Discover Richard Mille's Stunning Singapore Flagship
In its new flagship store in St Martin in Singapore, watchmaker Richard Mille turns the traditional idea of a watch boutique on its head.
There are watch boutiques and then there is Richard Mille’s new flagship boutique in St Martin, located in the Orchard Road shopping belt of Singapore. Spanning 700sq m, the expansive one storey space is the largest Richard Mille boutique in the world. It is also much more than a conventional store. Though the brand’s highly sought after timepieces can be found at the front, the space inside is meant to invite the Richard Mille customer, both current and future, deep into the world of the brand.
The facade resembles a traditional boutique, but inside it boasts 11 surprising, bespoke spaces.
One of the main inspirations for the flagship was prohibition-era speakeasies, with the facade and traditional boutique at the front concealing what lies inside. To give us a similar experience, those visiting the store for the first time were not told what to expect, but to discover the space at our own pace. While the facade of the building bears the traditional Richard Mille logo at the entrance, I am immediately conscious that this is no regular watch boutique as I step in. I was quite taken with the beautifully crafted wooden doors that leads into an elegant foyer area. A water feature and oversized sculpture of a woman, set against leaf-lined walls greeted me, giving me the distinct impression of an artistically designed space befitting of the Richard Mille universe.
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The Sports Bar, which shows live broadcasts of major matches involving the brand’s partners.
Inside, I am quietly awed by a curated selection of Richard Mille watches, including the new 07-01 Coloured Ceramics. Unlike a traditional watch boutique, the pieces presented in standalone showcases feel more like an art exhibit than a shop, quite apt considering how hard it can be for clients to get their hands on a timepiece. Stepping further inside, I quickly discover much more—there are 11 bespoke concept spaces including a restaurant (with fully functional kitchen), bar, sports bar, Riad and even a hidden library. The heart of the St Martin flagship is the crafting space that puts the watchmaker’s art front and centre, while allowing clients the chance to explore the brand’s movements.
Each space has its own identity while coming together to represent the different facets of the Richard Mille universe. “St Martin was designed in perfect harmony with this philosophy conducive to fostering human relationships. This venue awakens emotions and elevates the art of hospitality so dear to Richard Mille, thanks in particular to an innovative vision,” says Amanda Mille, the brand and partnerships director.
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The boutique entrance greets visitors with an oversized sculpture.
It’s no surprise that this project was a true labour of love for Richard Mille. The brand’s in-house architecture team worked for three years to put it together, riffing off its different universes and mining inspiration from the founder himself. Says Alexandre Mille, the brand director, “We wanted people to travel and visit the mind of Richard Mille.” Much of the furniture and decorative elements for St Martin were designed especially for each of the rooms. The Sports Bar, for example, has plush leather sofas, wines on display in a design feature that spans the walls, and large television screens showing screenings of sports like tennis and racing, taking inspiration from friends of the brand like Rafael Nadal and Charles LeClerc. While the Library, rich with a variety of design titles across all genres and interests, is a cosy spot for guests to read in.
All spaces bear a discreetly elegant ambience and a sense of refinement even as they adopt different design themes. The outdoor Riad with its leafy plants and water features immediately transport me to another country altogether, nevermind that we are in Orchard Road, evoking the founder’s time growing up in the south of France. Yet despite their differences, the spaces form a cohesive whole, bringing to the fore a story of memories, moments and travel inspiration across different cultures.
The Restaurant.
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With an airy, open-plan concept, St Martin doesn’t impose what it should or should not be on its visitors. Instead, there is a sense of warmth and informality that welcomes you—this is a place I can see myself spending many comfortable hours in, which is precisely the plan of the brand: to surprise and delight. “The architectural organisation of St Martin creates a feeling of astonishment at not having guessed such a space could exist behind this door. Discovering it makes you wonder what the next surprise will be. Our intention was to play with visitors’ expectations,” shares Alexandre Mille.
The RM07-01 Coloured Ceramic watch in blush pink with a skeletonised automatic movement, and a power reserve of about 50 hours, Richard Mille.
In keeping with Richard Mille’s tradition of craftsmanship and innovation, a large and broad array of artistic crafts was brought together for its design. Almost 30 specialists contributed in some way and form to the layout and decoration of the different spaces. These beautiful elements are crafted from 250 materials including wood, metal, stone and glass. One of the highlights of St Martin is a work by the French visual artist William Amor, which features an olive tree taking root in the centre, with leaves made from recycled plastic waste. Symbolising loyalty, resistance, friendship, peace and health, it is also a nod to the Mediterranean basin, a region that is dear to Richard Mille. Again it is symbolic of the heart and memory that informs the design of St Martin. By stepping away from the confines of what a traditional watch boutique and experience can be for its clients, Richard Mille has created a true destination for lovers of the brand from all over the world.