- Is Now The Right Time To Sell My Richard Mille Watch?
- Do Richard Mille Watches Increase In Value?
- Identify Key Documentation For Your Richard Mille Watch
- Check The Condition Before You Sell Your Richard Mille Watch
- Where Should I Sell My Richard Mille Watch
- Get An Instant Valuation From Chrono Hunter
- Conclusion
Here Are 6 Points To Consider When You Sell Your Richard Mille Watch
Unbelievably, you’ve managed to get your hands on a Richard Mille watch. You’ve loved it every second and you’ve adorned it on your wrist. But the time has come to sell your Richard Mille. We have no doubt, parting of the ways will be tough…until the second you see your bank account light up after the sale!
That is why via Chrono Hunter, after your watch is inspected by one of our verified luxury retailers when you sell your watch, the money will hit your account in next to no time. Although with a very heavy heart, you are selling one of the most youthful yet exuberant watch brands out there!
As a brief summation, Richard Mille was founded in 2001 by a man named wait for it…Richard Mille. You are quick off the mark! Initially beginning with the RM 001 Tourbillon which was launched in 2001, the portfolio of the brand has constantly evolved over time, resulting in the flamboyant RM 88 Automatic Winding Tourbillon Smiley, some 21 years later. Talk about bizarre watchmaking evolution!
If you want to discover more about Richard Mille watches, check out;
- Richard Mille Unveils The RM66 Flying Tourbillon Rock’N’Roll
- 5 Reasons Why Richard Mille Is Adored By Collectors.
Now, with celebrity clientele like Pharrell Williams, Jay Z and Ed Sheeran, Richard Mille watches are made for those special occasions in your life! Without sticking the boot in any longer, let's get down to timekeeping tacks on our 6 points to consider when you sell your Richard Mille.
1. Is Now The Right Time To Sell My Richard Mille Watch?
This is an incredibly important question time folks as it is for most watch brands.
RM 57-03 - Source - Splbux
For most watch brands, you may find that there are too many variations of your model in supply meaning you won't be able to garner a solid resale value. You may find that your model in general doesn't garner great resale figures on the secondary market as the brand or model may not be particularly exclusive while finding its supply outweighs demand. I’ve got something to tell you, Timelords. You are absolutely in luck!
Richard Mille watches are as rare as the dodo. Highly sought after due to their stringent supply of watches (only 5000 pieces are produced per year), this is in pale comparison with watch giants Rolex who release 1 million watches a year.
Richard Mille is as extraordinarily exclusive as wangling an invite on Sir Richard Branson’s space rocket. Following the ancient and very applicable laws of supply and demand, Richard Mille watches are in high demand among collectors and enthusiasts who are willing to pay big bucks, shekels or dollars.
In this way, due to demand outstripping supply, this leads to extremely high secondary market prices that boom over the MSRP. As a result, more and more are turning to the secondary market such as Chrono Hunter to obtain their instant horological fix. More on that later.
There are numerous examples of Richard Mille watches doing exactly this! Due to their rarity, most of their models are sold out the moment they are released! I mean, these bad boys are even hotter than the Moonswatch. Playing hard to get? Oh you bet.
But if you want to garner the best value at resale, why not cast your eyes on the limited edition watches from this brand. The RM 57-03 Dragon Sapphire NTPT Tourbillon is given a hand polished gold dragon as well as the classic three part tonneau carbon case. Limited to just 55 pieces, you can buy a Richard Mille RM 57-03 Dragon Sapphire NTPT Tourbillon at retail upon application. Secondary market valuations estimate this baby at around £3.5 million at the time of writing.
RM 50-04 - Source - Autoweek
Richard Mille’s associations with the greatest in their various fields allows them to be sold with no financial repercussions. Partnering with the highly regarded Formula 1 star, Kimi Räikkönen, the Swiss powerhouse released the RM 50-04 Tourbillon Split-Seconds Chronograph with a fabulous red and cream design, utilising high quality carbon TPT and titanium materials. And boy, do they love their revolutionary materials.
With an in-house construction rate of around 80%, they are already superseding older brands in regards to going it alone in the horological universe. This allows them to craft stunning watches using highly innovative materials like their in-house Carbon TPT, not to mention precious metals such as titanium and gold. The end result is a level of durability and comfort which is unparalleled due to the case's highly ergonomic design.
Capped at 30 pieces, you can buy a Richard Mille RM 50-04 on the secondary market for around £2 million - at the time of writing
2. Do Richard Mille Watches Increase In Value?
While this is not the Antiques Roadshow, it’s key to ensure the true value of your Richard Mille watch.
