Richard Mille Sponsors Les Voiles, Opens First Caribbean Boutique
Richard Mille succumbed to the pull of the Caribbean. During the 8th edition of the famed Les Voiles regatta competition some two weeks ago, at which the Richard Mille served as main partner, the Swiss horologer unveiled its inaugural boutique in the Caribbean, on St. Barts.
“We couldn’t imagine an island more suited to welcoming our brand,” said John Simonian, CEO of Richard Mille Americas, in a press statement on the occasion. “The boutique’s design takes its design cues from its territorial situation—on an island overlooking the shore—and its agreeable patio, where anyone can relax with a glass of Champagne as they discover our watches.”
Among the timepieces at the opening ceremony was the automatic RM 60-01 Flyback Chronograph Regatta. Rendered in grade-5 titanium, the piece brings style to high-seas navigation with its rotating bezel that features the four cardinal points and a 360-degree graduated disk with a 24-hour scale.
The chronograph upholds Richard Mille’s fascination with the nautical world, which also emanates from the brand’s support for Les Voiles since the race’s first year. “My commitment to a field like sailing is all the more fervent because the domain encourages full expression of the Richard Mille philosophy,” said Simonian. “It’s an opportunity to combine extreme performance, cutting-edge technology and a strong artistic component, while respecting the hallowed traditions of a discipline.”
Simonian is not alone in his ardency for sailing. Richard Mille’s CEO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa Peter Harrison rode the waves to the top in the CSA 0 class with his sailboat, Sorcha TP 52. The victory ends Harrison’s climb on the winners’ podium after he finished 3rd and 2nd in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The leader in the Maxi Yacht category, American George Sakellaris received a RM 60-01 Flyback Chronograph Regatta to mark his race with time.
