appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP Style Reporter

No other Swiss luxury watchmaker constantly pushes back the boundaries of the possible quite like Richard Mille. The high-performance worlds of motorsport and sailing share a similar passion for mechanical mastery – and it’s an affinity that leads naturally to collaboration. Richard Mille is partner to a trio of sporting events, covering sailing, road racing and rallying, that celebrate the brand’s fondness for precision machines that blend supreme beauty with peerless technical sophistication.

While today’s streamlined, super-speedy racing yachts are certainly impressive, the elegant yachts of a century ago glide across the waves with an unmatchable élan. That golden age of sailing was celebrated with the return of an event that brings together a selection of the most beautiful vintage yachts, which battle it out over an equally spectacular course – the Richard Mille Cup.

This was the third edition of the cup, contested every two years in the challenging waters surrounding the UK. But while the first two editions saw competitors sail between the south coast of England and France, this one moved the action much farther north, to the choppy waters of the Firth of Clyde, off the west coast of Scotland.

There, a fleet of 12 classic yachts fought it out over 10 days in June, kicking the race off at the fairy-tale Culzean Castle to the south of the firth. The location might have been sublime, but it was also fiendishly challenging, with turbulent seas demanding a combination of sailing skill and steely resilience. Among the much-loved vintage vessels joining the battle for the beautiful silver trophy made by British jeweller Garrard were Kismet (1898), Moonbeam (1903), Mariquita (1911), Moonbeam IV (1920) and Saskia (1931).

Just as the Richard Mille Cup celebrates the most gracious of vintage racing yachts, so does the Le Mans Classic tip its hat to their terrestrial counterparts. The race pits vintage racing cars against each other over the legendary 13km Circuit de la Sarthe in northwestern France, the same course used for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Le Mans Classic is likewise contested over 24 gruelling hours, with cars dating from the 1920s to the 1980s divided into six eras.

Richard Mille has partnered with the race since its debut in 2002, creating a special watch in the event’s colours for every race since 2008. This year marked a major milestone in the history of the Le Mans Classic, with the race reborn as the Le Mans Classic Legend and moving from biennial to annual. Attracting nearly 160,000 spectators, the 2026 edition featured 350 cars on the track and 3,200 vehicles on display.

Classic cars were given an even broader canvas to strut their stuff at another event celebrating motorsport history: the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille. Held since 1999 and inspired by the Paris-Saint Raphaël Féminin Rally of 1929, the race sees all-female teams take to the roads of France over five days of rallying. They are at the wheels of vehicles dating from 1946 to 1991, and the race, rather than a contest of pure velocity, is a regularity rally, where the aim is to complete the course while remaining close to a target average speed.

The 25th edition of the Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille, in May, was contested by 97 teams. They started at the Place Vendôme in Paris, guiding their cars 1,700km down some of France’s most beautiful roads to finish in the iconic seaside town of Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera. En route, they took in gems including the beautiful medieval town of Troyes, the charming spa town of Vichy, the stunning forested lakeside location of Aix-les-Bains and the ancient city of Nîmes, renowned for its perfectly preserved Roman monuments.

Won by Véronique Lagache and Anne Sampeur, driving a vintage Porsche 911 3.2, the race was a unique combination of peerless mechanical excellence and effortlessly distinctive style – which made it the perfect fit for Richard Mille.


Style Edit: Le Damier de Louis Vuitton’s 8 new pieces reimagine the checkerboard design

Style Edit: Masterpiece by King Fook showcases daring Cyrus timepieces

Style Edit: How Chanel jackets evolved from Gabrielle Chanel to Matthieu Blazy

Style Edit: The Longines Master Collection gets a 2026 redesign and a new monopusher chronograph

Style Edit

Style Edit: Richard Mille revs up vintage elegance at 3 racing events

Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille partners with three sporting events. Photo: Handout

The Richard Mille Cup trophy, crafted by British jeweller Garrard. Photo: Handout

The third edition of the Richard Mille Cup shifted to more challenging waters. Photo: Handout

