So today i had the opportunity to try the RM-55 White Drive. And boy, was i surprised and impressed by it!
In the past, Richard Mille reps were well known to be poorly built, shoddily finished and haphazardly put together. But this current offering from the factories, KVF specifically, has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Granted, there won't be a truely 1:1 replica of an RM but i must say, KVF has done a rather swell job at making a rep for us Richard Mille fans an opportunity to own a decently built replica of our favourite brand.
That being said, of course, there are flaws. Some would say miniscule, some would say major. But to me, the rareness and uniqueness of the RM makes it a hard watch to see in the wild. Unless you surround yourselves with the "Millenation", chances of you bumping into another guy wearing a gen RM is pretty slim. My take on wearing really high end watches like this, be it gen or rep is to wear it with the utmost confidence.
The main flaws of the watch is again subjective to all. But for me, for the price it is being offered and versus the price the genuine watch is being offered at, i'd say we have a pretty good deal. Ultimately, the build of the watch is solid and it really feels very well made. I had the chance to handle a few gen RM before. Namely, i have had my hands on the RM-010, RM-011, RM-28 and the awesome RM-35-01, and as much as it sounds cliche, this RM-55 i have on my wrist gave me that same feeling as when i had the gen RMs on. The dial and the see thru movement, i mean, we got to give props to KVF for achieving an almost 80% resemblance to the genuine movement. I find myself mesmerised staring at the dial and seeing the watch on my wrist. Truly, i am very impressed with the overall feel of the watch. It sound materialistic, but i am happy to have it and will be sad when i return it to the owner later next week.
I just hope the factories will improve on certain things because the RM reps have gained in popularity of late. If they could do a truly nicer reps for the RM-005 or the RM-010, it will and surely be a best seller. Just don't do the same mistakes some of the other factories have done. I see no excuse when they have the genuine watch and yet, they can't get a simple watch such as the AP Diver at the first try. Can't believe there are 8 versions of it in total. And they still got it wrong. Anyway, that is for another discussion, haha. At the rate KVF is going, i am sure the RM reps will be better and better. And with ZFAC lurking in the corner, we can expect a great year for RM fans here in the Replica World. I wait with anticipation on what will be offered. It will be an expensive year if the reps continue to be of the quality KVF has set the standard at.
Below is my overall score and verdict.
Good:
Well built case and finishing
Dial is beautiful
Rubber strap feels nice on the wrist
The clasp is as per gen, nice and solid when it opens and closes
Overall feels very high quality, and gives you that "gen" feel.
Bad:
If there was a sour note, it would be the movement. If only a different kind of movement could be used to replicate perhaps 70-80 % of the genuine movement, i think alot of people would buy this replica. But, it is after all a sub 300-400 dollar rep. To even have the whole watch at 60-70% accurate is good enough for me.
Final Verdict:
This watch, to me is a definite buy to the right collector. If you want a fun statement piece that says "Fuck you, notice me" when you come into a room, then this is for you. Also if you are like me who is just a Richard Mille nerd through and through. But if you want an accurate piece to showoff and ballin' to people, this might not be the watch for you. Especially if your circle are watch snobs and you love to occasionally floss on Instagram. Ultimately, to me personally, buy what you want and buy what makes you happy. In the end, its all about you.
I wore this watch while going home taking the subway. LOL.
So i hope my review will convince those on the fence to jump ship and buy it! Join us, join the #millenation
Cheers all!
In the past, Richard Mille reps were well known to be poorly built, shoddily finished and haphazardly put together. But this current offering from the factories, KVF specifically, has opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Granted, there won't be a truely 1:1 replica of an RM but i must say, KVF has done a rather swell job at making a rep for us Richard Mille fans an opportunity to own a decently built replica of our favourite brand.
That being said, of course, there are flaws. Some would say miniscule, some would say major. But to me, the rareness and uniqueness of the RM makes it a hard watch to see in the wild. Unless you surround yourselves with the "Millenation", chances of you bumping into another guy wearing a gen RM is pretty slim. My take on wearing really high end watches like this, be it gen or rep is to wear it with the utmost confidence.
The main flaws of the watch is again subjective to all. But for me, for the price it is being offered and versus the price the genuine watch is being offered at, i'd say we have a pretty good deal. Ultimately, the build of the watch is solid and it really feels very well made. I had the chance to handle a few gen RM before. Namely, i have had my hands on the RM-010, RM-011, RM-28 and the awesome RM-35-01, and as much as it sounds cliche, this RM-55 i have on my wrist gave me that same feeling as when i had the gen RMs on. The dial and the see thru movement, i mean, we got to give props to KVF for achieving an almost 80% resemblance to the genuine movement. I find myself mesmerised staring at the dial and seeing the watch on my wrist. Truly, i am very impressed with the overall feel of the watch. It sound materialistic, but i am happy to have it and will be sad when i return it to the owner later next week.
I just hope the factories will improve on certain things because the RM reps have gained in popularity of late. If they could do a truly nicer reps for the RM-005 or the RM-010, it will and surely be a best seller. Just don't do the same mistakes some of the other factories have done. I see no excuse when they have the genuine watch and yet, they can't get a simple watch such as the AP Diver at the first try. Can't believe there are 8 versions of it in total. And they still got it wrong. Anyway, that is for another discussion, haha. At the rate KVF is going, i am sure the RM reps will be better and better. And with ZFAC lurking in the corner, we can expect a great year for RM fans here in the Replica World. I wait with anticipation on what will be offered. It will be an expensive year if the reps continue to be of the quality KVF has set the standard at.
Below is my overall score and verdict.
Good:
Well built case and finishing
Dial is beautiful
Rubber strap feels nice on the wrist
The clasp is as per gen, nice and solid when it opens and closes
Overall feels very high quality, and gives you that "gen" feel.
Bad:
If there was a sour note, it would be the movement. If only a different kind of movement could be used to replicate perhaps 70-80 % of the genuine movement, i think alot of people would buy this replica. But, it is after all a sub 300-400 dollar rep. To even have the whole watch at 60-70% accurate is good enough for me.
Final Verdict:
This watch, to me is a definite buy to the right collector. If you want a fun statement piece that says "Fuck you, notice me" when you come into a room, then this is for you. Also if you are like me who is just a Richard Mille nerd through and through. But if you want an accurate piece to showoff and ballin' to people, this might not be the watch for you. Especially if your circle are watch snobs and you love to occasionally floss on Instagram. Ultimately, to me personally, buy what you want and buy what makes you happy. In the end, its all about you.
I wore this watch while going home taking the subway. LOL.
So i hope my review will convince those on the fence to jump ship and buy it! Join us, join the #millenation
