I do understand that Richard Mille is a tremendously successful brand and global demand for their timepieces purposely outstrips their production supply. So, it should come as no surprise that RM boutiques are hardly over-flowing with inventory. But at some point, inventory becomes so low it leaves me questioning why do they even bother having boutiques at all? Case in point - I visited the good folks at Bal Harbour, Miami last week. They had a total of around eleven pieces, no classic tonneau cases and no classic chronographs. So, eight rather esoteric round watches and three bejeweled ladies’ watches. No RM 011s, no RM 035s, no RM 055s. Good luck even getting Richard Mille to take your money for a deposit on those three models. Same story at the Vegas boutique. The models they did have were hardly their more popular pieces. And so, why bother? Why not just have brand ambassadors who court wealthy individuals and do individual appointments at their residence, hotel or invitation-only event? Why invest in a boutique infrastructure and all that expense when you have no popular inventory to display? It would be like going to a Ferrari dealership and they say sorry Sir, we have no red cars to show you. How many times a week do you think the collective Richard Mille sales staff tell a potential customer they can't sell him the piece he is looking for?
I hope Richard Mille is careful not to disrespect potential customers. Case in point - many years ago, I considered a Hermes belt. I went into the boutique and they informed me they had zero belts but were expecting *one* in a couple weeks. They could not tell me the size or the style but I was so lucky I could have it. It struck me as sheer arrogance that they thought I would be so desperate for a Hermes belt that I would blindly buy one and not care about the details. That has colored my opinion of Hermes since and my fear is Richard Mille is heading in the same direction. It’s great that they are sold out of all their popular models – well done - but we’re getting to the point where I don’t need to visit boutiques any more to not see any watches I like and be told – again – I’d be lucky just to get on the waiting list.
Best,
NickO