# Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson – A Skeletonised Sprint‑Ready Sports Watch When Richard Mille unveiled the RM 055 “Bubba Watson” in 2012, it was billed as a pure‑sport instrument built around a hand‑wound, fully skeletonised calibre that could survive the brutal forces of professional golf and extreme motorsport alike. Forty‑two‑point‑seven millimetres of grade‑5 titanium, an ATZ ceramic bezel, and a rubber‑injected titanium strap combine to give the watch an almost weightless feel, while the RMUL2 movement offers a 55‑hour power reserve and can endure accelerations exceeding 500 g. In the years since its debut the model has earned a reputation for eye‑catching architecture, extreme durability, and a price tag that firmly places it in the ultra‑luxury tier. Below we break down how the RM 055 performs on the bench, on the wrist, and whether its lofty price is justified. --- ## Design & Case **Dimensions & Materials** – The RM 055 measures 42.7 mm in diameter, a size that feels substantial without being overbearing thanks to the lightweight grade‑5 titanium construction. The case is wrapped in a thin layer of ATZ (Aluminium‑Titanium‑Zirconium) ceramic on the bezel, a material that rates around 1,400 Vickers on the Mohs scale—second only to diamond in scratch resistance. The strap is a unique rubber‑injected titanium band that fuses the rigidity of metal with the shock‑absorbing qualities of rubber, delivering a comfortable, vibration‑isolating fit that feels almost like a second skin. **Dial & Skeletonisation** – The dial is essentially an open cage. The RMUL2’s bridges, plates, and balance wheel are all exposed through a network of sapphire‑glass windows, culminating in a sapphire case‑back that offers an unobstructed view of the movement’s inner choreography. The skeletonised architecture is not merely aesthetic; it showcases the variable‑inertia balance wheel and the hand‑wound barrel, letting the wearer watch the power reserve indicator swing in real time. The absence of a traditional hour‑minute‑second sub‑dial keeps the face clean, but it also means the watch offers only the basic time‑keeping functions. **Finish & Details** – The ATZ bezel is polished to a mirror‑like sheen, while the titanium case receives a subtle PVD/Titalyt® treatment that adds a faint brushed texture. The crown is a titanium screw‑down type, integrated into the case to preserve the watch’s aerodynamic silhouette. Overall, the design is unapologetically futuristic, echoing the same language found on Richard Mille’s high‑G chronographs, yet it remains recognisable as a “Bubba Watson” piece thanks to the signature rubber‑injected strap. --- ## Movement & Performance **Calibre RMUL2** – At the heart of the RM 055 sits the manual‑winding, fully skeletonised Calibre RMUL2. This movement is built on a grade‑5 titanium base plate and bridges, an uncommon choice that reduces overall weight while maintaining rigidity. Its most notable technical feature is the variable‑inertia balance wheel, which automatically adjusts its moment of inertia in response to impacts. This design ensures reliable time‑keeping even when the watch is subjected to the 500 g accelerations it’s rated for—a claim verified by Richard Mille’s internal testing. **Power Reserve & Accuracy** – The barrel delivers a 55‑hour power reserve, ample for a manual‑wind piece that is often worn daily. In laboratory testing the RMUL2 typically scores within –2 to +3 seconds per day, a respectable range for a hand‑wound, skeletonised calibre. The movement’s skeletonisation does not compromise stability; the balance wheel’s variable‑inertia system and the use of titanium for the escapement components help mitigate positional errors. **Complications & Limitations** – The RM 055 is deliberately minimalist: it displays only hours, minutes, seconds, and a power‑reserve indicator. Enthusiasts seeking a date function, chronograph, or tourbillon will be disappointed. The lack of additional complications is a frequent point of criticism, especially given the watch’s price bracket. **Serviceability** – The complex case construction—titanium‑ceramic hybrid, rubber‑injected strap, and sapphire back—means that servicing the RM 055 is more involved than for a conventional steel watch. Authorized Richard Mille service centres require specialized tools and longer turnaround times, a factor potential buyers should consider. --- ## On the Wrist **Wearability** – Despite its 42.7 mm case, the RM 055 feels surprisingly light. The combination of titanium and the rubber‑injected strap reduces the overall mass to roughly 70 grams, making it comfortable for all‑day wear and even for high‑impact activities such as golf swings or track days. The strap’s rubber component absorbs micro‑vibrations, which not only enhances comfort but also protects the movement from shock‑induced stress. **Lug‑to‑Lug & Ergonomics** – The watch’s lug‑to‑lug spread is about 48 mm, providing a balanced silhouette on a variety of wrist sizes. The integrated crown sits flush with the case, eliminating snag points and preserving the aerodynamic profile. The sapphire case‑back, while beautiful, adds a slight thickness (approximately 12 mm total case height), but this is offset by the lightweight strap. **Water Resistance** – Official specifications list a water resistance of 30 meters (3 ATM). Some early marketing material mistakenly quoted 50 meters, but the confirmed rating is 30 m, which is adequate for rain or brief splashes but unsuitable for swimming or diving. This limitation aligns with the watch’s primary positioning as a sport‑performance piece rather than a dive watch. **Comfort Notes** – Users repeatedly note the strap’s “rubber‑injected” feel as a major comfort factor. The strap conforms to the wrist over time, reducing pressure points that can develop with traditional metal bracelets. However, the titanium case can feel slightly cold in winter, a characteristic of most high‑grade titanium watches. --- ## Value & Verdict **Price Positioning** – While Richard Mille does not publish a fixed retail price for the RM 055, the model is consistently described in market reports as occupying the “ultra‑luxury tier,” with retail figures typically ranging from €200 000 to €250 000 (approximately $220 000‑$275 000 USD) depending on configuration and market. This places it firmly alongside the brand’s flagship chronographs such as the RM 011 Felipe Massa, which retails around $175 000. **Strengths** * **Technical Brilliance** – The variable‑inertia balance wheel and 500 g impact rating are engineering feats rarely seen outside of dedicated high‑G chronographs. * **Skeletonised Aesthetic** – The fully exposed movement, complemented by a sapphire case‑back, offers one of the most spectacular visual experiences on the market. * **Comfort & Wearability** – The rubber‑injected titanium strap provides a unique blend of lightness and shock absorption, making the watch surprisingly comfortable for an ultra‑luxury sport piece. **Weaknesses** * **Limited Complications** – With only basic time‑keeping and a power‑reserve indicator, the watch may feel under‑featured for its price. * **Modest Water Resistance** – A 30 m rating limits its utility in wet environments, a point of contention for buyers expecting a more versatile sport watch. * **Servicing Complexity** – The hybrid case construction can lead to longer, costlier service intervals compared with more conventional watches. **Final Take** – The Richard Mille RM 055 Bubba Watson is not a watch you buy for everyday practicality; it is a statement piece that celebrates the intersection of avant‑garde design and extreme engineering. If you are a collector who values skeletal artistry, ultra‑light construction, and a movement that can survive the forces of a professional athlete’s world, the RM 055 delivers exactly that—and does so with a level of craftsmanship that justifies its ultra‑luxury price tag. For anyone seeking more conventional complications, better water resistance, or a more service‑friendly case, the RM 055 may feel more like a museum exhibit than a daily companion. In short, the RM 055 is a technical marvel wrapped in a daring aesthetic. It excels at what it sets out to do—showcase a high‑G, hand‑wound skeleton—while its few compromises are a small price to pay for owning one of the most striking sport watches of the past decade.