Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Olivier Giroud spotted wearing Richard Mille

Olivier Giroud, France international and Arsenal striker at the time of this sighting, was photographed wearing a Richard Mille RM011 AJ RG — the rose gold variant of the brand's landmark flyback chronograph. The combination of elite sport and ultra-luxury horology is hardly surprising from Giroud, who has consistently demonstrated a discerning eye for serious watchmaking.

The Richard Mille RM011 debuted in 2007 and represented a pivotal moment for the Le Brassus-based manufacture. It was the first model to use the RMAC1 calibre — an automatic movement developed in partnership with Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi — delivering a flyback chronograph complication alongside an annual calendar with month and date display. The movement beats at 28,800 vph, offers approximately 55 hours of power reserve, and is visible in its full skeletonized glory through the sapphire crystal case back. The tonneau-shaped case measures 50mm × 40mm, broad but remarkably thin at 19.5mm lug-to-lug depth, making it more wearable than its dimensions suggest.

The RM011 AJ RG designation confirms the 18k rose gold case construction, which adds considerable weight and warmth relative to the titanium or carbon TPT variants. Rose gold RM011 references sit at the top of the production hierarchy for this model — fewer are made, and the material cost alone commands a significant premium. The reference has been produced in multiple limited editions tied to Felipe Massa and the McLaren Formula 1 team, reinforcing the RM011's motorsport and athlete DNA.

From a collector standpoint, the RM011 remains one of Richard Mille's most important references. It anchored the brand's early credibility among serious horophiles and demonstrated that complicated, high-performance movements could coexist with avant-garde case engineering. Secondary market demand remains robust, particularly for gold-cased examples in strong condition with full set documentation.

Giroud has long been associated with luxury watch culture, making the RM011 AJ RG a coherent rather than casual choice. At approximately £92,500 at UK retail, this is not an impulse purchase — it signals a collector with intent. On the grey market, rose gold RM011 examples routinely command prices above retail, reflecting sustained demand and limited availability.