A Unique Special Edition Model Will Be Offered

RICHARD MILLE, a maison crafting independent high-luxury watches, captivates fans worldwide with its supreme timepieces born from unique design and relentless technological pursuit. Mr. Richard Mille, the brand's conceptor, feels a strong affinity for Japan, where he has many admirers, and RICHARD MILLE has continued to support disaster-stricken regions since the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Furthermore, in response to the recent Kumamoto earthquakes, a charity auction has been decided upon at Mr. Mille's strong request. On April 14, 2016, the Kyushu region was devastated by a major earthquake centered in the Kumamoto region. It is still fresh in our memory that Kumamoto Castle, a designated Important Cultural Property, suffered damage such as the collapse of its stone walls. The proceeds from this auction will be donated as disaster recovery funds for Kumamoto Castle.

The item to be auctioned is a special model created exclusively for this occasion, based on the "RM 023 Automatic." The "RM 023" is a unisex size, comfortable for Japanese wearers, and features RICHARD MILLE's unique "variable inertia rotor." This mechanism allows the winding efficiency to be adjusted according to the user's lifestyle. By adjusting six positions on the rotating rotor and altering the centrifugal force, it can improve winding energy even with minimal movement.

The model appearing in this auction is a rare piece featuring a polished white gold bezel, which has already sold out in Japan. Additionally, the index has been changed from the usual Roman numerals to Arabic numerals, making it a one-of-a-kind watch in the world. The reference price is 12 million yen (excluding tax).

The auction will be conducted using the first-price auction method, where the highest bidder wins, with a minimum bid price of 8 million yen. Bids can be placed in a dedicated bid box at the RICHARD MILLE GINZA store or by submitting a completed application form via fax. The auction results will be announced on the RICHARD MILLE GINZA website on August 19, 2016.

The winning bid was 11,111,111 yen. The amount raised will be donated to the Kumamoto Castle Disaster Recovery Fund. RICHARD MILLE states, "We cherish not only our customers but all those involved as 'family,' and we will continue to act as a testament to our 'bonds' that go beyond mere after-sales service."

RICHARD MILLE Charity Auction
Application Period | Thursday, July 7, 2016 – Thursday, August 18, 2016, until 18:00
Announcement Date | Friday, August 19, 2016, 11:00
Auction Method | First-Price Auction
If there are multiple highest bids, the winner will be determined by a strict lottery.
Minimum Bid Price | 8 million yen
Estimated Delivery | September 2016
Exhibition Venue for Auction Item | RICHARD MILLE GINZA
8-4-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo