Amanda Mille has the kind of infectious smile that you find yourself quickly drawn to. Despite her name, it was not a foregone conclusion that she would find her place at one of boldest luxury watch brands on the market — but Amanda embodies every value of the eponymous brand and she is clearly right where she belongs.

  • Founded by her father Richard Mille in 2001, this no-holds-barred company paved the way for watchmaking in the new millennium. Twenty-two years on Amanda continues to conquer new ground – supporting contemporary art with the Richard Mille Art Prize (est. 2021) and financing the world’s first 100% female auto-racing team. Amanda welcomed us to the brand’s Paris HQ, where team and family co-exist – we meet her brother, her daughter and of course her father – Richard himself – who came to greet us warmly. It becomes evident very quickly that this family element brings the «je ne sais quoi» to the luxury brand and undoubtably has a role to play in its longevity and success.

  • Founded by her father Richard Mille in 2001, this no-holds-barred company paved the way for watchmaking in the new millennium. Twenty-two years on Amanda continues to conquer new ground – supporting contemporary art with the Richard Mille Art Prize (est. 2021) and financing the world’s first 100% female auto-racing team. Amanda welcomed us to the brand’s Paris HQ, where team and family co-exist – we meet her brother, her daughter and of course her father – Richard himself – who came to greet us warmly. It becomes evident very quickly that this family element brings the «je ne sais quoi» to the luxury brand and undoubtably has a role to play in its longevity and success.

  • As the daughter of the founder, was joining Richard Mille an obvious choice?

    It was anything but! Both my brother and I were lucky enough to be able to grow up and develop our careers without having to carry the weight of «you'll take over the company». We both went off and had several other experiences that eventually led us to the brand, but we ended up here for the right reasons.

  • Is it above all a family affair?

    I think so, and that's the strength of this brand! In a somewhat more sterile, post-covid world, we have realised that human beings can't be replaced and that human relationships have such a significant role to play. What's more, the family aspect is a central point often quoted by our customers as a reason why they love the brand.

  • Is there a universal bond that unites all watch lovers?

    I think the universal bond is the passion for a beautiful object that blends mechanics and design.

  • From the outset, the brand was determined not to place any restrictions on production costs. Are there truly no limits at Richard Mille?

    We have no limits. That's also what motivates us, I liken it to a researcher, if you know you can do anything, your mind has no limits, it doesn't waver.

  • Do you draw on the company's archives to design new models, or do you only look to the future?

    The foundations of the brand were to take the best of watchmaking from the past and combine it with a futuristic vision. The basics are always important. If you forget them, you end up losing yourself. You should always have one foot forward and one foot back.

  • As the daughter of the founder, was joining Richard Mille an obvious choice?

    It was anything but! Both my brother and I were lucky enough to be able to grow up and develop our careers without having to carry the weight of «you'll take over the company». We both went off and had several other experiences that eventually led us to the brand, but we ended up here for the right reasons.

  • Is it above all a family affair?

    I think so, and that's the strength of this brand! In a somewhat more sterile, post-covid world, we have realised that human beings can't be replaced and that human relationships have such a significant role to play. What's more, the family aspect is a central point often quoted by our customers as a reason why they love the brand.

  • Is there a universal bond that unites all watch lovers?

    I think the universal bond is the passion for a beautiful object that blends mechanics and design.

  • From the outset, the brand was determined not to place any restrictions on production costs. Are there truly no limits at Richard Mille?

    We have no limits. That's also what motivates us, I liken it to a researcher, if you know you can do anything, your mind has no limits, it doesn't waver.

  • Do you draw on the company's archives to design new models, or do you only look to the future?

    The foundations of the brand were to take the best of watchmaking from the past and combine it with a futuristic vision. The basics are always important. If you forget them, you end up losing yourself. You should always have one foot forward and one foot back.

  • Since its creation, Richard Mille has been associated with the world of sport, particularly Formula 1. Where does this love and unconditional support for motor sport come from?