This year’s Richard Mille Cup was held off the west coast of Scotland. Photo: Handout

The Richard Mille Cup featured 12 classic racing yachts. Photo: Handout

On-track action at the inaugural Le Mans Classic Legend, held in July at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans in France. Photo: DPPI

The Le Mans Classic Legend featured 350 vintage cars on the track. Photo: Handout

The Le Mans Classic, newly reborn as the Le Mans Classic Legend. Photo: Handout

The Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille saw 97 all-female crews take to the road. Photo: Handout

Style Edit: Richard Mille’s RM 07-01 & RM 037, created by and for accomplished women

Sam Kerr, captain of the Australian football team, is an ambassador for Richard Mille. Photo: Hamish Brown/Contour by Getty Images


The Richard Mille RM 037 in white gold with snow-set diamonds. Photo: Handout

Richard Mille’s ornate, gem-set RM 07-01 Starry Night. Photo: Handout

Amanda Mille, brand and partnerships director, Richard Mille. Photo: Handout

Cécile Guenat, creative and development director, Richard Mille. Photo: Handout

Sam Kerr is widely considered one of the best strikers in football. Photo: Hamish Brown/Contour by Getty Images

The annual Rallye des Princesses Richard Mille visits historic cities and grand country houses across France. Photo: Handout

Style Edit: Richard Mille’s RM HJ-02 redefines high jewellery and haute horlogerie

Michelle Yeoh, a long-time friend of the Richard Mille brand. Photo: Handout

A model wears the RM HJ-02 Pink Pursuit. Photo: Handout

RM HJ-02 Violet Variations. Photo: Handout

A model wears the RM HJ-02 Violet Variations. Photo: Handout

A model wears the RM HJ-02 Blue Ballet. Photo: Handout

RM HJ-02 Green Gambit. Photo: Handout

Why yellow gold jewellery is defining jewellery design in 2026

Chaumet Jewels by Nature collection. Photo: Handout

Buccellati Mosaico bracelet. Photo: Handout

1944 Cadenas watch, on display at the “Welcome to Van Cleef & Arpels’ World” exhibition. Photo: Handout

Clash De Cartier earrings. Photo: Handout

How Taylor Swift and Zendaya are driving the trend for bespoke engagement rings

Graff engagement rings showcase a trend towards vintage glamour. Photo: Handout

Loletta Lai of De Beers Group. Photo: Handout

Graff’s Icon radiant-cut fancy yellow engagement ring. Photo: Handout

Stones with warmer tones are the trend for engagement rings. Photo: Handout

The return of jewelled hairpieces, boasting fans like Lisa from Blackpink and Megan Thee Stallion

Blackpink’s Lisa was pretty in pink and a Y2K-inflected updo, accessorised with jewellery including tiny lotus flower hair embellishments, at the premiere of The White Lotus season three in Bangkok last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

Dior Haute Joalliere’s Diorissima Collection. Photo: Anack Lejart

Megan Thee Stallion was regal in hair jewels at last year’s Met Gala in New York. Photo: GC Images

Zoë Kravitz at the Golden Globes. Photo: Penske Media/Getty Images

Simone Rocha fall/winter 2026. Photo: Handout

Fascinating Egypt hair clip by Van Cleef & Arpels. Photo: Handout

The Floris Pin by Kinraden. Photo: Handout

Magazines

Style

Luxury

Watches

The Swiss watchmaker champions classic racing through partnerships with the Richard Mille Cup, Le Mans Classic and Rallye des Princesses


The Swiss watchmaker champions classic racing through partnerships with the Richard Mille Cup, Le Mans Classic and Rallye des Princesses.


Style Edit: Richard Mille revs up vintage elegance at 3 racing events

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Swiss watchmaker champions classic racing through partnerships with the Richard Mille Cup, Le Mans Classic and Rallye des Princesses

The Swiss watchmaker champions classic racing through partnerships with the Richard Mille Cup, Le Mans Classic and Rallye des Princesses