Defying The Expected, Defining The Possible

From rally circuits to open, unpredictable oceans, women are turning challenges into opportunities that redefine what’s possible.

In the world of haute horlogerie, technical mastery and aesthetic refinement have long been defining cornerstones. In contrast, for Richard Mille, the pursuit of excellence extends beyond the workshop and into the realm of human endeavor. Over the past decade, the maison has cultivated a philosophy that recognizes women as both discerning clients and protagonists of extraordinary narratives.

From the roads of rural France to the planet’s most remote waters, the brand’s pursuits reveal a simple, consistent truth: excellence knows no gender.

Where Elegance Meets Endurance: The Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille

For more than two decades, the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille has been one of Europe’s most elegant sporting events—a five-day, thousand-mile journey from Paris to Saint-Tropez that fuses glamor with grit. It is a time-speed-distance rally that pushes precision, endurance and teamwork.

Nearly 90 all-female crews take to the road each year in vintage and classic cars, their engines echoing through winding passes and villages. From the muscular lines of a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray to the refined silhouette of a Morgan Roadster V8, the rally celebrates mechanical beauty and human resilience.

When Richard Mille became the event’s title sponsor, the alignment in values was natural. Just as these cars demand precision and performance, the brand recognized that women’s interest in mechanical watches was evolving—toward pieces that unite elegance with technical sophistication. The maison responded with creations such as the RM 07-01, RM 037 and the RM 07-04 Automatic Sport, offering mechanical excellence in forms designed specifically for women.

“Women have always been interested in watchmaking,” says Richard Mille. “What’s changed in the last 10 years is the appeal of mechanical timepieces. So it’s up to the watchmaker to adapt and respond.”

If the Rallye des Princesses celebrates tradition reimagined, The Famous Project represents something more audacious: a challenge that many consider the most demanding in all of sailing. Both endeavors embody a singular truth at the heart of Richard Mille’s philosophy: excellence is born where technical mastery meets human courage.

The Famous Project: Sailing Into History

In 2025, a new chapter will unfold beneath the sails of The Famous Project. Under the leadership of French skipper Alexia Barrier and with the support of Richard Mille, a crew of elite women sailors will attempt to set the first all-female record for the Jules Verne Trophy—a non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe.

Their vessel, the 32-meter IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran—the fastest of its kind—holds the current Jules Verne Trophy record, set by Francis Joyon in 2017 at 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. It is, as Barrier explains, a Formula 1 of the seas—demanding absolute precision, courage and technical mastery. Barrier and her team have set their sights on breaking the 40-day threshold.

“It’s not a boat brimming with technology, yet it has always made me dream,” Barrier explains. “It has an incredible story and we now have the chance to continue that legacy and set a new world record.”

More Than A Record, It’s A Movement

What sets The Famous Project apart is its broader vision. The initiative rests on four pillars—human and social commitment, education, environmental research and sporting excellence—each resonating with Richard Mille.

Through a partnership with UNESCO, the team will collect vital oceanographic data, continuing the scientific work initiated by Barrier’s 4myplanet foundation. These educational outreach programs will bring this adventure to classrooms around the world, inspiring a new generation of dreamers and doers.

“It’s a beautiful sporting challenge but it’s also much bigger,” says Dee Caffari, co-skipper and a sailor who has herself sailed solo around the world. “This project will break down many barriers.”

For Amanda Mille, Brand & Partnerships Director, the alignment was immediate. “The Famous Project allows us to write a new chapter in our commitment to women,” she says. “It embodies everything we believe in—daring, excellence and passion.”

Where Courage Leads, Precision Follows

For Richard Mille, The Famous Project is not simply a partnership but a reflection of the brand’s values. Both a Richard Mille timepiece and a 32-meter racing trimaran are built on the same principles—performance, innovation and a refusal to accept limits.

This commitment to excellence extends beyond machines to the people who wield them. Richard Mille does not create opportunities as token gestures; it supports women who are already pushing boundaries, providing them with the finest tools and platforms to succeed—from the rally roads of France to the world’s most unforgiving oceans.

Where Purpose Meets Motion

These partnerships reveal something fundamental about Richard Mille’s philosophy—that true luxury is not about possession but possibility. The women who command these rallies and circumnavigate these oceans demonstrate what happens when focus, discipline and perseverance are met with genuine support. Through them, Richard Mille does more than celebrate achievement—it creates the conditions for it to flourish.