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Richard Mille Factories Tour

Two weeks ago we had the pleasure to visit the two main production sites of Richard Mille in Les Breuleux, a small village at an elevation of 1,038 m (3,406 ft) above the sea level in the north-west of Switzerland, in the canton of Jura, not far from the busy watchmaking centers La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle.


Here is our report but first some history. The Swiss luxury brand was founded in 1999 by French businessman Richard Mille, who previously worked for Matra and started the watchmaking division for jewellery firm Mauboussin. Audemars Piguet joined the project as a shareholder.

The first watch, the RM 001, went on sale in 2001 and was an instant success thanks to its bold design and the use of new materials in watchmaking. An evolution of the RM 001, the RM 002 Tourbillon, marked the start of serial production at Richard Mille which kept accelerating year after year. In 2014 alone, Richard Mille introduced 14 new models.

Richard Mille RM 001 (2001)

Brand ambassadors like Rafael Nadal and Felipe Massa helped the brand to quickly become known to a wide audience.

The organization chart of Richard Mille is pretty complex and involves several companies. Each of these entities has special skills in a specific area of the production process.

Horometrie SA is Richard Mille's main legal entity. It was established by Richard Mille and Dominique Guenat in 2001 and it was later enlarged to also include Montres Valgine, a company originally founded by the Guenat family more than a century before.

Today Horometrie and Valgine combine their efforts and expertise in terms of the development, production and distribution of Richard Mille watches worldwide. It is here that new models are conceived and designed by Riched Mille's team of designers and engineers. And it is still here that all timepieces are hand finished, assembled and meticulously controlled before being shipped to boutiques and retailers worldwide.

A second factory, the ultra-modern ProArt SA, is dedicated to the production of Richard Mille watch cases and other components, including baseplates, pushers, bridges and bracelet parts in precious metals, titanium and composites.

Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier is Richard Milles's partner for most automatic and automatic chronograph movements while Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi (APR&P), Audemars Piguet's high-end watch making division, produces the most complicated movements of the Richard Mille collection including tourbillons and split seconds chronographs. Even when partners are involved, Richard Mille still controls and check all processes performing a quality control of each end product.

Our visit started from ProArt. Opened in April 2013, this 3,320 square meters factory has been designed by architects Chavanne and has been built using environmentally friendly materials. This building was the first in the Canton of Jura to utilise geothermal heating and cooling systems.

Pro Art factory 

This factory now plays a crucial role for Richard Mille. In fact, the development of these complex cases made from high-tech materials and in small volumes is only possible through in-house production.

About 50 CNC programmers, inspectors and polishers operates in this facility adopting cutting edge machinery and technologies, a requirement for working on innovative materials such as grade 5 titanium, NTPT carbon, carbon nanotubes, ceramic TZP-N.

A CNC machine for complete machining of very complex six sided parts


Just machined: a titanium caseband

Oils (not beer) for the CNC machines

The CNC 5-axis machines, which can be equipped with a great variety of tools, are programmed using dedicated CAM software. The video below shows how the software allows to simulate the tool motion so preventing costly errors.


The cases of Richard Mille watches are very difficult to manufacture for their tripartite, tonneau shaped design. For example, the curved front and back bezel must match the caseband without even the slightest bit of tension to make sure that the sapphire glass will not be affected.



The three pictures above show the CNC machine used to produce the typical bezels from a solid titanium bar and the machined piece by splitting which two bezels are obtained 

For the production of each Richard Mille case, 68 stamping operations are necessary on the basic forms of the three main component sections, (front bezel, caseband and back bezel), even before the actual cutting and milling can begin. The machine tooling process requires 8 days of machine adjustment for the bezel, 5 days for the caseband and 5 days for the case-back.

Each rough case involves 202 machining operations. Just imagine that the positive engraving of the Richard Mille name on the interior curving back of the watch alone takes a total of 45 minutes to complete.

NTPT carbon uses ultra-thin plies with specific fiber orientation for improved mechanical properties as well as a unique look

NTPT carbon can be easily worked by tools and, once machined, it offers a top quality finish with amazing shades and reflections which remind the appearance of high quality wood

From a solid block to the final push pieces of the RM 61-01 Yohan Blake model

Since every part must perfectly match to each other, excellent quality management is a must. Many of the measurements have tolerances of just 2 micrometers (just consider that a single hair is 50 times as thick).

