Richard Mille puts ladies first in 2015
The much anticipated Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) 2015 took place in early January and showcased the latest creations from the House of Richard Mille. The masterpieces will be sure to thrill modern women who appreciate refinement at its best. Among other novelties, the independent watchmaker revealed two incredible bejewelled timepieces for ladies, and a show-stopping stylish new bracelet which caused quite a stir
For Richard Mille, the ideal timepiece embraces the complexity of interior mechanisms and an aesthetically pleasing exterior. The interior of the watch, its entire movement, the shape and finish of screws and the architectural manner in which the interior space of the case is incorporated is an aspect of equal importance. The use of innovative materials is also a quality which has become synonymous with Richard Mille, and in 2015 it promises not to disappoint. Issues of comfort and ergonomic design are also particularly important for the Maison, yet, all of these elements are only the start of a long process in the creation of the perfect timepiece. The industry rebel has this year decided to kick things off by wooing the ladies through exceptional creations that can only be described as things of beauty.
RM 51-02 TOURBILLON DIAMOND TWISTER
Swirling patterns of glistening diamonds dominate the dial of the new Tourbillion Diamond Twister. On closer inspection, 14 rows of highly polished gems emanate from the tourbillon escapement at the 6 o’clock hour marker, evoking images of a spiralling vortex, a whirlwind that is the English interpretation of the French term “tourbillion”. The intricate dial is home to 270 precious stones set in 18K white gold, and partially covers the magnificent calibre that is the heart of the watch.The dimensions of the movement are 30.20 mm x 28.60 mm and it is just 4.97 mm thick. The visible manual winding tourbillion has a diameter of 12.30mmand is supported on a baseplate crafted from precious Black Onyx. All this is housed in a stunning tonneau shaped case that is an explosion of white diamonds, detailed with black sapphires.
As with all other Richard Mille timepieces, the RM51-02 has a free sprung balance which provides better reliability in the event of shocks. The skeletonized bridges are made in grade 5 titanium that has been carefully treated with black PVD.An added safety feature is the incorporation of a torque limiting crown that prevents over-winding of the mechanism, saving it from damage to the winding stem and extreme pressure on the mainspring barrel.
The Tourbillion Diamond Twister is a limited edition with just 30 pieces, and once fully wound, this timepiece has a power reserve of around 48 hours; it is also water resistant to 50 metres.
RM 19-02 TOURBILLON FLEUR
The RM 19-02 Fleur is limited to just 30 pieces worldwide. The unique design concept draws its inspiration from nature, combining the essence of life with contemporary technology, making it a must have for modern women who love nature. The talking point of this Richard Mille masterpiece is the colourful white gold Magnolia that nurtures amanual winding tourbillon movement, with five delicately cut petals that open and close every five minutes. The centre of the 11.1mm tourbillon diameter is set with precious stones to symbolize the stamens of the flower.
For those who are impatient to wait the five minutes, the magic can bewitnessed again by a simple push of a button. On the left side of the diamond encrusted case, at the 9’o clock position is a button that will manually trigger the opening and closing process, resetting the five minute waiting period again. To add a touch of complexity, Richard Mille brings realism into its creation by engineering the flying-tourbillion cage to rise by 1mm when the purple leaves open, perfectly mimicking a real flower that is ready for pollination. Reaching out from the Magnolia, spreading across the dial are green hand-painted 18K white gold leaves.
The RM1902 calibre has a manual winding tourbillon movement, with hours and minutes function.Its dimensions are31.5 x 29.62 mm and it has a thickness of 5.72 mm.The RM 19-02 Tourbillion Fleur boasts a power reserve of around 36 hours, and it is water resistant to a depth of 50 metres.
OPEN LINK GOLD BRACELET STRAP
After receiving an abundance of requests, Richard Mille was pleased to present its first ever Open Link gold bracelet, specifically crafted for two of its ladies models, the RM 07-01 and the RM 037. The gold bracelet joins the other varieties of straps the Maison has to offer, such as the leather strap, the silk, rubber and alligator strap. Each component of the Open Link strap is hand-made and hand finished. The links are micro-blasted, satin brushed and polished to perfection. The Open Link strap offers women a super light, airy and flexible type of bracelet with a more casual appearance.