    To be honest, my father is more passionate about cars than he is about watchmaking! He was always fascinated by the technology behind these vehicles. He saw a certain beauty in an engine and anything else that could be found in a car! I think he wanted to bring this world and its highly specialized technique to watchmaking.

  • You are also committed to promoting women's access to racing with the Richard Mille RacingTeam, at its inception it was the first 100%female auto racing team. Can you tell us more about this?

    When I met the racing driver Tatiana Calderón in the Middle East, we said to each other that it was so sad that there were women who had the potential to compete alongside men on motor racing circuits, but no one was giving them a chance or the right tools. We went about creating the Richard Mille Racing Team with 3 drivers, and the first two seasons out of three were 100% female because we wanted to bring this to light. However, over the years, discussions with the girls led us to understand that they would only be truly accepted the day that men agreed to drive with them, that was the moment we also brought men into the crew.

  • That's quite a risk?

    Last season, we came across a little nugget, the young French racing driver Lilou Wadoux, who showed extraordinary potential. We took a gamble on her even though she had never raced endurance and many people told us it might be too early. They were wrong. As a result, this year she finds herself as Ferrari's first female official endurance driver. I think our message got through!

  • It goes without saying that Richard Mille has created a number of models based around great sportsmen and women such as Rafael Nadal, to whom the brand has dedicated 7 models over the years. How did the story with Nadal come about?

    For us, what are commonly known as ambassadors are more like partners, and I like to think of them as life partners. Rafael and my father have a real friendship behind that partnership, one that has lasted for years. That's how we like to work with these partners.

  • Is loyalty important to you?

    It's essential! Our brand wouldn't be here if people hadn't believed in us. Our history has not been written on its own.

  • What is your vision of the future for Richard Mille?

    Of course I hope it will continue to be as successful as ever. In any case, continuity is important. My father worked very hard to get where we are today, but the hardest part is coming, being able to endure is always the biggest challenge, but with our values and our teams, I believe we have what it takes.

  • Since its creation, Richard Mille has been associated with the world of sport, particularly Formula 1. Where does this love and unconditional support for motor sport come from?

    To be honest, my father is more passionate about cars than he is about watchmaking! He was always fascinated by the technology behind these vehicles. He saw a certain beauty in an engine and anything else that could be found in a car! I think he wanted to bring this world and its highly specialized technique to watchmaking.

  • You are also committed to promoting women's access to racing with the Richard Mille RacingTeam, at its inception it was the first 100%female auto racing team. Can you tell us more about this?

    When I met the racing driver Tatiana Calderón in the Middle East, we said to each other that it was so sad that there were women who had the potential to compete alongside men on motor racing circuits, but no one was giving them a chance or the right tools. We went about creating the Richard Mille Racing Team with 3 drivers, and the first two seasons out of three were 100% female because we wanted to bring this to light. However, over the years, discussions with the girls led us to understand that they would only be truly accepted the day that men agreed to drive with them, that was the moment we also brought men into the crew.

  • That's quite a risk?

    Last season, we came across a little nugget, the young French racing driver Lilou Wadoux, who showed extraordinary potential. We took a gamble on her even though she had never raced endurance and many people told us it might be too early. They were wrong. As a result, this year she finds herself as Ferrari's first female official endurance driver. I think our message got through!

  • It goes without saying that Richard Mille has created a number of models based around great sportsmen and women such as Rafael Nadal, to whom the brand has dedicated 7 models over the years. How did the story with Nadal come about?

    For us, what are commonly known as ambassadors are more like partners, and I like to think of them as life partners. Rafael and my father have a real friendship behind that partnership, one that has lasted for years. That's how we like to work with these partners.

  • Is loyalty important to you?

    It's essential! Our brand wouldn't be here if people hadn't believed in us. Our history has not been written on its own.

  • What is your vision of the future for Richard Mille?

    Of course I hope it will continue to be as successful as ever. In any case, continuity is important. My father worked very hard to get where we are today, but the hardest part is coming, being able to endure is always the biggest challenge, but with our values and our teams, I believe we have what it takes.