Multisensor measuring machines are used to inspect the position and form features of the watch parts. Both optical and tactile measurements are performed.

A multisensor measuring machine: it works with tolerances of 2 micrometers

But the quality control process is not assigned only to machines. From each titanium screw of the watchcase to the smallest parts of the movement, watchmakers examine all spare parts closely with the naked eye to make sure there are no scratches.


Quality control performed by specially skilled workers

Pro Art cases ready for being shipped to the Horometrie factory

Once the cases and the other components manufactured at Pro Art are ready, they are shipped to the 1,000 square meters Horometrie factory where finishing, assembly and testing are performed.

Horometrie factory

As you would expect from such high-end timepieces, polishing and finishing operations are hand made by skilled and patient artisans. Actually, a large number of Richard Mille parts such as screws, bridges, tourbillon cages, winding barrel covers, springs, hands and numerous other parts including the watch case are finished and decorated by hand to guarantee the highest visual quality.


Functions are tested, separately and combined. Depending on the watch model, this might concern the correct changing of the date, chronograph functions, and power reserve indicators pertinent to each type.



Water resistance and shock tests at various G-force levels (up to 800G) are also performed on the assembled watch.

The final control testing assures that each timepiece runs perfectly and during this process each function of the watch will be tested 3 times. Mechanical watches may go through up to 50 or 60 different processes before the watch is approved for delivery.

Our visit to the Richard Mille factories confirmed us, once again, that bold technical innovation is not in conflict with traditional watchmaking techniques and that they can be successfully integrated.


