MDW 2018: Richard Mille Pop Up @ Mandarin Oriental Milano

The Milano Design Week is one of the most eagerly awaited event in Milan: while the exhibition in Rho displayed the furniture newness, the Fuorisalone took the opportunity to organize events, meetings, happenings and vernissages, to present the latest news in terms of fashion, techonlogy, art and culture. Because you know, design is not just house-related, but includes everything that carries ideas, innovation, shape and function. For instance, a watch.

For this reason, Richard Mille, which is at the cutting-edge of innovation, created a pop up store for the exhibition closing weekend inside the Mandarin Oriental 5 star hotel located in the core of the Milano fashion district.

An elegant, internationally-renowed hotel, not just a mere place where to sleep, but also a location suitable for meetings and events – a perfect place where to welcome numerous watch enthusiasts and friends of the Swiss brand. They were able to admire up-close 5 of the most innovative and highly-technical pieces of the collection: The RM 11-01 Roberto Mancini in red gold; the RM 030 EMEA limited edition in blue ceramic; two lady timepieces, the RM 07-01 in white gold with diamonds full set, and a limited edition blue ceramic (30 pieces only). Finally, guests were able to also see the well-known RM 50-03 Tourbillon McLaren F1 Chronograph.

In particular, eyes were staring at this last model, the lightest mechanical cronograph in the world – less than 40 grams, strap included. Such a valour has been possible thanks to the revolutionary case made of Graph TPT, more commonly known as graphene. The Graphene discovery was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010, it is 6 times lighter than steel and 200 times stronger. McLaren Technology Group and McLaren-Honda are also currently working on integrating graphene into their Grand Prix cars.

A transverse cage, crafted of Carbon TPT™ and inspired by the wishbone suspension structure of a McLaren-Honda Formula 1 car, is affixed to the case-band, and supports the entire RM50-03 calibre. By eliminating the casing ring, this unusual architecture enables a perfect fit between the movement and case. The RM 50-03 is only produced in 75 pieces, exclusively available through Richard Mille boutiques, and is accompanied with a McLaren F1 1:5 scale model.

A special guest attended the event: Nicolas Ouchenir, the well-known Parisian calligrapher who created  bespoke drawings picturing the Richard Mille boutique in via della Spiga, a distinctive space furnished with exotic woods, leather and cracked glass. As a gift for the pop up store visitors, the cards were customized on the spot and could be kept as a precious memory of a day dedicated to design and avantgarde.

By Francesca Favotto