Paloma, Gloria, Donna, Jane, Diana, Grace, Jessica, Liz, Bianca and Carmen — these are the funky names of Richard Mille's latest creations.
This is a brand that has remained true to itself, once again showing how to delight generations with some seriously sparkly models. There's a reason why the names of the new watches have a disco ring to them. Richard Mille's Artistic Director Cécile Guenat, who worked on designing the 71-02 Automatic Winding Tourbillon Talisman collection, says that she was inspired by the 1970s disco era and by Studio 54 decor.
Visitors to the iconic Studio 54 disco waved goodbye to insecurities, and got dressed up to go out in glittery outfits with colored sequins. The new watches also go all out and flaunt it with confidence. Although each piece is encrusted with hundreds of precious stones, Guenat's impeccable taste would never allow glamor to descend into gaudiness.
For example, 915 stones have been used to create Donna: sapphires, rubies, diamonds, lapis lazuli and turquoise, which weigh a total of 5.59 carats, plus mother of pearl. The glamorous face of these watches is complemented by their patent leather straps, which have a metallic sheen.
Each of the 10 models is limited to 7 pieces. Don't be fooled by the flamboyant "outfits" worn by the watch movements. You can immediately tell that these new watches hail from an aristocratic family with a proud tradition. This is mainly visible in the complicated movement housed in the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman series watch cases, the automatic CRMT1 Caliber manufacture movement, with its skeletonized titanium plate and bridges.
Some of Richard Mille's other well-known innovations have been used in the movement: the gem-set variable-geometry rotor and the free-sprung balance with variable inertia. The owner can set the rotor according to their own activity level by adjusting the two moveable weights to speed up or slow down how fast the barrel winds. The free-sprung balance with variable inertia increases the movement's precision.
The intricate geometrical patterns and luxurious dusting of gems covering the entire case are topped off with floral motifs on the straps. Yet a sense of refinement has still been preserved, which is quite literally worth a lot.