Feature: Richard Mille alternatives that won’t break the bank

Richard Mille is something of a watchmaking wonder. Mille himself is not even a watchmaker but a marketing whizz—which may point to how the brand has become so successful. Appearing on the scene in 2000, Richard Mille has become a watchmaker synonymous with the rich and famous these days, therefore making it a highly desirable brand among those of us who aren't so rich or famous. So, if you’re finding yourself strapped for cash, here are some more affordable luxury watches similar to RM pieces that might tickle your fancy.

Franck Muller Vanguard V 45 CC DT TT NR BR(5N)

Considered the original Richard Mille, Franck Muller was once the watch choice for swish sport stars. From footballers to flashy boxers, the only tonneau-shaped watch they were flaunting was a Muller. Nowadays that isn’t the case, as Richard Mille has taken the lead but that doesn’t mean Franck Muller is lacking at all. This Vanguard offers a sporty, rugged style in a subtle black and yellow colourway.

Zeroo Time T4

This handsome Japanese number makes for a nifty entry-level Richard Mille-style watch—music to the ears of those who are fans of the skeletonised dial, tonneau case and rubber strap associated with Mille. Going for $1,500 RRP, the T4 is a just a fraction of the price of the Richard Mille, making it a watch well worthy of a look-in, even if it is a fairly unknown brand.

Hublot Big Bang Full Magic Gold 601.MX.0138.RX

It’s no surprise that the self-proclaimed “artists of fusion” have conjured up a piece that is reminiscent of the outlandish designs of Richard Mille. Hublot—already established as a boundary-pushing watchmaker—created this limited-edition Big Bang with skeletonised dial, a signature rubber strap and open caseback where the in-house HUB4700 movement is displayed.

Corum Lab 01 Damascus

Corum introduced the Lab 01 line in 2018 to house watches that didn’t quite fit into its Admiral or Golden Bridge collections. This model boasts a case made of Damascus steel—the forged steel used for the blades of expert swordsmen in the ancient world—that features unique patterns and is celebrated for its superplasticity. Its dial is open-worked with laser-cut circles revealing the watch’s innerworkings—the blue or green accents add a fun pop of colour to this otherwise monochrome timepiece. Each edition is limited to just 99 pieces.

CIGA Design Z Series Edge

This up-and-coming Chinese watchmaker has attracted some fond admirers in recent years thanks to its innovative yet affordable designs—the Edge won the German Design Award in 2020. This model could easily be mistaken for a Richard Mille thanks to its tonneau-shaped case and skeleton dial. Its use of titanium on the case adds to its futuristic appeal and matches Richard Mille’s interest in creating ultra-lightweight timepieces.

Casio G-Shock GA-110RL-1AER

The Casio G-Shock is a horological icon thanks to its rugged design and affordable price point, making it a popular choice for many. Although it doesn’t feature Richard Mille’s classic tonneau-shaped case, it does look very similar to the brand’s take on a masculine dive watch, the RM 032. At 51.2mm, this G-Shock possesses some serious wrist presence and is equipped with stopwatch, world time, calendar and alarm functions. It’s also water-resistant to a decent 200 metres—more than enough for a dip in the pool, and better than most Richard Mille models, with very few of the brand's watches offering more than 50m water resistance.

CVSTOS Challenge Thirty6 Jetliner A00103.3680001

Since its inception in 2005, CVSTOS has aimed to make timeless avant-garde watches and judging by this Jetliner model, we think it’s achieved just that. Encasing the skeleton dial is a sapphire tonneau case, giving it a futuristic feel. Its use of titanium on the screws and crown echo Richard Mille’s fondness of this lightweight metal. This Jetliner model is reminiscent of the RM 75-01, which also boasts a sleek sapphire case.

IWC Da Vinci Chronograph IW376417

The Da Vinci collection has been around for over 30 years and offers some of the most stylish and chic creations from IWC. Taking a step back from the skeletonised dials and futuristic look of most of the watches on this list, this Da Vinci features a pared-down charcoal grey dial with two chronograph sub dials encased in an elegant white gold case. You can still sneak a peek of the movement that powers this retro-inspired watch, though, through the open caseback.

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