Big Blue: Test Drive Richard Mille RM 032 Les Voiles de Saint Barth with Freediver Arnaud Jerald
Richard Mille celebrates the return of the famous regatta with a bold limited-edition watch.
The Les Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille Regatta is one of the most exciting sailing races in the world. The six-day event, held in St. Barts, one of the most exclusive island paradises in the world, saw 700 sailors from 71 teams compete for a spot on the podium (along with a titanium RM 028 dive watch).
But the 2022 event brought an extra surprise: World Freediving Champion Arnaud Jerald was on hand to unveil the Richard Mille limited edition RM 032 Les Voiles de Saint Barth.
That's why Watchonista traveled to St Barts to talk to Gerald about his sport, its parallels to yacht racing, and the importance of time when diving into the sea.
rolling in The Deep Freediving is underwater diving without the use of breathing apparatus, especially in deep water. In pop culture, the most memorable is the 1988 film The Big Blue, directed by Luc Besson. The film is a highly stylized and fictional story of real-life freedivers Jacques Mayor and Enzo Majorca.
Born and raised in Marseille, Jerald started snorkeling with his family at the age of seven. He dived deeper and deeper each time he went, so at the age of 16, his father put him in a freediving course. "At this point, I was diagnosed with dyslexia," Gerald told Watchonista. "I had a hard time adjusting in school." Then, when he reached the 30m mark and opened his eyes. "I can't see any light; I can't see fish," he said. "But I saw myself with my own eyes."