Polo is a sport of extraordinary demands—it’s a test of skill, speed, and split-second decision-making. Riders and horses move as one, players swing their mallets with laser focus, and every moment on the field can make or break a match. It’s intense, elegant, and relentless. That’s why it makes sense that the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Tournament brings together the worlds of polo and high-end watchmaking—two disciplines that share a deep respect for precision, durability, and artistry.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, the annual tournament, now in its fourth edition, which got underway from Jan. 17 to 18, is one of the most luxurious and unique events in the polo calendar, bringing together some of the most celebrated polo players of all time—Pablo Mac Donough, Nacho Figueras, Adolfo Cambiaso, and Millie Hine, among others—to compete for the prestigious Desert Polo Trophy (team Richard Mille emerged victorious.)
The ancient desert landscapes added a layer of gravitas to a sport that’s already steeped in history. Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille, couldn’t agree more. “Examining the rich equestrian heritage of the Middle East—from endurance racing to the breeding of beauty horses—it becomes apparent why polo is a natural fit. Upon visiting AlUla and experiencing its heritage firsthand, the decision to become involved was straightforward for me,” he tells MILLE.

There’s something poetic about the parallels between polo and watchmaking. In polo, every movement on the field—whether it’s a well-timed swing or a gallop down the sideline—requires precision. There’s no room for hesitation or miscalculation. The same applies to a Richard Mille watch, where even the smallest gear or spring is meticulously designed to function perfectly. Both worlds revolve around mastery of timing and control.
Few understand this better than the Cambiaso family, a powerhouse polo family from Argentina. The patriarch, Adolfo Cambiaso, is widely regarded as the greatest polo player of all time (or the “Messi of Polo,” as one person put it) and his list of accolades reads like a dream résumé: nine Argentine Open wins, countless other titles, and an undeniable impact on the sport. He even pioneered the use of cloned horses in polo, ensuring his team’s lineup of equine athletes is as consistent as his game.
Now, his 19-year-old son, Poroto, is following in his footsteps and making waves of his own, achieving feats many players spend a lifetime chasing. In 2022, he became the youngest player in history to win the Queen’s Cup as well as the Argentine Open, the most prestigious tournaments in the sport. It’s those feats that cemented his place as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport. “This is my second time playing here,” Poroto says about AlUla. “It’s truly an incredible place with a fantastic atmosphere. The people I’m playing with are wonderful, and I hope to return for future tournaments.”
When Poroto took to the field in AlUla this weekend, his mallet swinging with the ease of a seasoned champion, one thing made this year unforgettable: the sight of his mother in the stands, cheering him on. “Playing alongside my family is always special, but having my mom here in AlUla for the first time makes it even more meaningful,” he adds. That sense of family is something Poroto values, and it’s one of the reasons his recent partnership with Richard Mille feels so natural to him. “The brand’s strong focus on family resonates with me, and it’s an honor to be part of their community.”

For Harrison, the family dynamic is part of what makes the Cambiasos such perfect ambassadors for Richard Mille. “We’ve recently signed a promising young talent, Poroto Cambiaso. He will be wearing our watches during this tournament, showcasing their durability under rigorous conditions,” he explains. And rigorous is an understatement. Polo, which initially emerged as a training exercise for cavalry 2,500 years ago, is not for the faint of heart. Sure, it’s got a reputation for being a sport for the elite, with champagne-fueled afterparties and luxury brands lining up to sponsor it, but don’t let the glitz fool you. It’s grueling in ways you wouldn’t expect. Players push their bodies to the limit, constantly at risk of injuries from falls or collisions. “Polo is a grueling sport, despite its reputation as a pursuit for the affluent. Beyond the luxurious facade, it demands extreme physical exertion,” Harrison says, noting the injuries sustained by players like Pablo Mac Donough, who has broken nearly every bone in his body.
This is where Richard Mille’s watches really shine. They don’t just look good—they’re built to handle the toughest conditions. Mac Donough, who joined the Richard Mille family in 2012, was the first to receive a polo-dedicated watch specifically designed with an armored case to withstand the impacts of intense polo matches. This led to the creation of the RM 53-01, released in 2018, another timepiece set out to be utterly “polo-proof.”

Designed with input from athletes like Mac Donough alongside thousands of hours of research, the timepiece was engineered for performance and durability, featuring a sapphire laminated glass capable of absorbing extreme shocks without breakage. “Since the 1920s, watchmakers have catered to polo players, but bringing a modern interpretation that meets the physical demands today was a significant achievement for us,” Harrison says.
Poroto, stepping into the game as the seventh Cambiaso to play polo, is the second polo player to join the Richard Mille family, which is all about boosting up-and-comers. His go-to watch, a RM 67-02 weighing a mere 32 grams, is the lightest automatic watch of the brand, making it perfect for the swift and demanding pace of polo and ensuring the athlete can focus on the game without anything weighing him down.
The AlUla tournament, however, is more than just a showcase for polo or luxury watches. It’s also part of a bigger effort to grow the sport in Saudi Arabia. Adolfo Cambiaso, who first visited AlUla four years ago, is helping lay the groundwork for a new generation of players in the region. “I came here with the goal of attracting more Saudi players. We plan to establish schools here and facilitate the integration of Saudi Arabian players in Argentina and England. I believe we are on the right path, as everything is progressing,” he says.
The tournament’s organizer, Amr Zidan, shares this vision. Harrison explains, “Amr (Zidan) shares our vision for expanding polo’s presence in Saudi Arabia. Establishing esteemed clubs in cities like Riyadh or Jeddah would significantly enhance the sport’s profile and accessibility.”
What makes AlUla so unique is how it brings everything together: the precision of polo, the craftsmanship of watchmaking, and the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia, creating an experience that feels timeless yet modern. For Poroto and his father, AlUla is a chance to play on a global stage while continuing to shape the sport’s future. For Richard Mille, it’s an opportunity to show how their watches embody the same precision, artistry, and resilience that define polo. Together, they’re proving that when it comes to mastering time, the real winners know how to make every second count.