors aboard the 45ft sailing boat Jolt 2, captained by Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille Europe, as it participated in the Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2014 regatta

    Maria Doulton filmed the sailors aboard the 45ft sailing boat Jolt 2, captained by Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille Europe, as it participated in the Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2014 regatta. Image: scullyfoto.com

  • Richard Mille watches were captured in action on the high seas aboard the 45ft sailing boat Jolt 2, right

    Richard Mille watches were captured in action on the high seas aboard the 45ft sailing boat Jolt 2, right. Image: scullyfoto.com

  • The crew on board Jolt 2 all wore Richard Mille watches for the Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2014 regatta, putting these complex mechanical creations to the ultimate test

    The crew on board Jolt 2 all wore Richard Mille watches for the Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2014 regatta, putting these complex mechanical creations to the ultimate test. Image: scullyfoto.com

  • Sailing also has its glamorous side. Richard Mille watches and the new Richard Mille watches for women can effortlessly glide from serious performance to laidback chic

    Sailing also has its glamorous side. The new Richard Mille watches for women can effortlessly glide from serious performance to laidback chic. Image: WatchAnish

  • Bowman and captain Adam Davis checks timings on his RM 032 automatic chronograph

    Bowman and captain Adam Davis checks timings on his RM 032 automatic chronograph. Image: scullyfoto.com

SOURCE:http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/watches/article/richard-mille-watches-on-test-in-st-barths/