RICHARD MILLE

A new and unusually playful range of wrist candy marks a radical departure from the brand’s tech-focused norm

At SIHH 2019, Richard Mille momentarily shifted its attention from the usual retinue of racing drivers, tennis players, track and field athletes and equestrians to the somewhat different demographic of women in general. And in doing so, it came up with a limitededition collection that, for a brand perceived as relentlessly tech- and performance-driven, is for once unusually rebellious and playful.

Comprising 10 models, each of which is produced in 30 pieces, the Richard Mille Bonbon Collection is so exuberantly colourful that you might almost feel like sucking on them – and as, beneath the acid-bright candy colours, these are as technically advanced as any timepieces produced by the manufacture, that would be a mistake. Constructed around baseplates and bridges in grade 5 titanium, encased in tinted ceramics, layered with materials such as carbon TPT and quartz TPT and set with an entire spectrum of coloured gemstones, they’re subdivided into collections of Sweets (for example, the RM 07-03 Cupcake) and Fruits (such as the RM 16-01 Citron et Fraise), and recall childhood treats like liquorice rolls or gumdrops.

All watches in the collection are powered by a skeletonised automatic in-house movement with hours and minutes, and adjustable rotor geometry and, depending on the calibre, have a power reserve of 50-55 hours. Water resistance, which also varies from model to model, is from 3 to 5 bar.