Richard Mille

Richard Mille began his career as a watchmaker in 1974. His desire to develop groundbreaking luxury timepieces led him to start his own company in 1999. Mille produced his first clock in 2001, using processes and materials similar to those used in the crating of airplanes and Formula One racing cars. "A racing machine on the wrist," was one of the brand's early slogans. Mille merged his passion for Swiss watchmaking history with cutting-edge materials.

With the tonneau-shaped case, which mimics a barrel form, he defined his brand's aesthetic. These timepieces are difficult and expensive to produce due to their curved components. To keep moisture and dust out of the watch, each component must fit together correctly. Mille spends years and millions of Swiss francs researching how racing boats, Formula 1 vehicles, and aerospace components might be utilized in watchmaking. These watches are extremely restricted due to Mille's meticulous manufacture and high-end components.

Most expensive Richard Mille watch ever sold: Sapphire RM56-02, $1,936,000