Cover The outer riad area at Richard Mille’s St Martin flagship in Singapore (Photo: courtesy of Richard Mille)
The outer riad area at Richard Mille’s St Martin flagship in Singapore (Photo: courtesy of Richard Mille)
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The luxury watch brand’s new lifestyle space in Singapore follows the same exacting standards of craftsmanship as their intricate watchmaking process
Swiss manufacture Richard Mille stands out for its bold designs that encase the latest, most daring technology and intricate mechanisms. This approach is replicated on a larger scale at the brand’s new boutique in Singapore: a 7,500 sq ft lifestyle space in the Lion City’s Orchard Road district, St Martin takes its cues from a classic speakeasy, its traditional shopfront concealing the treasure trove within.
Stepping inside the St Martin boutique is like being immersed in the brand’s ethos: each room exudes a unique vibe, reflecting the multifaceted inspirations of the brand’s founder himself. The boutique contains not only areas dedicated to Richard Mille creations, but also other aspects of luxury lifestyle. At the opening of the boutique, chief operating officer of Richard Mille Asia Bryan Tan spoke about the challenges faced by the team while designing the boutique. At the press conference held at the boutique in early October, he said, “[There were many] unforgettable experiences and unforeseeable circumstances, not to forget that Covid happened, which caused a lot of the work to stop, but I’m glad that we didn’t compromise on what we wanted to achieve.”
Above The restaurant housed inside the boutique (Photo: courtesy of Richard Mille)
The restaurant housed inside the boutique (Photo: courtesy of Richard Mille)
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Alexandre Mille, brand director and son of Richard Mille, chimed in, saying, “We could have compromised a lot on so many aspects, but with the team here in Singapore, in Paris and suppliers, every time we faced an issue, instead of taking the easy way out, just like we do with our watches, we decided to do what’s right.”
The hub is the heart of the St Martin boutique; dominated by a striking installation of an olive tree by French artist William Amor—one of 30 artisans to contribute to the boutique’s aesthetic—which symbolises friendship, peace and health; it is the starting point of the journey through the interconnected spaces. The crafting space is an ode to the artistry and attention to detail that go into each Richard Mille timepiece. Here, visitors can witness artisans at work, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and excellence.
The restaurant offers a menu that features a mix of local and international cuisine, carefully curated to cater to a variety of palates, while the Bar is a nod to the speakeasy concept, offering a wide array of beverages in an intimate, relaxed setting. The sports bar is a tribute to Richard Mille’s passion for sport and the brand’s numerous partnerships with athletes. It features a dynamic, energetic atmosphere, complete with sporting memorabilia and live screenings of various sporting events.
Above Watchmaker’s bench at the venue (Photo: courtesy of Richard Mille)
Watchmaker’s bench at the venue (Photo: courtesy of Richard Mille)
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Inspired by the traditional Moroccan houses, the riad is an open-air space that offers a peaceful retreat, complete with lush greenery and a tranquil water feature. It’s a relaxing space where visitors can take a breather and enjoy the Singaporean sun. But Tatler’s favourite spot was the hidden library, which houses an extensive collection of books on a broad range of subjects, including watchmaking, design, cars, and items that illustrate the many passions of Richard Mille, such as casks of rare Chinese Moutai baijus. At the time of our visit, the RM S14 Talisman Origine, which is a unique piece meant to be auctioned for Only Watch 2023, was showcased here. This space is meant to be a sanctuary where visitors can delve deeper into the brand’s rich history and influences—or maybe catch a glimpse into the eclectic mind of Richard Mille himself.
As with the watches, this Richard Mille boutique blends technical innovation with creative passion.
As the Regional Editor for Watches and Jewellery and Editorial Content Lead for Tatler GMT, Amrita Katara specialises in luxury watch and jewellery coverage across Asia, with expertise in editorial strategy, feature writing and interviews with industry leaders. Her past roles span luxury lifestyle media and client partnerships. Based in Mumbai, Amrita’s work bridges global trends and Asian market insights.
