Luxury watchmaker Richard Mille continues its strategic push into elite winter sports by signing French mogul skier Arthur de Villaucourt. At just 22, the rising athlete joins the brand’s roster as he targets a top-30 world ranking and qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics-wearing the ultra-light RM 67-02 Automatic Extra Flat in competition.
Arthur might not yet be a household name, but that seems deliberate. Richard Mille has built its reputation by identifying athletes before they reach their commercial peak, and Arthur fits that pattern precisely. Right now, his primary objectives are straightforward: break into the top 30 in global rankings and secure qualification for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Those goals might sound modest compared to Olympic podium aspirations, but they reflect the measured ambition of someone still carving out his place within a brutally competitive discipline.
Mogul skiing: A high-impact, high-precision discipline
Mogul skiing requires a unique combination of physical endurance, technical precision, and creative expression. Unlike traditional alpine disciplines, mogul skiers must navigate a field of densely packed bumps while maintaining speed and control. The technique involves side-slipping, pivoting, cushioning, and pole-planting to absorb shocks while descending at high velocity. Competitors are judged on turns, air maneuvers, and speed, which means they need to balance technical execution with aerials that can reach heights of 20 feet or more.
Arthur has been building his reputation through a pioneering approach to these challenges. Coming back from injury, he’s set to compete in the FIS World and European Cups this season with renewed focus. The recovery process itself speaks to his persistence, though specifics about the injury remain undisclosed.
How Richard Mille identifies emerging athletic talent
The connection between Arthur and Richard Mille began through an unexpected encounter at an automotive event, where he met Maxime Guenat, Managing Director at Guenat SA Montres Valgine. Guenat noticed something beyond athletic potential: motivation and drive that aligned with the brand’s values. Months later, Arthur officially joined the Richard Mille family.
“The dream came true,” Arthur said about the partnership. Growing up, he had admired Richard Mille from a distance, making the eventual collaboration feel particularly meaningful.
Amanda Mille, brand and partnerships director at Richard Mille, explained the decision to bring Arthur into the fold: “We were amazed by Arthur’s serenity, humility, and maturity. Beyond his talent, he possesses the rare ability to inspire through his attitude. By partnering with an athlete who is helping move his discipline forward, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting talent who are shaping the future“.
That statement reveals something about Richard Mille’s selection criteria. Technical skill matters, but so does temperament. Arthur’s calmness and modesty apparently stood out during evaluation, qualities that belie his 22 years.
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Inside the RM 67-02: A watch engineered for extreme performance
For competition, Arthur wears the RM 67-02 Automatic Extra Flat, a timepiece specifically designed to withstand extreme athletic conditions. The case combines white Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT®, materials developed to handle intense shocks while remaining remarkably lightweight. The watch weighs just 32 grams, making it the lightest automatic watch in the entire Richard Mille collection.
TPT (Thin Ply Technology) materials have become signature elements in Richard Mille’s approach to case construction. The manufacturing process involves layering carbon or quartz fibers at specific angles, then impregnating them with resin before compression at controlled temperatures. The result produces a distinctive striated pattern while delivering exceptional strength-to-weight ratios.
The RM 67-02’s extra-flat profile measures thinner than most automatic watches, which helps reduce bulk during athletic performance. Its tight, taut lines emphasize the athletic character rather than trying to disguise the watch’s technical purpose. Several other Richard Mille athletes wear variations of this model, suggesting it has proven itself under demanding conditions.
“It’s beautiful, I really love it,” Arthur said about the RM 67-02. But his connection to the watch extends beyond aesthetics: “Richard Mille to me is for those at the top. It’s a boost to wear the watch on my wrist. Being part of this family pushes me to be stronger than ever and to reach the top of the World Cup and Winter Olympics in 2026“.
Richard Mille’s long-term vision in winter sports
Richard Mille has systematically cultivated relationships across diverse sports disciplines, from tennis to Formula 1 to track and field. The skiing category represents a natural extension of this strategy, particularly given the extreme conditions involved. Temperatures regularly drop below freezing, impacts are frequent and jarring, and athletes need equipment that functions reliably without adding unnecessary weight or bulk.
Arthur’s addition to the roster demonstrates continued investment in winter sports, but it also reflects a willingness to support emerging talent rather than exclusively pursuing established champions. “I’m proud to be among the other athletes and Olympic champions at Richard Mille. I want to have the same success story. I want to be the best in the world,” Arthur declared.
Whether he achieves those ambitions remains uncertain. Mogul skiing features deep international competition, and reaching the top 30 globally requires consistency across multiple events throughout a season. Olympic qualification adds another layer of complexity, with limited spots available and national selection criteria that vary by country.
Still, Arthur appears focused on the process rather than fixating solely on outcomes. His stated goals are measurable and time-bound, which suggests a methodical approach to career development. Richard Mille clearly sees potential worth investing in, both from a performance standpoint and from a brand alignment perspective.