RICHARD MILLE AND BUBBA WATSON UNVEIL THEIR LATEST LIMITED-EDITION BEAUTY WITH A HISTORIC AND VERY PINK LAUNCH.

PRODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD MILLE

Bubba Watson is considered one of the greatest American professional golfers of all time. He also happens to be a brand ambassador for one of the most prestigious watchmakers in the world. Since their fateful meeting in 2010, the great Richard Mille and Bubba Watson were a match made in heaven—save for one detail—Bubba’s obsession with his lucky color pink. Although he couldn’t get the illustrious watchmaker to agree to make his first or second timepiece in the color pink to match his iconic driver, as they say, third time’s a charm, and on May 9, 2022, that dream came true as it was presented with a special global launch in Miami.

PRODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD MILLE

Revealing the Tourbillon RM 38-02 Bubba Watson, The Pink Watch, Richard Mille, alongside the golfer, presented the partnership’s first pink watch. For those unfamiliar with the process of designing these complex timepieces, getting approval for a new color is far from simple.

“My vision began 10 years ago when I was bugging Richard and his lovely family to make my pink watch,” the golfer shares. “There’s so many factors that go into each model of the watches, from the artistry and fashion of it, but also taking the time to factor in my golf swing. It has to be a very precise weight and movement for the watch to be able to withstand my swing. Their engineers have brilliant minds. For them to finally agree to put out a pink watch, after years of asking and getting their approval, was pretty special and overwhelming to me.”

Bubba Watson’s wish came through this spring as Richard Mille finally granted him his first pink watch, inspired by his lucky charm color. CAMPAIGN PHOTO BY MATHIEU CESAR

Richard Mille Global Director of Marketing Tim Malachard adds, “Out of all of the colors we’ve done over the years, none of them were pink, and we realized it’s about time we launch the pink. But it of course had to be a very specific pink—the ‘Bubba Pink,’ to match his glove and driver. We were able to get the exact same color codes that we use on the bridges.”

Aside from the eye-catching color, the evolution of this latest edition is emblematic of the watchmaker’s advanced materials, matching the evolution of the game of golf as well.

Bubba Watson’s wish came through this spring as Richard Mille finally granted him his first pink watch, inspired by his lucky charm color. CAMPAIGN PHOTO BY MATHIEU CESAR

“This piece is very much inspired by the other two editions—the 38 was a watch that was very minimalist. This timepiece is very much inspired by what you see on the design and decoration of his driver, and how it’s poly-engineered,” says Malachard. “The technique of this watch takes over the aesthetics. For us, it was important to withstand shock, 5,000 g’s at least. Because Bubba is known to be a big hitter, we need to make sure it is functional and can be worn while golfing. Putting a watch on Bubba’s wrist is a big deal—back when our partnership first started, it was a big no-no in the industry. Now, we’ve gotten the technique and can put out the fancy color.”

“The reason why the driver is built this way, especially on the bottom, is that it’s aerodynamic. They’re trying to get the air to flow, and when I look at this watch, I think about aerodynamics, the machine, the engineers, how they had to come together and make this watch braceable for me to play. It’s so lightweight—when you look at it, you see exactly what Tim is saying about drawing inspiration from the driver and turning it into a piece of wearable, fashionable artistry. This is like the Mona Lisa of wrist fashion. It is just a beauty,” declares Watson.

PRODUCT PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD MILLE

He continues, “Passion is something the brand has in its veins and is what initially attracted me to come on and work with Richard and his family. I’m not blood, but I feel part of the family—when we see each other, it’s not about what we’re doing next, how we sell this or that—it’s family first. And the sky’s the limit to what we’ll do next.” 9700 Collins Ave., #221, Bal Harbour, richardmille.com

THE BREAKDOWN

• Third tourbillon caliber developed with Bubba Watson

• Inspired by the color from Bubba’s universe, his “lucky charm” color

• Limited edition of 50 pieces worldwide

• Built around a baseplate in Carbon TPT, which comprises many layers of parallel carbon filaments

• Baseplate supports grade 5 titanium bridges

• The color nods to Bubba’s iconic Ping driver, with subtle touches of pink inside the movement.

• The color is present on the back of the caliber in a micro-perforated bridge, echoing the pattern of Bubba’s driver in action.

• Withstands shocks no less than 10,000 g’s

• Caliber only 9.19 mm thick