As you all know, here at WCL we have a thing for backgammon and backgammon sets. In 2021, we launched The Backgammon & Watches Society here at WCL and we’ve been playing this amazing game even before we were of legal drinking age. Even though we already have way too many cool backgammon sets, you can never have too many. Exactly just like you can never have way too many watches. The Michael Aram Backgammon set is the perfect match to the shades of grey on the extra flat Richard Mille RM 016 Americas Orange Limited Edition of which only 15 pieces were ever made.
Backgammon is one of the oldest board games in the world that dates back to Mesopotamia around 5,000 B.C. It is a very sophisticated board game often played by the elite and royals. This two-player game is a rolling dice game where the objective is for players to remove fifteen chips —pieces or checkers— off of a board with 24 points —triangles— before their opponent can do the same.
The board is divided into two sides, the home board or inner board with the first six points and then the outer board with points seven through twelve. The 24 points alternate colors forming a continuous track. Each player begins with fifteen chips, two chips are placed on their 24-point, three on their 8-point, and five each on their 13-point and their 6-point. The two players move their chips in opposing directions, from the 24-point towards the 1-point. Once a player has all his/her chips in his/her home board, then he/she will proceed to take these out to defeat his/her opponent.
The Michael Aram Backgammon set is the perfect match to the shades of grey on the extra flat Richard Mille RM 016 Americas Orange Limited Edition of which only 15 pieces were ever made. The board on this set measures the official tournament size of 21’’ open —the actual size open is 23.25” x 17.5”—, and is finished in an exquisite matte grey —slightly driftwood-looking— color. The interior is inlaid with supple grey leather and hand-painted points in white and black for the perfect contrast. The chips are nickel-plated in silver and black and are quite solid and heavy with a hammered finish.
American artist Michael Aram studied art in New York in the late 1980s before traveling to India on an inspirational journey, where he discovered a rich metal working tradition that inspired his turn toward handcrafted design. Michael Aram established a home and workshop in New Delhi, where he began crafting objects ranging from tableware to furniture, all of which reflect the hand of the artisan. The tension of line, form, and meaning is a distinguishing characteristic of Aram's extraordinary designs, inspiring thoughtful appreciation and bringing a sense of ceremony in their day-to-day use. Each Michael Aram piece is handmade, so no two items are exactly alike.
The included dice are black and white and the doubler die is white. The set includes two dice cups in high polish hammered-finished pewter that are velvet lined for a silent shake. Definitely a perfect match for a Richard Mille RM 016 Extra Flat.
This is a very classy and elegant backgammon set priced in line with its ultra-luxurious look and feel. Next time you come to The Backgammon & Watches Society, you’ll be able to enjoy a few games with us on this board.
Sticker Price $650 USD —Richard Mille RM 016 not included. For more info on Richard Mille click here.
