Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – Richard Mille watches are usually about as subtle as a fireworks display at a library. They’re bold, they’re brash, and they’re absolutely unapologetic about it. But the RM 16-02 Automatic Extraflat? This one’s different. Think of it as the quiet, sophisticated cousin who still somehow manages to steal the show at family gatherings.
First Impressions Matter
The first time you see the 16-02, you might actually do a double-take. “Wait, that’s a Richard Mille?” Yes, yes it is. While its cousins like the RM 35-03 look ready for a sci-fi movie and the RM 11-03 could moonlight as a spaceship dashboard, the 16-02 is surprisingly… elegant? It’s like Richard Mille decided to wear a tuxedo instead of their usual Formula 1 racing suit.
At just 8.25mm thick, it’s genuinely slim. For context, that’s about as thick as two stacked credit cards and significantly thinner than most of its RM siblings. But don’t let that foolyou – this watch still has presence. It’s just more “I own the room” than “look at me!”
Living With It
After wearing several Richard Mille pieces over the years (including the chunky RM 11 series), the 16-02 is a completely different experience. You know how some RMs feel like you’re wearing an engineering marvel that happens to tell time? This one just feels like… a watch. A ridiculously well-made watch, but still a watch.
The titanium case means it’s light enough to forget you’re wearing it, which is not something I often say about Richard Mille pieces. It slides under a shirt cuff without fighting you – a neat trick for a tonneau-shaped case. And unlike its more attention-seeking siblings, you can actually wear this to a board meeting without everyone stopping mid-sentence to stare at your wrist.
The Daily Experience
Here’s what a typical day with the 16-02 looks like:
Morning: It catches the light during your coffee run, but subtly. The finishing is so good it almost looks liquid in direct sunlight.
Afternoon: You’re in meetings all day, and this is where you appreciate its slimness. No awkward sleeve-pulling or constant adjustments.
Evening: This is when the watch really shows its versatility. It works just as well with a t-shirt as it does with formal wear. Try that with an RM 27-04 Tourbillon!
The Tech Stuff (Because We Still Care)
Look, it’s still a Richard Mille, which means the engineering is absolutely bonkers. The RMAS7 movement is basically a masterclass in how to make something complicated look simple. The micro-rotor is platinum (because of course it is), and the whole thing is built like a Formula 1 car – if Formula 1 cars were designed by minimalists.
Compared to Its Siblings
Having handled quite a few RMs, here’s how the 16-02 stacks up:
- Less in-your-face than the RM 11 series (though I still love those)
- More wearable than the RM 35 series (sorry, Nadal)
- More versatile than pretty much all of them
The Reality Check
Let’s be honest – this is still a Richard Mille. It’s still eye-wateringly expensive, and you could probably buy a nice house for the same money. But if you’re already in the market for an RM, this one makes a surprising amount of sense.
Who’s It For?
- The collector who already has the loud pieces and wants something quieter
- The successful professional who wants a serious watch that won’t scream across the conference room
- Anyone who loves the engineering of Richard Mille but could do without the usual visual drama
The Bottom Line
The RM 16-02 is what happens when Richard Mille decides to whisper instead of shout. It’s still unmistakably RM – the DNA is there in every perfectly finished surface and engineering solution. But it’s RM for the days when you don’t need everyone in a three-block radius to know what’s on your wrist.
Is it still excessive? Absolutely. Is it still a technical tour de force? You bet. But it’s these things in a package that doesn’t feel the need to announce itself. And in today’s world of look-at-me luxury, that might be the most radical thing about it.
Would I buy it with my own money? If I had “Richard Mille money,” this would probably be the one. It’s the kind of watch that makes you feel special without making you feel like you’re trying too hard. And in the world of ultra-luxury watches, that’s a rare thing indeed.
