Time Traveller: Step Back Into The Glittering Days Of Disco With Richard Mille’s New Collection
From the colours and precious stones, to the motifs and textures, the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman range embodies the glamour and allure of the 1970’s
There’s a reason why Richard Mille watches are top of the clocks with A-list celebrities, hip- hop stars and sports personalities alike. In fact, there’s a multitude of explanations,with ingenious innovation and accomplished craftsmanship at the core. Add to that the brand’s ability to embrace playfulness (who didn’t love the Bonbon series in 2019?) and the capacity to dream up luxurious themes that appeal to the coolest echelons of society.
The tourbillion mechanism is integrated into the heart of a movement only 6.2mm thick and weighing just 8 grams
And this last reason is exactly where we and ourselves with the new RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman collection. Delving into the ’70s disco era for inspiration; the colours, precious stones, motifs, and textures all embody the glamour and allure of the defining decade, while acting as a reminder of the dreamy dance tunes, glittering fashion and hedonistic culture of the Studio 54 days, all of which have stood the test of time – a time that maybe we crave now more than ever amidst the restrictions that 2020 has brought with it.
The 5.05 Carat Grace has an impressive 964 precious stones
The collection of ten models, presented in a limited edition of seven pieces for each, come with monikers reminiscent of female icons of the era, from Donna and Diana to Gloria and Bianca; names that instantly throw you back into the sequin-dazzled headiness of a time gone by, an era that is captured in the colours, geometrics and stones that surround the watch face and decorate the trailblazing mechanics.
The 4.45 Carat Liz is embossed with 817 precious stones
And this combination of precious stones is a first for Richard Mille. A mixture of bold and flamboyant tsavorites, spessartites, amethysts, diamonds, spinels, rubies and sapphires create a disco ball of energy, while the ornamented dials are given the spirit of a talisman charm through strengthening hematite, balancing malachite, visionary lapis lazuli, protecting sugilite and healing pink opal. And of course, the rich aesthetic and spiritual hardware house industry-leading mechanics: all ten models are powered by Richard Mille’s in-house caliber CRMT1 skeletonised automatic- winding tourbillon movement.
The 3.88 Carat Donna showcases 820 precious stones
Leather bracelets with geometric lines and discreet motifs are available in two shades for each model, a metallic treatment on the leather heightening the intensity of the stones.
With the luck of the talisman in the name and hardware, and the cool of the ’70s working the design, these watches are set to spark a legacy as enduring as the one they’re inspired by.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s December 2020 Issue.