Getting Into Richard Mille Watches

[WatchAficionado18]

Hi fellow watch lovers,

I am extremely interested in this brand and seriously looking to purchase a Richard Mille timepiece in the very near future. I have been reading up on quite a few posts in this forum on this brand and notice that some Richard Mille owners say that its a fantastic watch but you have to buy it right in terms of pricing as they take a huge depreciation.

I know I will lose a lot if I sell it but I am not intending to sell mine when I make the purchase. I have narrowed my options down to the following after seeing and trying on a few models:

RM 029 in Rose Gold
RM 030 in Rose Gold

I know most Richard Mille owners will say that the RM 011 is THE watch to get and I was originally leaning very much to the RM 011 Rose Gold (Titanium in the middle of the case) but was told by many ADs and Boutiques that it is near impossible to get. (A deposit may be placed but waiting time may be indefinite). I am only a fan of Rose Gold and won't consider the other color combinations and also the Full Rose Gold case as I do not like the dial color on that particular model. (The same goes for the RM 011-01 Mancini and 02 Dual Time). So unless the original RM 011 Rose Gold happens to pop up in an AD or Boutique unexpectedly when I do decide to make the purchase, I am otherwise leaning towards the RM 029 & 030. Another reason for this is I actually also prefer a slightly thinner case too (which will be able to fit under the cuffs for most of my shirts) so for this reason, the RM 029 & 030 are better options.

Another model that I may be considering would be the RM 010 in Rose Gold. I hear its basically the same watch as the RM 029, but the RM 029 is a newer model with a bigger date. So my choice would really be RM 030 vs. RM 010 or 029.

By "buying it right" in terms of pricing, what sort of discount should I expect or can ask for the above mentioned models? I am ONLY looking to buy brand new either from an Authorized RM Dealer, or from the RM Boutique (Asia Region - Hong Kong or Singapore). Also, would cash payment help towards a better discount?

Like I said, I am not looking to sell the watch at all so the depreciation is not an issue to me but I am of course looking to get the best price for a Richard Mille Watch (from an RM AD or Boutique only).

I know policy and discounts may vary country to country at different Boutiques and AD's but I hope all Richard Mille Owners all over the world on this forum can chime in with information, AD/Boutique experiences, and advice to help me in making my decision!

I would greatly appreciate it if any Richard Mille Owners especially of the models that I am interested in would let me know their experiences with the watches!

[texex91]

RG RM11 all day. It's a great watch and SUPER comfortable. They can be had, just need to hunt and be patient. Discounts will vary by country, but average percentage dealers have is 40% in them, so you can gauge what you think is a 'good deal' from there.

Think you are making a great move and do not hesitate to buy from a AD--I bought my RM011 Ti from AD and it was perfect. Boutiques you cannot expect much of a discount.

Best of luck int he hunt and look forward to pics soon...

[zama]

Was walking past the window of the Singapore AD the other day, but too late to go in, was surprised in general how expensive Rolex/AP etc were in Singapore (about 10-20% higher than Australia), think the US would be a better market to buy.

[hugs]

Originally Posted by zama

was surprised in general how expensive Rolex/AP etc were in Singapore (about 10-20% higher than Australia), think the US would be a better market to buy.

last time I checked Rolex/AP are some of the very few consumer goods which (before taxes) are NOT priced higher for customers outside of the US and europe/asia was the better place to buy if taxes can be reclaimed

i am not sure if Richard Mille follows the suit here

[GB-man]

I take it you've been to cellini? I tried on an 11 there a few months ago. Are they that sparse?

Don't settle. Too much money to settle IMHO

[conkers]

SG boutiques have never offered me any discount even though they know I am a very good customer of RM in Hong Kong. HK boutique discounts are ok but you will get more from an AD. I can hook you up. I have an RM11 RG incoming this week but haven't decided whether to take it.

