Footballer Neymar Jr spotted wearing a Richard Mille

Barcelona CF forward Neymar Jr was photographed wearing one of the rarest timepieces Richard Mille has ever released: the RM 051 Phoenix Michelle Yeoh, a limited series of exactly 18 individually numbered examples. The number is no accident — it is the personal favourite of Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh, who collaborated directly with Richard Mille on the watch's design and narrative, making the RM 051 one of the most intimate co-creations in the manufacture's history.

The Richard Mille RM 051 is built around a manual-winding tourbillon movement, calibre RM51, constructed in grade-5 titanium and ARCAP alloy. The baseplate and bridges are skeletonised in Richard Mille's characteristic engineering aesthetic, but the RM 051 goes considerably further than most of the brand's sport-oriented references. The centrepiece is a three-dimensional phoenix sculpted in 18-karat red gold with hand-applied feather detailing, set against a backdrop decorated with Chinese-inspired lacquer and engraving work — a process requiring hundreds of hours of ateliers-level craftsmanship. The case itself is tonneau-shaped, crafted in titanium, and measures approximately 50mm, consistent with Richard Mille's standard sizing philosophy.

Collector significance is immense. The RM 051 Phoenix occupies a crossover space between haute horlogerie and high jewellery that very few watches manage convincingly. With only 18 pieces released globally, secondary-market appearances are extraordinarily rare. The combination of a functioning tourbillon, museum-quality decorative arts, and an ultra-low production number places the RM 051 in a category shared by perhaps a handful of contemporary watchmakers. Richard Mille references in this tier have historically appreciated sharply and rarely surface at auction without spirited bidding.

Neymar Jr has been a formal Richard Mille partner for years, and his collection spans some of the brand's most technical and visually arresting pieces — from the RM 027 tennis-inspired tourbillon to multiple RM 011 flybacks. Spotting him with the RM 051 Phoenix, however, signals a collector reaching into genuinely scarce territory well beyond typical ambassador inventory.

Retail pricing on the Richard Mille RM 051 Phoenix Michelle Yeoh was set between approximately £375,000 and £460,000 at UK RRP, placing the USD equivalent in the $480,000–$600,000 range at launch. On the grey market, given its extreme scarcity, confirmed resale transactions have exceeded retail substantially, with some estimates placing current value north of $700,000 depending on provenance and condition.