Name

A. Lange & Sohne,145,Accutron,1,AkriviA,11,Alain Silberstein,4,alarm,18,Alpina,19,Andersen Geneve,2,Andersmann,2,Andreas Strehler,5,Angelus,6,annual calendar,44,Anonimo,15,Anthony de Haas,2,Antiquorum,4,Antoine Martin,2,Antoine Preziuso,1,Apple,2,Apple Watch,2,Aquadive,2,Aquastar,1,Armin Strom,82,Arnold and Son,27,Artime,1,Astarwatch,1,Atelier de Chronometrie,1,Ateliers deMonaco,2,Atmos,1,Auctions,94,Audemars Piguet,97,Autodromo,1,automaton,2,BA111OD,1,Ball Watch,1,Bamford,2,Baselword 2022,1,Baselworld,8,BaselWorld 2013,50,BaselWorld 2014,53,Baselworld 2015,69,Baselworld 2016,27,Baselworld 2017,64,Baselworld 2018,75,Baselworld 2019,41,Baselworld 2020,2,Baume,4,Baume & Mercier,19,Baume et Mercier,72,Beaubleu,1,Bell & Ross,41,Berneron,1,Bernhard Lederer,5,Bernhard Zwinz,1,bespoke,1,Blancpain,100,blue dial,3,Bonhams,2,Bovet,14,Brands histories,1,Breguet,132,Breitling,74,Bremont,1,Bremont Watch Company,4,Breva,2,bronze,28,Bücherei,1,Bucherer,1,Bulgari,122,Bulova,2,Burberry,1,C3H5N3O9,1,carbon,4,carillon,4,Carl F. Bucherer,4,Carl Suchy,1,Carrera,20,Cartier,49,ceramic,24,Certina,13,Chanel,5,Chaumet,3,chiming hour,15,Chopard,42,Christiaan van der Klaauw,2,Christie's,9,Christophe Claret,5,Christopher Ward,15,chronograph,790,chronometer,42,Chronoswiss,6,Cimier,1,Citizen,6,co-axial,1,column-wheel,9,complete calendar,29,complications,91,concept watch,5,Concord,1,constant-force,39,Corum,18,Credor,2,CSEM,1,Cuervo y Sobrinos,1,Cyrus,37,Czapek,8,Dan Niederer,1,Davosa,1,Daytona,8,De Bethune,30,de Grisogono,3,dead seconds,21,Delma,2,detent escapement,4,DeWitt,9,digital display,1,dive watches,98,diving,8,diving watches,417,double regulator,3,Doxa,40,drei,1,dress watches,542,dual time,108,Ebel,2,Eberhard,35,Edouard Koehn,8,Edox,6,El Primero,43,Emile Chouriet,1,Emmanuel Bouchet,1,Emmanuel Breguet,1,enamel dial,14,enamelling,16,Equation of time,10,ETA,1,Eterna,18,exhibitions,1,F.P.Journe,40,Faberge,2,factory tours,3,Favre-Leuba,1,feature article,93,features,128,Felipe Pikullik,2,Ferdinand Berthoud,8,flyback,64,Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie,1,Formex,1,Fortis,9,Franc Vila Founder,1,Franck Muller,8,Frederic Jouvenot,1,Frederique Constant,22,Furlan Marri,1,FVF,1,Gallet,1,Garrick,1,Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix,8,Georg Jensen,1,George Daniels,4,Gerald Charles,2,Gerald Genta,13,Girard-Perregaux,48,Glashuette,19,Glashuette Original,96,Glashütte,33,Glashütte Original,129,Glycine,4,GMT,142,GoS,1,GoS Watches,1,GPHG,23,GPHG 2020,3,GPHG 2021,3,GPHG 2022,3,GPHG 2023,3,GPHG 2024,3,GPHG2019,1,Graham,6,Grand Feu,7,Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve,17,Grand Seiko,36,Grande Complication,28,Grande Sonnerie,9,Greubel Forsey,40,greubelforsey,1,Grøne,1,Gronefeld,10,Grönefeld,8,Grossmann,3,guilloché,8,H. Moser and Cie,51,H20 Watch,1,Habring,10,Habring2,11,Hajime Asaoka,2,Hallmark of Geneva,2,Hamilton,38,hands-on,136,Hanhart,22,Harry Winston,11,Hautlence,6,Hermes,26,Heuer,2,high jewellery,2,high-frequency,5,Hublot,66,Hybris Artistica,1,Hydro Mechanical Horologists,7,HYT Watches,16,Icon,1,In pictures,18,independent watchmaker,39,industry news,245,interview,9,Interviews,9,IWC,176,Jacques Bianchi,1,Jaeger-LeCoultre,130,Jaquet Droz,58,Jean-Francois Mojon,1,Jean-Marc Pontroué,1,JeanRichard,3,jumping hours,38,Junghans,12,Kaj Korpela,1,Kari Voutilainen,11,Kazuo Maeda,1,Kenissi,1,Kollokium,1,Korpela,1,Krayon,4,Kudoke,6,Kurono,2,L.Leroy,1,L'Epee 1839,2,Labails,1,Ladies watches,198,Lang & Heyne,4,Lang 1943,1,Lange,54,large date,3,Laurent Ferrier,26,Laureus,2,Le Garde Temps,1,Lederer Watches,5,Leica,3,Lemania,1,Leroy,4,Linde Werdelin,2,Longines,104,Louis Erard,35,Louis Moinet,8,Louis Vuitton,3,luxury steel watch,31,LVMH,10,LVMH 2020,6,M.A.D.Edition,5,M.A.D.Editions,5,Maîtres du Temps,1,Manufacture Contemporaine du Temps,3,Manufacture Royale,3,Marc Lang,1,marine chronometer,2,Marqueterie,1,Maurice