[AMCK87]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I take it you've been to cellini? I tried on an 11 there a few months ago. Are they that sparse?

Don't settle. Too much money to settle IMHO

X2, RG-11s are out there. I'm new in this hunt as well and I've seen a couple in last 2 week, albeit I'm interested in Ti version. I'd wait for the 11, you'll get one soon enough.

[WatchAficionado18]

Thanks all for your opinion!

@texex91 (Paul) - Wow, I didn't know discounts at AD can be up to 40%! Enquired at a Singapore AD a few days ago and they will work around 10-20%. I'm pretty sure it could possibly be a bit more come the day I actually make the purchase in cash but 40% would definitely be a huge savings. Is this info recent or from a while back? (Maybe they might have offered up to 40% in the past but more strict on discounts now)? Also if you don't mind me asking, when and at which AD did you purchase your RM 011 Ti?

@GB-man (Tom) - I actually have not been to Cellini. I'm based more in the Asia region. I do hear that theres a small but good selection of RMs at the Cellini AD at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Might make a trip up there soon so will be sure to check it out. Seems to me that prices are better in Asia though.

@Conkers (Roger) - Thanks for the info! Also made some enquiries at the few SG Boutiques but didn't bother to ask for a discount. Did get to try on all the models I am interested in though. Wow, great that you have a RG RM 011 coming in! I probably won't be able to commit yet this week if I will settle for that but will keep you updated for sure.

Great to meet all you RM owners here on this forum! Anyone with any experience at Singapore AD's? Looking forward to be a RM owner and to join the club soon!

[tom2517]

RM11's movement is a machine finished Vaucher with Dubois-Deprez chrono module, FYI.

Which is why getting a good discount is paramount because it really is overpriced for what you are getting.

I admit RM case and design is quite unique, as some say, you don't buy porn for the plot.

[lapince]

At the beginning I really couldn't understand why people were buying them and now I must say that a few models, really do appeal to me, the Skull, Jackie Chan, Bubba Watson and 1 or 2 that I find really cool, of course seeing at what prices they are I will probably never get one but if I won the lottery I would probably get one, as well as a Patek minute repeater, perpetual chrono, all gold piece, so even if I don't like them all and it took me a long time to like some I must say it has grown on me, never went to an AD to see them in real as I have a hard time going to a shop and waste sales peoples' time when I know I am incapable of buying, but if you can afford it I think now, wasn't always the case, that it's a great watch to have in one's collection, as I understand it's impossible to find more comfortable. On the comfort part for the owners who have one and who also have or had one of the following Pateks, 5711, 5712, 5167 tropical, are the RM more comfortable than these Patek models? I have had a few watches before and for me the 5712 is incredible comfort wise, I can imagine some watches being slightly more comfortable but not a lot more, am I wrong and is there a very big difference or am I right and there isn't a big difference in comfort? Have a hard time to imagine how a watch could be more comfortable than my 5712, here's 5 pics of my favorite RM models, unfortunately as far as I know my favorite models are part of the most expensive that RM has to offer, whereas in Patek for example my favorite models are not, and by far the most expensive, my favorite Patek models, I consider the ones that I would put on a daily basis or in rotation, but in any case pieces that I can wear very often without any problem, are these, 5711 (1A, 1R, R), 5712, 5167 (SS and RG)

Anyways here are the pics of my favorite RM pieces, my absolute favorite probably being the Skull in the configuration as shown on this pic

20130509-092727.jpg

Limited-Edition-Richard-Mille-RM-057-Dragon-Jackie-Chan-Watch-5.jpg

Richard Mille RM 027 TOURBILLON.jpg

Richard_Mille_RM_055_Bubba_Watson_2.jpg

RM052_Skull_460.jpg

[lapince]

Oh I just found this article about the skull, they say retail is 500K, so really apart from winning the lottery there are few chances I might have one some day, what I find strange for this kind of watch is that it's WR is only 50m, at the same time I guess you must be nuts to go for a swim with a 500K watch, here's the article which is quite interesting

http://www.watchtime.com/wristwatch-...-rm-052-skull/

[dchang81]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think 40% margin, not discount.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by dchang81

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think 40% margin, not discount.