RM UP-01 Ferrari - Source - Richard Mille
Where Can You Check The Richard Mille Serial Number?
In order to ascertain what this is, the best thing you can do is firstly identify what your timepiece is. A close look at your Richard Mille should reveal a serial number engraved on the bottom of the caseback. Once you’ve discovered the serial number, you can use Chrono Hunter’s very handy form to fill in the relevant details. Receive multiple offers from our trusted array of luxury retailers and Bob’s your father’s brother…sell your watch with confidence, security and ease.
Alternatively, speak to one of our experienced team at Chrono Hunter who will be able to discuss and obtain a valuation of your Richard Mille watch. Fearing this will take more time than it's worth? Set your fears aside, Timelords! The form is absolutely free and so is the no-obligation estimate you will subsequently receive.
The value of your Richard Mille watch is usually dependent on a few factors. As you probably know by owning a Richard Mille, if you have a model which has more desirable materials such as precious metals or highly durable carbon, you are more likely to sell your Richard Mille for more.
Take for example the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari. The movement is sized at miniscule 1.18mm, making it the thinnest mechanical movement ever made, yet it has the capability of dealing with 5,000G of force. Crafted out of grade 5 titanium and capped at 150 pieces, this model is linked with Ferrari, further booming the watches desirability. You can sell your Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari for around £2.5 million at the time of writing.
RM 50-03 - Source - Your Watch Hub
Keeping with the sports car theme, The Richard Mille RM 50-03 Tourbillon Split Secs Chronograph Ultralight - Mclaren F1 utilises both carbon and graphene to create a nanomaterial that is six times lighter and a whopping 200 times stronger than steel. As the lightest split seconds chronograph of all time, its deep-lying association with Mclaren and 75 piece limited edition means you can buy a Richard Mille RM 50-03 on the secondary market for around £1 million.
Other Pre-Owned Richard Mille Watches At A Glance;
- Richard Mille RM 40-01 McLaren Speedtail - Upwards of £970,000
- Richard Mille RM 052 Skull - Around £1.5 million
- Richard Mille 61-01 Yohan Blake - Upwards of £300,000
- RM 051 – Michelle Yeoh Tiger & Dragon - Around £1.5 million
- RM 016 - Upwards of £70,000
- RM 63 - Around £95,000
- RM 037 - Around £100,000
- RM 032 - Around £100,000
3. Identify Key Documentation For Your Richard Mille Watch
We all know too well that keeping a hold of sheets of paper is almost impossible!
Unfortunately, these pieces of paper that come with your timepiece actually hold quite a bit of value. In fact, did you know that your Richard Mille timepiece may sell for more if it comes with all of the original documentation?
This is further enhanced if you have your hands on the original box and documents like the original warranty and manuals. Every Richard Mille watch comes with a unique warranty card with accompanying holographic security seal emblazoned on it. To further enhance the security of the warranty, the document is signed and dated by an authorised Richard Mille boutique staff member upon the date of your purchase.
This is by far the best source of verification that your timepiece is genuine, allowing you to enjoy the most accurate valuation for your timepiece! If you have relevant documentation for your timepiece, you have more of a chance than getting a better value for it as it means your timepiece is certifiably genuine. And retailers sure do love authenticity.
4. Check The Condition Before You Sell Your Richard Mille Watch
Your Richard Mille is undoubtedly durable and capable of dealing with the worst knocks and abrasions dealt out to it.
RM 65-01 - Source - CronotempsVs Collectors
That doesn't mean it wont pick up a few marks and scrapes here and there. Don’t get us wrong you may very much enjoy the battle scars on your timepiece as they serve as reminders of places you’ve been to and memories created. Unfortunately, these wonderful moments in time won't translate to a willing buyer.
The first thing to check is the general condition of the watch. Are there any visible scuffs or abrasions on the watch? Are there any horological battle wounds? If there are, it may be worth you trying to buff them out yourself. If you don't have the correct kit or don’t feel comfortable doing so, try sending it to a professional.
If the watch is behaving strangely such as the hands sticking or the crown not coming loose, you may have a more serious issue. The best thing to do is to get it sent to a professional who can perform quality control checks and establish the problems. While this means your Richard Mille will now be fully functional, if your watch has any new parts, it may diminish in value.
This is due to collectors putting a strong emphasis on original parts. But do keep them! After all, the more original the watch, the more genuine it is and the more value it will command. Take for example the Richard Mille RM 65-01. Crafted out of carbon TPT with the baseplate and bridges made out of grade 5 titanium, the watch shows sublime craftsmanship throughout. If you get the bridges replaced with a cheaper alternative, it's highly likely that the value of your timepiece will depreciate.