de Mauriac,2,Maurice Lacroix,28,MB&F,73,MCT,1,MeisterSinger,99,meteorite,3,metiers d'art,3,Mickey Mouse,2,Mido,68,military watches,14,Minerva,4,Ming,2,Minute Repeater,62,monopusher chronograph,5,Montblanc,58,moon phases,135,Moritz Grossmann,31,Moser,46,Muhle,6,Mühle-Glashütte,5,mystery watches,4,Nautilus,14,New Britain Corp,1,new watches,3868,Nivada,3,Nomos,82,Norqain,32,Ochs und Junior,6,Officine Panerai,109,Omega,203,Only Watch,15,Only Watch 2015,4,Only Watch 2017,2,Only Watch 2019,3,Only Watch 2021,4,Only Watch 2023,10,Oris,44,paillonne,1,Panerai,112,Parmigiani,17,Parmigiani Fleurier,36,Pascal Coyon,1,Patek,62,Patek Philippe,139,Pedrozo & Piriz,1,perpetual calendar,155,Perrelet,12,Petermann Bedat,3,Phenomen,1,Philippe Dufour,1,Phillips,10,Piaget,41,Pierre DeRoche,2,pilot,1,pilot watch,115,Pininfarina,1,Pisa,17,Pisa 1940,5,Pisa Circle,13,Pita,1,planetarium,3,platinum,8,pocket watch,4,pocket watches,2,Poehlmann-Bresan,2,Poincon de Geneve,2,Porsche Design,17,Pre-SIHH 2016: Cartier - Clé de Cartier Automatic Skeleton,1,pulsometer,5,Purnell,1,quartz,11,Rado,20,Ralf Tech,3,Ralph Lauren,2,rattrapante,26,Raul Pages,2,Raymond Weil,5,rectangular watches,16,reddot award,1,regatta,3,regulator,31,remontoire,5,Remy Cools,1,Renaud Tixier,1,Reservoir,2,resonance,22,Ressence,13,retrograde,10,Revelation,1,Reverso,27,review,138,RGM,1,RGM Watch Co.,1,Richard Mille,119,Richemont,4,Richmond,1,Roger Dubuis,12,Roger Smith,1,Roger W. Smith,1,Rolex,72,Romain Gauthier,13,Romain Jerome,1,Royal Oak,40,Rudis Sylva,1,sapphire,4,Schwarz Etienne,1,Seamaster,10,Seiko,41,SevenFriday,26,SIHH,3,SIHH 2012,4,SIHH 2013,25,SIHH 2014,36,SIHH 2015,43,SIHH 2016,44,SIHH 2017,41,SIHH 2018,43,SIHH 2019,53,Simon Brette,2,Singer,7,Singer Reimagined,11,single hand,33,single-hand watches,40,Sinn,16,skeleton,36,smartwatch,9,solar energy,1,Sotheby's,8,Speake Marin,6,Speake-Marin,6,Speedmaster,38,split seconds,27,sport,1,sport watches,1004,sportwatches,1,Spring Drive,3,square watches,4,squelette,61,steampunk,1,Steinhart,1,Strehler,1,striking time,16,SuisseMecanica,1,sunrise,2,sunset,2,Swatch,9,Swatch Group,24,Sylvain Pinaud,2,table clocks,4,Tag Heuer,187,tantalum,1,technical insight,3,terra Cielo Mare,1,Theo Auffret,1,tides,1,Tiffany,17,Tissot,10,titanium,12,top news,461,Torsti Laine,1,tourbillon,387,Trilobe,4,Tudor,40,Tulloch,1,Tutima,3,ultra thin,36,Ulysse Nardin,40,Unimatic,1,Union Glashutte,15,Universal Genève,1,Urban Jurgensen,29,Urwerk,22,Vacheron Constantin,83,Van Cleef & Arpels,7,Vauchier Fleurier,1,Vianney Halter,6,video,1,vintage watches,3,Vulcain,11,wandering hours,1,watches,1,Watches & Wonders,42,Watches & Wonders 2020,19,Watches & Wonders 2021,28,Watches & Wonders 2022,35,Watches & Wonders 2023,38,Watches & Wonders 2024,47,Watches & Wonders 2025,2,Watches&Wonders,10,WatchesandWonders2022,35,WatchesandWonders2023,39,WatchesandWonders2024,48,WatchesandWonders2025,2,Wilhelm Schmid,1,Winnerl,1,worldtime,61,YEMA,5,Zannetti,1,Zeitwerk,2,Zeitwinkel,1,Zenith,115,Zodiac,9,
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Time and Watches | The watch blog: Richard Mille Factories Tour
Richard Mille Factories Tour
Our visit to the Richard Mille factories. Two weeks ago we had the pleasure to visit the two main production sites of Richard Mille in Les Breuleux, a small village in the north-west of Switzerland, in the canton of Jura. Our visit started from ProArt. This factory now plays a crucial role for Richard Mille. In fact, the development of these complex cases made from high-tech materials and in small volumes is only possible through in-house production. Once the cases and the other components manufactured at Pro Art are ready, they are shipped to the 1,000 square meters Horometrie factory where finishing, assembly and testing are performed. The Richard Mille manufacture.
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