RICHARD MILLE
The RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman collection brings the quintessence of ’70s culture to life for today’s haute horlogerie connoisseur
BACK IN 2018, Richard Mille introduced the RM 71-01 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman, which charmed watch aficionados and collectors alike through the way it weaves together the supreme technicity specific to the brand and the sculptural universe of fine jewellery. Today, the journey that started with a black and white showcase of visual and technical magic continues in a
profusion of colour in the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman.
Even at a glance, the ten models within the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman collection bring to mind the colours, beats, and styles of the ’70s. Known as the “me decade,” this period in time saw the rise of club culture, the birth of electronic and disco music, and an urban culture marked by a vibrant nightlife. This unapologetic individualism became a major source of inspiration for Cécile Guenat, Creative and Development Director at Richard Mille: from the haunting rhythm of the music that practically defined the ’70s to the theatrical décor of legendary nightclubs such as Studio 54, as well as the rhinestone and sequinheavy fashion of the era.
The resulting design for the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman glows with a profusion of colour and a combination of stones that have never been seen before on Richard Mille timepieces. There are tsavorites and spessartites, amethysts and diamonds, spinels and rubies as well as sapphires and more. And, as the name of the collection implies, there is a talismanic meaning behind their inclusion. Hematite, for one, has always been associated with strength, while malachite symbolizes inner balance and pink opal is the stone of healing.
It goes without saying that arranging these stones across the case and dials of these new watches represents a supreme work of craftsmanship. More than six months were needed to validate the stones’ positioning to achieve the precise effect sought. “The intense glamour of the disco era resided in a multiplication of colours and textures,” explained Cécile Guenat. “I had to find a way to make this idea tangible. Working with the stones themselves proved to be a considerable challenge. Because stones of very similar hues can end up looking completely different depending on their size and the type of setting.”
As mentioned earlier, the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman encompasses ten models, each a limited edition of seven pieces and distinguished by the arrangements of their stones, their setting pattern, their engraving and the central decoration of the dial. All ten models, however, are powered by the same movement: the CRMT1 calibre first introduced in the aforementioned RM 71-01. This is Richard Mille’s first automatic tourbillon calibre and – as befitting of its pedigree – its thickness is a mere 6.2mm and it weighs only 8 grams. To call it a technical marvel would be an understatement.
Finally, a series of bracelets specially crafted for each of the ten models adds a masterful finishing touch. These are embossed with discreet vegetal motifs at 12 o’clock and geometric lines at 6 o’clock, feature two shades each, and are treated in a way that enhances the visual impact of the stones.
So, whether you’re interested in timepieces with vibrant dashes of colour or excited at the chance to channel your inner disco persona, the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman offers a breath-taking array of choices. Perhaps it’s the soft tones of the Bianca model with its pink sapphires, rubies, and peridots; or maybe you prefer the deep hues of Paloma with its sapphires, lapis lazuli, and black spinels. No matter your tastes, Richard Mille invites you to express yourself like never before.