Suffice to say, keep your beautiful investment out of harm's way as best you can. If you don't, you may just regret it when you decide to sell your Richard Mille!
5. Where Should I Sell My Richard Mille Watch?
The choice is yours, Timelords. There are many avenues you can go down when you look to sell your Richard Mille timepiece.
We can fully appreciate that while you just want to sell your Richard Mille with the least amount of hassle. However, there are an array of options that can easily become rather overwhelming. In as concise a list as possible, here are a few options should you choose to sell your Richard Mille;
- Ebay - Ebay is a fairly reliable source which has been around for a while and is a site which you may have used already. It does however bring forward the opportunity for being dealt a bad deal. Buyers can back out at any time or not send money through when they said they would. While the refund policy Ebay has is solid, it just wastes your very precious time and is fraught with potential sale pitfalls.
- Consigning with an auction house - Not a bad option at all but if you may be waiting a while for your piece to be sold and once it goes up, it's very hard to bring it off the table if the value you expected is actually a lot lower.
- Jewellers - This is again a solid choice, the only problem being that it takes a large chunk out of your day walking round these places, and you may not even be given an offer.
6. Get An Instant Valuation From Chrono Hunter
As we’ve covered, owning a Richard Mille timepiece is a luxury which most people cannot afford. Lucky you! If you have managed to get your hands on such a timepiece, you will only want the most reputable and trustworthy sites to do the leg work for you.
How could we not mention our very own platform! Due to Chrono Hunter working with the most trusted reputable luxury retailers and our phenomenal record on Trustpilot, this bolsters our presence on the pre-owned watch market as one of the leading online luxury marketplaces to sell your Richard Mille.
Chrono Hunter has the capability of offering peerless service in real time thanks to our excellent customer service or consider downloading our dedicated app. This gives you live updates 24/7! Chrono Hunter completely understands the value of Richard Mille watches like no other.
The brand has a strong history of stunning firsts. Take a look at the RM 31, the most accurate mechanical wristwatch ever. Even the materials are fantastic like carbon nanofiber baseplates on the RM 003-V2 and a titanium movement baseplate in the RM 002. There’s a reason why the brand has fantastic brand ambassadors such as Rafeal Nadal, Bubba Watson and Felipe Massa!
Thanks to our dedicated app, Chrono Hunter allows you to receive deals within 24 hours of you listing your timepiece with us. As a certifiable and highly reputable platform, Chrono Hunter can offer you the best possible prices when you want to sell your Richard Mille.
Conclusion
Well then, Timelords. We’ve effectively run through the top 6 pointers to get you the best possible value for your Richard Mille watch. The salient points are, keep your timepiece as original as possible through the documentation and actual parts while not feeling as if you have to wait for the market. Richard Mille watches will forever be in constant demand.
In fact, let's take a look at the statistics for the brand. In 2017, Richard Mille was not in the rankings for the Top 20 Swiss Watch Companies. Cast your eye to 2022 and you will see they are now in 6th position. Now classified as part of the “big four” with Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex, they all conjointly increased their market share of up to 41.7% which is a huge leap from 2019 which was 36.7%.
Need we mention that Richard Mille watches is also part of the billionaire club after reaching CHF 1.13 billion in 2021? Talk about the “Billionaire Handshake”! Do keep your eyes peeled on the market value of your Richard Mille watch.
While it’s unlikely it will drop below its retail price, you may be able to garner a better price for it if it rises above its MSRP. Perhaps the most important thing however, is to find a reputable and more importantly secure place to sell your Richard Mille. That’s where Chrono Hunter comes in.
We put you in direct contact with some of the most reputable luxury retailers around. In fact, we only work with the most trusted luxury watch retailers who have knowledge and expertise in buying Richard Mille watches. Enjoy a multitude of offers in a matter of hours on the watch you are looking to sell and choose the right offer for you.
Chrono Hunter can sell your watch with consummate ease. With our peerless service and endless array of 5 star reviews on Trustpilot, you are in the best hands in the business! Contact us at any time and speak to one of our highly experienced team members to walk you through our process or to discuss the schematics of your sale. Timelords, it's about time to push that button and sell your Richard Mille!
Further Reading:
Top 8 Colourful Men’s Watches To Liven Up Your Spring Wardrobe
Buy Or Sell A Luxury Watch The Smart Way With Chrono Hunter
If you are considering your new purchase or perhaps the sale of a beloved timepiece, Chrono Hunter is the smart way to buy or sell a luxury watch.
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