Cars & motorsport
Richard Mille Collaborates with Brough Superior to Revivify a Motorcycling “Dream”
With a motto like “a racing machine on the wrist,” it is no wonder that Richard Mille carries such a profound automotive and motoring inspiration in the work it does. Meet its latest collaborative project, which doesn’t even include a clock on the dashboard.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
Created by visionary former-racer George Brough (pronounced “bruff”), this is a gleaming Brough Superior motorcycle introduced in 1938 named the Dream (later nicknamed the “Golden Dream”). Do yourself a favor, and take a long look.¨
The 1938 Dream was both technically ahead of its time and luxuriously artful. The 998 cc power plant was essentially an H engine, which means it had two horizontally opposed flat-twin engines positioned one atop the other and geared together so that they rotated in opposite directions, thus mitigating unwelcome gyroscopic forces while still being exquisitely synchronized with shared gearing.
Meanwhile, its golden body, thin and finned exhausts, and huge fendering… The Dream was sheer beauty on two wheels.
Founded in 1919 and operating out of Nottingham, England, the Brough Superior’s Dream proved to be something of a swan song for the company, as production halted due to World War II. Eventually, Brough Superior’s big “D” Dream became more of a little “d” dream (or maybe a fever dream) for collectors as museums swept up the few remaining vehicles.
The Legacy
It is unconfirmed whether Jay Leno, who owns around a dozen Pre-War Brough Superior bikes, owns a Dream. That said, we know he has a dedicated Brough Superior room in his garage.
I think I saw one myself once, for about 7.5 seconds as it was wheeled into a quickly sealed-off tent at a European motorcycle event. Although, I wouldn’t stake my life on it.
We don’t know if motoring enthusiast/watchmaker Richard Mille has one, but we now know he shares the dream.
Modern Moto
Unfortunately, after halting motorcycle production during the war, Brough Superior remained shuttered for decades until 2013, when motorcycle collector and enthusiast Mark Upham acquired the rights to the name, then approached French designer Thierry Henriette to restart the brand.
Production of exquisite, limited-edition performance motorcycles using cutting-edge materials resumed in 2016, this time out of Toulouse, France. Today, Henriette, as President, and Albert Castaigne, as CEO, run the operation under the same mission statement as the original company: to produce exceptional motorcycles, regardless of cost and effort.
The Richard Mille Connection
This is the new Richard Mille x Brough Superior RMB01 motorcycle that was just revealed at the Mille-sponsored 2025 Le Mans Classic races.
The watchmaker has always explored the passionate interconnections of motorsports, sailing, art, and more with horology. But Brough Superior’s Henriette best sums up the project: “Borne from the encounter of two mechanical enthusiasts, this machine, both a leaper and sprinter, full of power and femininity, will remain an unforgettable experience for the team.”
A decidedly Mille-design DNA take on Brough’s heritage of ample, sculptural, curved lines, the bike is obviously intended for the track. However, its stripped-down essence harkens to turn-of-the-century Board Tracker bikes that barnstormed on wooden circuits.
High-Octane Cross-Pollination
The elongated tank, minimalist seating, fully exposed engine, fork-style connection to the front wheel, and ample visibility through its CNC aluminum frame, when viewed in profile, all fall right in line with Brough’s aesthetics.
Meanwhile, the “mechanical-timepiece” style speedometer, cutting-edge materials used, and wheel rims constructed like layered movement gears all point to the “watch-iness” of the machine.
The engine is also a work of intersectional art: The twin-cylinder 997cc engine is crafted from solid blocks of aluminum. However, laid out with prominent circular components in a designed-for-function format, it is even more reminiscent of a watch dial than other racing motorcycle engines.
Available in three exterior options (stealthy Nocturnal Sapphire, matte metallic Selene, and classic Pearl of Speed), only 150 RMB01s will be made, with availability starting at the end of this year.
No price was offered at press time, but what price would you attach to the opportunity to catch a dream that was once thought lost?
To learn more about the bike and the pre-ordering process, check out the Brough Superior website. To learn more about the watch brand, check out the Richard Mille website.