Watch Paparazzi

Royal Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani spotted wearing Richard Mille

Prince Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and one of the most influential figures in international sport governance, was recently spotted wearing the Richard Mille RM 67-02 Automatic 'Qatar' — a limited collaboration piece that sits at the intersection of national identity, athletic achievement, and haute horlogerie engineering.

The Richard Mille RM 67-02 was originally introduced as an ultra-thin automatic calibre designed for athletes who needed a wrist-worn instrument that would not interfere with performance. The base RM 67-02 platform houses the in-house CRMA7 automatic movement — a skeletonized calibre measuring just 3.6mm thick, with a variable geometry rotor and a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. The 'Qatar' edition pushes the concept further: the tonneau-shaped case is fabricated from Quartz TPT and Carbon TPT layered in maroon and white, directly referencing the Qatari national flag. The result is a watch that tips the scales at a remarkable 32 grams complete, making it the lightest self-winding timepiece Richard Mille has ever produced.

The collaboration with Mutaz Barshim — the Qatari high jumper who claimed Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 in a famously shared finish — adds a layer of sporting mythology to an already technically ambitious reference. Barshim worked with Richard Mille on proportions and wearability, ensuring the watch could theoretically be worn during competition. The RM 67-02 Qatar is not a simple colorway exercise; it is a purpose-engineered national emblem in watch form.

For collectors, the RM 67-02 'Qatar' represents one of the more geographically specific Richard Mille editions, produced in extremely limited numbers and distributed through tightly controlled channels. Its combination of patriotic symbolism, athlete provenance, and genuine technical distinction makes it a strong long-term collectible in the RM ecosystem.

Prince Joaan's choice of this particular reference is far from incidental. As the man who steered Qatar through its Olympic ambitions and hosted Barshim's historic victory, wearing the RM 67-02 'Qatar' is a coherent personal statement. At a retail price of $178,550 and trading on the grey market closer to $300,000, the market clearly agrees.