Royal Hassanal Bolkiah spotted wearing a Richard Mille

The Sultan of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, was recently photographed wearing a Richard Mille RM67-01 in white gold — a timepiece that occupies a genuinely unusual position within the brand's catalog. For a manufacture synonymous with extreme thickness, bold architecture, and motorsport-driven bulk, the RM67-01 stands apart as an exercise in restraint.

The Richard Mille RM67-01 was introduced as the thinnest watch Richard Mille had ever built, measuring just 7.75mm in total case height. That figure is remarkable given the brand's engineering DNA, which typically prioritizes shock resistance and structural complexity over slimness. The RM67-01 is powered by the CRMA6 automatic caliber — developed in-house by Richard Mille — featuring a variable geometry rotor that adjusts winding efficiency based on the wearer's activity level. The movement runs at 28,800 vph and delivers a 50-hour power reserve. The skeletonized dial allows full visibility of the architecture beneath. In white gold, the case takes on a cooler, more formal character than the titanium or carbon fiber variants, elevating the piece toward haute joaillerie territory without abandoning its technical identity.

Among collectors, the RM67 reference occupies an interesting niche. It attracted a different audience than the RM011 or RM035 — buyers who wanted Richard Mille's movement technology and exclusivity but in a package suited to a dinner jacket rather than a racing suit. The white gold execution is among the most prized configurations, produced in very limited numbers and rarely appearing on the secondary market in unworn condition.

Hassanal Bolkiah, the 29th Sultan of Brunei and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world, is no casual watch wearer. His collection is understood to include hundreds of significant pieces across virtually every major manufacture. Choosing the RM67-01 in white gold signals an appreciation for technical achievement delivered with discretion — a combination that defines serious collectors.

The Richard Mille RM67-01 in white gold carries a UK list price of approximately £95,000, translating to roughly $120,000 USD at current exchange rates. On the grey market, demand for white gold RM67 examples has kept prices firm, typically trading at or above retail given their limited production and the reference's growing collector profile.