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Lot Essay
Sharing a name with the Jamaican sprinter, Yohan Blake who won silver medals in the 100m and 200 m events at the London 2012 Olympics, the Richard Mille RM59-1 really takes their motto of “a racing machine for the wrist” from the tarmac of the motor racing circuit to the track of athletics stadiums around the world.
Born in 1989, Yohan Blake became the youngest 100 m world champion when he won at the 2011 World Athletics Championships at the age of 21. Nicknamed “The Beast” after Usain Bolt, his training partner and the fastest man in the world over 100 m, referred to him by this nickname in an interview. At the same time, the nickname also created the inspiration for one of the design elements of the watch.
As with all Richard Mille watches, the RM059-1 is designed to be worn under all circumstances, including 100 m sprint races at the highest level of competition. With this in mind, the watch had to be incredibly light yet robust, with this being achieved by constructing the case out of a composite made of carbon nanotubes which compensates shock absorption. In addition, the profile of the case is also asymmetric; as Yohan Blake wears his watch on his right wrist, the case is thinner on the left side to allow it to slice through the air, improving aerodynamics.
From a purely aesthetic level, the colour scheme of yellow and green present throughout the movement and case refers to the national colours of Jamaica and the four splayed bridges represent the claws of “The Beast” as an homage to Blake’s nickname. Produced as a limited edition of 50 pieces and one of only a handful to have returned to market, this watch represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Richard Mille’s most avant-garde designs created to honour one of the star sportsmen of this generation.
Born in 1989, Yohan Blake became the youngest 100 m world champion when he won at the 2011 World Athletics Championships at the age of 21. Nicknamed “The Beast” after Usain Bolt, his training partner and the fastest man in the world over 100 m, referred to him by this nickname in an interview. At the same time, the nickname also created the inspiration for one of the design elements of the watch.
As with all Richard Mille watches, the RM059-1 is designed to be worn under all circumstances, including 100 m sprint races at the highest level of competition. With this in mind, the watch had to be incredibly light yet robust, with this being achieved by constructing the case out of a composite made of carbon nanotubes which compensates shock absorption. In addition, the profile of the case is also asymmetric; as Yohan Blake wears his watch on his right wrist, the case is thinner on the left side to allow it to slice through the air, improving aerodynamics.
From a purely aesthetic level, the colour scheme of yellow and green present throughout the movement and case refers to the national colours of Jamaica and the four splayed bridges represent the claws of “The Beast” as an homage to Blake’s nickname. Produced as a limited edition of 50 pieces and one of only a handful to have returned to market, this watch represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Richard Mille’s most avant-garde designs created to honour one of the star sportsmen of this generation.