Richard Mille

RM 88: Automatic Winding Tourbillon Smiley

A yellow circle, two oval eyes, a wide upturned mouth … The Smiley, drawn by Franklin Loufrani just over 50 years ago, has become an established symbol in the collective consciousness.

Around the Smiley’s radiant face, an array of miniature sculptures takes possession of the RM 88 Automatic Tourbillon Smiley’s movement, forming and reforming a surreal scene, brimming with fun and enthusiasm and demonstrating true mastery of the infinitely small. Microblasted grade 5 titanium with PVD treatment lends great rigidity to the baseplate and the bridges, as well as the precise surface flatness, essential for perfect functioning of the gear train. Grade 5 titanium is a biocompatible, highly corrosion-resistant and remarkably rigid alloy, which enables the gear train to function effortlessly. The striking Smiley figure, micro-blasted and painted, presides over this landscape from atop the additional motion-work bridge in microblasted ARCAP® with polished anglage and drawn edges. The design and execution of the watch demonstrate a holistic approach to conception of the movement and the case. As a result, everything has been constructed according to extremely rigorous specifications. The extraordinary watch is equipped with the in-house Calibre CRMT7 skeletonised automatic winding tourbillon movement.