The Sophisticated Charm of the 2024 Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille

A celebration of French Art de Vivre, where luxury automobiles, haute horology, and the art of living converge in an intoxicating display of beauty, Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille has become a touchstone for sophistication since its inception in 2014.

This year, the event lived up to its exalted reputation, drawing an impressive crowd of 28,000 attendees who flocked to marvel at the vintage and avant-garde automotive masterpieces on display. The Concours d’État, featuring nearly 100 stunning cars from all over the globe, and the Concours d’Élégance, with ten exquisite concept cars, were the undisputed stars of the show.
 

These glittering machines, vying for the coveted “Best of Show” titles, reminded the world why this event now stands among the most prestigious of its kind, putting together supercar manufacturers such as Lamborghini, McLaren, Bugatti, and Maserati.
 

But what truly makes a car worthy of winning this prestigious competition?

The answer to this question requires a delicate balance between rarity, authenticity, condition, and style.

Each car at the 2024 Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille, be it a hard-to-find vintage or a modern one-of-a-kind creation, is evaluated by expert judges who scrutinize every detail with an almost forensic precision.

Why? Because authenticity is paramount. Has the car remained faithful to its original design? Or, has it been altered beyond recognition? Of course, restorations are applauded, but only when they honor the spirit of the machine, ensuring each curve and bolt reflects its original essence.
 

Condition, too, plays a critical role. To that end, judges examine the exterior, interior, engine bay, and undercarriage to ensure impeccable restoration or preservation.

Rarity elevates the stakes, certainly, with one-offs and limited editions captivating the eye and igniting the imagination. Meanwhile, historical significance can be the final trump card.
 

Finally, elegance and style must harmonize. Judges, and, indeed, even the audience, expect not just a car but a spectacle: the perfect fusion of haute couture and automotive design, where the vehicle and its passenger are in exquisite synchronicity.

As the cars purred and gleamed, one could almost hear the mechanical heartbeats of Richard Mille’s watches echoing in tandem, two worlds of mechanical wonder colliding together. That is because, in the midst of this visual feast, Richard Mille’s family of ambassadors brought their own unique allure.

British cycling icon Mark Cavendish, wearing his titanium RM 11-03, mingled effortlessly alongside fencing maestro Miles Chamley-Watson, wearing a white-gold, diamond-set RM 67-01, as both exuded the sort of effortless cool that has become synonymous with the brand.
 

Yet, it wasn't just these famous faces that lit up the event. Equally integral were the loyal Richard Mille clients and partners who, as always, formed the backbone of this extraordinary get-together.

Meanwhile, the Mille family, particularly Brand & Partnerships Director, Amanda Mille, has mastered the art of weaving a brand into the cultural fabric of high society. Case-in-point: The brand’s involvement in Chantilly Arts & Elegance goes far beyond simple sponsorship.
 

From the moment you set foot in the lush VIP enclosure, it becomes clear that Richard Mille does more than create watches; it creates worlds.

As the day drew to a close, with champagne flutes raised and the final rays of sunlight reflecting off polished hoods and sapphire watch crystals alike, the winners of the Concours were announced.
 

The crown jewel of this year’s Concours d’Elégance was the breathtaking Lancia Pu+Ra HPE concept car, which effortlessly captured the jury’s favor with its sublime fusion of form and futurism. Meanwhile, the Bugatti Tourbillon, a marvel of design and engineering, charmed the crowds to secure the coveted Public Prize.
 

From this extraordinary assembly of automotive excellence, the prestigious Best of Show for pre-war cars was awarded to the elegant Bugatti T35C - a machine whose legacy remains unparalleled.
 

As for the post-war cars, the sleek and sophisticated Talbot-Lago T26 GS Coupé claimed the ultimate accolade, a tribute to its enduring allure and impeccable lines.