Style Edit: Climber Charles Dubouloz joins Richard Mille – like F1’s Charles Leclerc, tennis champ Rafael Nadal and golfer Bubba Watson, his fearless ambition matches the luxury watchmaker’s values

Aug 25 , 2023

The first mountaineer to join the Richard Mille family, Charles Dubouloz has been added to the likes of Formula 1’s Charles Leclerc, tennis’ Rafael Nadal and golfer Bubba Watson. Photo: Handout

The Swiss watchmaker has long-term relationships with athletes like Rafael Nadal, Bubba Watson, and Olympic athletics champions Wayde van Niekerk and Mutaz Essa Barshim

Dubouloz, made his name in the Alps above Chamonix in France, will next test himself in the Karakorams in Pakistan, and compares his motivations with those of fellow RM fan, freediver Arnaud Jerald

There’s a new name echoing through the snowy peaks and icy crags of the world’s most daunting mountains: Charles Dubouloz. The up-and-coming star of French alpinisme, Dubouloz is ascending heights in a manner few can even dream of.

He caused a media stir in early 2022, when he made the first solo winter ascent of the notorious “Rolling Stones”, a perilous route on the fabled north face of the Grandes Jorasses above Chamonix, France. The gruelling six-day climb saw Dubouloz confront rock, ice and minus 30 degree temperatures to reach the 4,208-metre summit – an ordeal that left the mountaineer recovering from frostbite in one of his big toes.

The first mountaineer to join the Richard Mille family, Charles Dubouloz. Photo: Handout

But the 34-year-old is not just turning heads with his climbing and mountaineering skills. The newest member of the Richard Mille family, Dubouloz is as rugged and striking as the peaks he conquers, a fitting model to bear the brand’s signature high-performance watches in his arsenal of high-altitude expedition gear.

The luxury Swiss watch company has long been known for its technologically advanced timepieces, with a reputation for using innovative materials, intricate movements, barrel-shaped cases and elaborate skeletal movements. It’s also made a name for itself as the watch of choice for elite athletes, who favour the design for its durability and precision even under extreme conditions.

Mountaineer Charles Dubouloz prepares for a climb with his tape, chalk and RM 67-02 Automatic Extra Flat. Photo: Handout

“This is why I’m attracted to the Richard Mille brand – there’s something ‘extreme’ about it,” says Dubouloz. “The watches are extreme like the elemental landscapes I express myself in. I connect to their unique creativity and their design geared up for sheer technical performance.”

Dubouloz may be the first mountaineer to join the fold at Richard Mille, but he’s in good company alongside other sporting luminaries. The watchmaker maintains long-term friendships with numerous high-profile athletes, including tennis royalty Rafael Nadal, pro golfer Bubba Watson, Formula One driver Charles Leclerc, and Olympic athletics champions Wayde van Niekerk and Mutaz Essa Barshim, who all sport the elegant timepieces to competitions.

Mountaineer Charles Dubouloz clips in his climbing rope, the RM 67-02 Automatic Extra Flat visible on his wrist. Photo: Handout

Growing up in Annecy, an alpine town in southeastern France, Dubouloz says that it was youthful exuberance that led him up into the surrounding cliff sides as a boy.

“It was actually the need to channel some of my boundless energy,” he laughs. “I like to push the envelope in everything I do. Mountains are the place where I can express myself.”