It was expected, in this anniversary year of the famous smiling yellow character, this new RM 88 Automatic Tourbillon Smiley.
We've been talking about it for months, here it is finally unveiled, with its golden Smiley and its colorful look, both luxurious and anything but serious.
Last April, it was Messika who celebrated the 50th anniversary of Smiley with a smile.
The French brand then imagined two diamond-paved pendants to celebrate the yellow face, popularized 50 years ago by a Frenchman.
Indeed, few people remember it as this symbol has become planetary, but this design was originally created by an American in the 1960s, but especially popularized from 1972 by the journalist Franklin Loufrani, on the a black and white one from France-Soir to draw attention to a new section,
This fall, it's the turn of the extreme watchmaker, Richard Mille, to take the time to smile with this limited edition of 50 pieces, equipped with the new in-house automatic tourbillon caliber CRMT7, under a rainbow in the colored varnish alone having required dozens of hours of work.
Its case is made of white ATZ ceramic – renowned for its resistance to scratches, shocks and friction, as well as for its long-lasting whiteness.
It contrasts with the red gold of the case middle, while the crown features the precious Smiley shaped in yellow gold.
Microsculptures signed by the engraver Olivier Kuhn.
Richard Mille
On the dial of this playful luxury watch, a real festival of details, humor and complexity is offered.
Joyful and quirky ornamental elements abound, in a spirit reminiscent of the house collection recently inspired by sweets: a blooming flower, a warm sun, a gourmet pineapple, a regenerating cactus, a flamboyant pink flamingo and rainbow... of microsculptures signed by the engraver Olivier Kuhn.
Combining the central figure of the Smiley and all these ornaments will have meant endowing the RM 88 with a double plate.
One, technical, supports the movement while the second, auxiliary, accommodates the ornamental subjects of the left part of the dial.
An abundance of details and colors.
Richard Mille
Haute horlogerie obliges, all the finishes present on this RM 88 are made by hand.
The leaves are treated with green PVD, the bark of the pineapple is micro-blasted and polished, as are the thorns of the cactus, micro-blasted in yellow gold, just like the sun with its polished rays.
Not sure that the 50 playful pieces of this limited edition will remain on sale for long, despite their price exceeding one million euros...