When you work with some of the world's most accomplished athletes, you can count on it that they will take your watches through their paces. For Richard Mille, this is exactly how he likes it, as it challenges him time after time again to take things to the next level. Nadal, who won 19 Grand Slam Singles titles, wears his Richard Mille also on the court. This means that the RM 35-02 not only needs to be very light but also very strong.

A new model by Richard Mille is always exciting but gets even more impressive when the brand makes it in entirely new material. Grey Cermet, as it is called, is as light as titanium and yet almost as hard as a diamond. It took Richard Mille, working closely together with the IMI Group, years to develop this material. It consists of a metallic zirconium matrix with ceramic inserted in it. As these are very different elements, combining them in a single material was particularly challenging. Especially since the use of nickel and cobalt, often used to combine these materials in a homogeneous matter, was not an option as they wanted to conform themselves to the REACH Standards. This ensures safety in production and the use of chemicals in the European industry.

The times we are currently facing are challenging for many of us, and for a variety of different reasons. Yet no matter what the reason is, it is essential to maintain hope. Only then can we find the strength to come together, be creative, and work our way productively through the problems. Watches can then be seen as a trivial thing, but apart from being an industry by itself which fuels our economies, can they also serve as an inspiration. When we are capable of making mechanical watches that can measure time with an accuracy of 99.994% (the worst rating with which a watch can still be Chronometer-certified), it serves as a testimony that human ingenuity knows no bounds and that we can persevere. Therefor four mechanical timepieces that can not only inspire but also brighten our day with their colorful appearance.

While a tourbillon is, in general, a complication that will put most watch connoisseurs in awe, there is quite a difference among them. The most traditional ones feature a bridge on both sides, in between which they do their mesmerizing dance. A flying tourbillon lacks the front bridge, which allows you to see more of the intricate parts that make a tourbillon work. As the tourbillon is such a popular complication, many brands have made it a focal point for their technical creativity, which has resulted in watches that truly take your breath away.

While the tides of the current trends are flowing more into the direction of smaller sized watches, does this not mean that larger watches have become unavailable. Since the trend towards more substantial timepieces started, they have proven that they are here to stay. The following four watches show that size matters, especially when you want to make a big impression.

If you look at the top-ranked golfers, you’ll see that almost all of them are ambassadors of luxury watch brands, dutifully wearing select timepieces during trophy ceremonies and press appearances. And if you’re a regular follower of professional golf tournaments, you will have no doubt noticed the heavy presence of watch sponsorships at the events. However, some timepiece brands are taking the partnership with the sport beyond just product placement into product development. Here are three golf watches designed in collaboration with golfers developed to be worn during gameplay.

Last night the 2020 edition of the Grammy awards was a clean sweep for Billie Eilish, who took home all the four major awards; the one for best album, record, the song of the year, and best new artist. This hadn't happened since 1981 when Christopher Cross accomplished precisely the same thing. All of the royalty of the music world was in attendance, and among them are, surprisingly or not, quite a few passionate watch collectors. Their success enables them to pursue their passion, but the way in which they do this differs.

Often people use the beginning of a new year as the moment to start new habits. With many new years resolutions made, a lot of people want to adopt a healthier lifestyle and become more active. To offset the calorie-rich month of December, there are many sports to consider that will help you reach your goals. Especially watch enthusiasts might feel a bit naked to do so without a watch on the wrist. So while you make a positive lifestyle change, you can also use it as an excuse to pick up a watch specifically designed for the sport you practice and start 2020 with a new watch as aswell.

The time that ladies watches where smaller men's watches with diamonds added is long gone. Today they often unite several different crafts into a single creation, being a driving force of the Métier d'arts and quite frequently powered by sophisticated, mechanical movements. In some form follows function, yet always with an elegant touch, while others do it the other way around. This makes the world of women's watches so incredibly diverse, as perhaps even more with men's watches are the only boundaries the imagination and capabilities of the maker. That this result in exceptional watches was also proven this year with these stunning creations;

In less than a week, we will be welcoming not only a new year but the start of a new decade. As we say goodbye to the 2010s and usher in 2020, there are already a handful of freshly announced watches on our wish list. Here are four new watches to covet in the coming new year.

Few can afford them, but we all love them; the most complicated watches that the watch industry has to offer. For many brands, these watches serve as a way to show their technical prowess, and sometimes to develop technologies that we later see in less complex watches. Many of these highly complicated watches take years to develop and months to make. Their numbers are always quite limited, but they leave countless watch connoisseurs around the world in awe. This year the following watches did just that;

Overcoming adversity is one of the main ingredients that makes hip-hop such a highly popular genre. Many of the leading artists worked their way up from very modest beginnings, using their considerable talents to translate their struggles and experiences into music that inspires millions. They gave a voice to people who had none, and are a shining example that faith and hard work can make dreams come true. As they realized their own dreams, they also gained the ability to build impressive watch collections. Many of hip-hop's finest have shown that they have bold taste in watches, and combine this with a great understanding of quality and heritage, as the following four artists show:

Also in 2019, the tourbillon ruled supreme as one of the most popular complications in Haute Horlogerie. Throughout the year, many new interpretations of the tourbillon where launched. Somewhere completely new creations, while other varieties of watches that we are already familiar with. The following four were for us among the hottest ones introduced in 2019;

The beauty of the luxury watch space is that is room for just about any type of timepiece. From the understated ultra-slim dress watch to the outrageous high complication piece, watch brands today are looking to cater to all walks of watch enthusiasts. While the benefit of a tourbillon to a wristwatch’s accuracy is still up for debate, what is not disputed is the expertise, investment, and time required to craft these ultra-complex mechanisms worthy to spin away inside a topnotch timepiece. Buckle up as we roll through some crazy tourbillon watches that flaunt mechanical mastery and powerful designs.

When Pharrell grew up, his focus was already on the stars as he watched Star Trek, at home in Virginia Beach. This invoked a deep fascination for everything that lies within the universe. It is not surprising that when Richard Mille asked Pharrell to collaborate on a watch together, he turned to these memories for inspiration.

Seven years ago, Richard Mille took inspiration from something that has fascinated humankind for centuries, the human skull, and made it the centerpiece of the RM 052 Tourbillon Skull. The shape of the skull served as the top bridges, hiding the entire movement behind it. It was suspended in the middle of the case, almost like a mystery watch, being only connected to the case by four bridges. This created the effect of bones and skull, much like a pirates flag. Richard Mille went even so far as also to sculpt the back of the skull, which served as the movement's center bridge. With the introduction of the RM 52-06, Richard Mille continues to play with this concept, yet now it is not a skull, but a mask that takes center stage.