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basketball player James Harden spotted wearing a Richard Mille RM55

Basketball player James Harden spotted wearing Richard Mille

30/11/2022

Description: Richard Mille RM55 'Bubba Watson' Grey NTPT Carbon Limited Edition – James Harden Spotted Wearing 50-Piece Limited Run
Ref: RM55
List Price: $80,000
Market Price (estimated): unknown
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James Harden has never been a subtle presence — on the court or on the wrist — and his latest sighting adds another serious entry to an already formidable personal collection. The NBA All-Star was spotted wearing a Richard Mille RM55 'Bubba Watson' in grey NTPT carbon with a light blue strap, one of just 50 examples produced in this specific configuration.

The Richard Mille RM55 was developed in close collaboration with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, designed to withstand the violent torque of a professional golf swing while remaining extraordinarily light on the wrist. The case, constructed from North Thin Ply Technology carbon fiber — a material derived from aerospace and America's Cup yacht racing — measures 49.94mm × 42.28mm and weighs just grams. Inside sits the manually wound caliber RM55, a skeletonized movement featuring a variable geometry rotor, a baseplate and bridges machined from grade 5 titanium, and a tourbillon regulator that provides visual drama alongside genuine anti-shock performance. Power reserve runs to approximately 48 hours.

The grey NTPT variant of the RM55 is distinct from the more commonly seen white version associated with Watson's on-course use. Limited to 50 pieces globally, the grey configuration carries an additional layer of collector desirability — NTPT carbon's layered structure means no two cases are visually identical, giving each example a unique surface pattern reminiscent of wood grain or carbon fiber topography. The light blue strap Harden is wearing provides a deliberate contrast against the dark case, a combination that reads as considered rather than accidental.

Harden has worn Richard Mille pieces consistently throughout his career, aligning himself with a brand that has cultivated deep roots in both professional basketball and celebrity culture. His taste runs toward the technically ambitious end of the RM catalog, and the RM55 fits that profile precisely — it is simultaneously a legitimate horological object and an unmistakable status signal.

At UK list price of approximately £80,000 — translating to roughly $100,000 USD at prevailing rates — the RM55 'Bubba Watson' sits at a significant but not ceiling-level price point within Richard Mille's range. On the secondary market, the grey NTPT limited edition commands meaningful premiums over retail given its 50-piece production ceiling, with authenticated examples regularly trading well above list when they surface at auction or through specialist grey-market dealers.