Resetting the Clock: Amanda Mille Expands the Richard Mille Family

Richard Mille pioneered a new era of watchmaking with the 2001 launch of the RM 001 Tourbillon, which set a standard for today's billionaires’ handshake. 

The Swiss company is also a close family business, with sons Alex and Guillaume involved, and brand direction now helmed by Mille’s daughter Amanda.

Amanda Mille sat down with Rodeo Drive - The Podcast to talk about maintaining the image of the world’s most advanced and most expensive watches, through creative partnerships with ambassadors including Michelle Yeoh, Charles Leclerc, Nelly Korda, and Rafael Nadal, who form the company’s extended “family.”

Mille tells host Lyn Winter about a journey into her father’s business that began with a move to the Middle East and is full of unexpected moments, like a phone call from Jeremy Strong, Kendall Roy in Succession, about wearing a Richard Mille watch as an expression of his character. He said “we need something a bit more classical in a way, but with a push of modernity,” recalls Mille. She chose to give the detail-obsessed actor an RM 67-01. It was perfect. “Platinum, of course, added the kind of powerness behind Succession and all the stories happening to his character.”

She also shares the deep creative relationships with the athletes that sport, literally, Richard Mille watches, helping perfect the product while performing at their best. “When you have someone like Yuliya Levchenko doing high jumping, you need to be sure that the watch doesn't move on the wrist and is still comfortable…Our partners are the only ones that are able to give us the feedback that even a machine will never tell you.”

The Mille company is deeply connected with motor-racing, and sponsors Formula One and Le Mans. Amanda Mille shares her love of motorsport and driving, and promises to bring the 100% female, Rallye Des Princesses Richard Mille to California. 

Finally, she talks about the exclusivity of the company’s watches that involve many years of research and development at the end of which come very few new pieces. The wait can be long and tantalizing for people who order one. “We are not laughing at the fact that people are frustrated at not being able to get the watch. We know how difficult it is. But we also know how difficult these watches are to be made,” says Mille.

The Richard Mille Beverly Hills boutique is located on Two Rodeo Drive at 222 N. Rodeo Drive.

Season four of Rodeo Drive – The Podcast is presented by the Rodeo Drive Committee with the support of The Hayman Family, Two Rodeo Drive, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, and the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau.

Season Four Credits:

Executive Producer and Host: Lyn Winter

On behalf of the Rodeo Drive Committee: Kathy Gohari

Scriptwriter and Editorial Advisor: Frances Anderton

Editor and Videographer: Hans Fjellestad

Theme music by Brian Banks

Production Assistant: Isabelle Alfonso.

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