Farewell to the RM005...

It has not be so long since the introduction of the RM005. The 005 is/was RM's hottest seller. The RM005 opened the possibility for more people to have access to own a Richard Mille. Now the RM005 is gone... but it has been replaced by the RM010. The upgrade is essentially a larger case and a skeletonized movement for only a 10% price increase. Quiet sensible since it also opens the possibility for those with larger wrist to be comfortable with one. Both are the same movement and are hardly recognizable when seen at a distance. Even though the RM010 is larger the proportions are similar to its smaller brother making them look bigger or smaller depending on the actual owner. It is only then when they are turned around that the difference between both is quiet apparent. The RM010's skeletonized movement takes the spotlight.

Many comments and debates have flared up regarding the discontinuation of the RM005. Personally I welcome its disappearance and don't see it as a "death" but more as a way for the company to evolve. It's good to leave emblematic models behind, it creates a sense of history that is sometimes crucial to marketing. Some speculate that the price of the RM005 will be negatively affected in the second hand market. I am not to certain about that, there is one "little" detail that nobody has observed. The RM005 is waterproof to 100 meters, versus the 50 meters of the RM010. Yes, the RM005 is the RM with the highest waterproof value. That alone could be a reason for prices to actually rise.

Richard Mille...