Yes as I understand dealers have 40% benefit on the watches from what they pay RM for them, so I don't think you can get more than 10-15%, don't know about grey dealers though maybe through them it's possible to get 15-20%, depending on which model of course...

[texex91]

Originally Posted by dchang81

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think 40% margin, not discount.

Correct margin.

[breitlingherst]

Love the brand the watches and RM11 is cool, but if you want RM29/30/10, then that is your watch. I was offered a discount on an RM35 at the Vegas boutique, but realistically it's not going to be near the 60-65% value that the watches trade at on the secondary market. It probably wont even be close to what an AD can do either for brand new. For reference a mint RM10 (about $100k MSRP), is trading for about $50k.

I would go through an AD either way for best deal.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by breitlingherst

Love the brand the watches and RM11 is cool, but if you want RM29/30/10, then that is your watch. I was offered a discount on an RM35 at the Vegas boutique, but realistically it's not going to be near the 60-65% value that the watches trade at on the secondary market. It probably wont even be close to what an AD can do either for brand new. For reference a mint RM10 (about $100k MSRP), is trading for about $50k.

I would go through an AD either way for best deal.

50% off retail that sucks for the poor guy who paid retail and needs to sell at 50% because he needs money

[lapince]

WOW resale sucks, take a look at this one, from retail to the price they're selling now I wouldn't hesitate 1 second, buy used…

http://www.xupes.com/Watches/Product...hite-Gold.html

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by lapince

WOW resale sucks, take a look at this one, from retail to the price they're selling now I wouldn't hesitate 1 second, buy used…

http://www.xupes.com/Watches/Product...hite-Gold.html

That's why I said RMs are not worth the list price, don't buy it without a good discount. Some say they will never sell, but you never know, I never bought watches thinking I will sell them, but I do. Sometimes you just grow out of it, and want something else.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by tom2517

That's why I said RMs are not worth the list price, don't buy it without a good discount. Some say they will never sell, but you never know, I never bought watches thinking I will sell them, but I do. Sometimes you just grow out of it, and want something else.

Exactly, better not to take your chances, buying for 100K and selling for 55K would give me a heart attack

[breitlingherst]

Originally Posted by lapince

WOW resale sucks, take a look at this one, from retail to the price they're selling now I wouldn't hesitate 1 second, buy used…

http://www.xupes.com/Watches/Product...hite-Gold.html

My absolute grail is a RM002 Platinum, and they can be purchased for around $150k today in mint condition with full box/papers. Long discontinued but MSRP was north of $250k USD.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by breitlingherst

My absolute grail is a RM002 Platinum, and they can be purchased for around $150k today in mint condition with full box/papers. Long discontinued but MSRP was north of $250k USD.

Well it's nice if you're the bloke who pays 150, not so nice when you're the one who paid 250

[AMCK87]

That margin is a little tighter for limited editions, 35% if the AD prepays the shipment and 32% if they pay for their inventory within 30 days. Interesting thing though is that RM is really forcing their inventory through boutiques. Once boutiques turn down a certain piece, it is offered to the ADs. This is why the super rare pieces, skull tourb, sapphire cases, etc won't even make it to the ADs, at least in the Americas.

[lapince]

There are 2 that I like, the Bubba Watson more the black but white is nice also, and the Rafael Nadal, of course both are even better in their tourbillon version but even the ones without are out of my price league so no reason to think getting one some day, I think that for 500K I would get myself a Patek Minute repeater with PC and moon phase, ok maybe 600K and not 500, but still would want a MR from Patek, tourbillons are between nice to beautiful to look at, but it's not something that I am fascinated with, MR on the other hand I find fascinating