Labour Lens

Richard Mille

Lacks transparency

Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.

Jewellery & watches

Partly verified: what this means

Based on what Richard Mille publishes, with few independent checks. Researched with AI assistance against published rules. Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources · How we check

Swiss maker of high-priced lightweight sports watches.

Richard Mille publishes no certification, independent audit or supplier list.

Better-graded watches

Graded higher than Richard Mille, selling the same kinds of things.

ChopardMakes most of its range in Switzerland.Luxury jewellery and watchesPays or is working towards a living wage, with gaps still to close.On TrackPartly verifiedMondaineMakes most of its range in Switzerland.Swiss railway-style watchesPays or is working towards a living wage, with gaps still to close.On TrackPartly verifiedHublotMakes most of its range in Switzerland.Swiss luxury fusion watchesPays or is working towards a living wage, with gaps still to close.On TrackPartly verified

These are the closest to Good among watches brands selling new goods. None has reached Good yet, and when one does it will show here.

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Why it's graded Lacks transparency

Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements, with 2 red flags.Open why it has this gradeClose why it has this grade
  • Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
  • Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
  • It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
  • Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.

How grades are decided

Good requirements 1 of 6

  • Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
  • Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in India, China and Thailand.
  • Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
  • Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
  • Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
  • Not met: Conflict-free: diamonds, gems and gold traced to the mine, lab-grown, recycled or Fairmined (the Kimberley Process alone isn't enough)

Red flags 2

  • Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
  • Red flag: Hidden supply chain: no certification, independent audits or supplier list

Stars it would earn as Good

None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars

Where it's made

Switzerland, India, China and 2 more countries.Open where it's madeClose where it's made

Richard Mille names some of the countries it makes in: Switzerland. The rest is shown as where jewellery and watches are usually made.

Where it's made, and conditions there
CountryWorker rightsLegal minimum wageForced labour risk
SwitzerlandRegular violationsAbout a living wageLow
IndiaUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsWell below a living wageHigh
ChinaUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsBelow a living wageModerate
ThailandUsual for the industryNo guarantee of rightsBelow a living wageModerate
ItalyUsual for the industryStrong protectionsClose to a living wageLow

Evidence

3 things we found and what 1 independent source says.Open the evidenceClose the evidence

What we found

  • Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: gold and gemstone mining are linked to child labour, forced labour and mercury poisoning. (partly offset by certification or direct sourcing)
  • Uses recycled metals or fibres
  • It is Responsible Jewellery Council certified, but its stones and gold aren't traced to the mine. The Kimberley Process only covers diamonds that fund rebel wars, not abuses by governments or forced labour.

Research notes Richard Mille watches are made in Les Breuleux, Switzerland, by Guenat SA Montres Valgine, the co-founder's company, which makes cases and about 60% of movements; the rest come from Vaucher and APLL, and over 80% of production partners are within 100 km. Its Swiss due diligence report for 2025 (June 2026) says all its gold is recycled and it favours RJC-certified suppliers; it has begun a traceability system and runs an anonymous whistleblowing channel, but supplier monitoring is still a long-term goal. It is not an RJC member and publishes no supplier list or living wage commitment.

What independent sources say

SourceResultDetails
Business & Human Rights Resource CentreCouldn't confirmNo labour abuse allegations involving Richard Mille's workshops or suppliers were identified. View

Sources and actions

5 sources, company details, and how to send evidence or a right of reply.Open the sources and company detailsClose the sources and company details

Sources 5

Show all 5 sources
  1. Richard Mille opens first Australian boutique (Inside Retail, Nov 2025) · search the archive · Richard Mille opened its first Australian boutique at Sydney's Capella Hotel in November 2025.
  2. Jewelry and Watch Brands Must Be More Transparent, Says WWF (Rapaport, 2023) · search the archive · Lists the 21 brands in WWF Switzerland's 2023 watch and jewellery rating; Sowind brands, Richard Mille and Fabergé are not among them.
  3. A visit to the Richard Mille manufacture (Swisswatches Magazine) · search the archive · Made in Les Breuleux by Guenat SA Montres Valgine (215 staff); 60% of movements in-house, rest from Vaucher and APLL.

Published by Richard Mille or its owner

  1. Richard Mille Group (Turlen Holding) ODiTr due diligence report 2025 · search the archive · Gold exclusively recycled; metal suppliers mostly RJC certified; >80% of partners within 100 km; no child labour risk found; mapping in progress.
  2. Richard Mille Group (Turlen Holding) ODiTr report 2025 (approved June 2026) · search the archive · Gold exclusively recycled; favours RJC-certified suppliers; traceability system begun; FaceUp whistleblowing channel; supplier monitoring a long-term goal.

Company details

Headquarters
Switzerland
Last researched
3 November 2026
Cite this page
Labour Lens, "Is Richard Mille ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/richard-mille, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
Method
Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means

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