Richard Mille's New Rainbow-Hued Watches Celebrate Female Empowerment

It’s no secret that a statement accessory has the power to elevate any look. There’s a magical appeal to precious pieces of jewellery, whether it’s a dazzling ring, a delicate necklace or, above all, a classic watch. Such items can be passed down from generation to generation, gifted as a message of love and commitment, or symbolise growth when entering a new phase in life, imbuing them with deeper meaning. A treasured timepiece can boost the wearer’s self-esteem and empower them through the stories it can tell, making a watch more than just a watch.

Taking its cues from the 1970s disco era, inspirational femininity, meaningful elegance and timeless grace are the defining traits of the latest RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman collection by Richard Mille. The second chapter in the Talisman saga, it retains the range’s refined details and expert craftsmanship and adds a disco twist with an exuberant colour palette and bold design, representing an audacious new direction for the brand. The rainbow-hued collection features 10 styles, with seven pieces each – all dazzling works of art endowed with deeper symbolism.

“I always wanted to work with colour, and the Talisman collection presented an exciting challenge: to transform its black-and-white vocabulary into something totally different,” says Cécile Guenat, Director of Creation and Development for Richard Mille. “Even though we abided by the constraints of the existing patterns, we spent a lot of time working on the placement of the coloured stones, playing with the lines and shading.”

The range draws on the untamed energy and raw glamour of the 1970s. The heightened expression of disco-era individualism, a hyper-realistic synthesis of light, sound and colour that defined slices of 1970s culture such as the theatrical interiors of Studio 54, glittering lamé and sequin-strewn fashions. Ten watches, ten women each with their own strengths and bea

The disco era of the mid-1970s was more than a musical genre. It was an expression of a society freeing itself from the straitjacket of conventional musical, sexual and dress codes. In New York, young people flocked to the legendary Studio 54, but disco’s influence was felt throughout the world.

The Richard Mille RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman collection reflects this movement, telling the story of 70s disco through the symbolic choice of colour, use of stones and the differing geometries of its bezels and dial elements. Each watch is unique homage to the era and empowering women.

First up, there is Bianca, the disco queen. Breaking all conventions, she’s first on the dancefloor, stealing the scene. For this style, pink sapphires, green tsavorites, peridots and diamonds define the case and crown, while the dial plate adds rubies, pink opal and hematite.

A symbol of strength and spiritual equilibrium, hematite is also the anchor of two other styles, Gloria and Donna. Conveying a message of emancipation and passion for life, Gloria’s case and crown sport black spinels, pink and yellow sapphires and diamonds, paired with a dial plate of hematite, onyx and pink opal.

Donna, meanwhile, encapsulates change and new awakenings, suffused with sensual radiance. Its predominant hues are warm shades of yellow, pink and orange, with a case and crown set with sapphires, diamonds, spessartines and rubies.

Another precious stone infused with meaning is green chrysoprase, also known as chrysolemon when it leans further towards red on the colour spectrum. Associated with energy and momentum, it’s used to great effect in the exuberant Carmen – where it takes the lead on the dial plate alongside malachite, lapis lazuli, tsavorites, peridots and sapphires – and to represent strength and rebellion in Grace, where blue and green predominate thanks to sapphires, amethysts, tsavorites and chrysoprase.

Chrysoprase also plays a supporting role in Liz, where the main focus is on sugilite, a mineral comprising a rare and complex mix of elements. This vivid purple stone sits perfectly at the heart of this style as an expression of ultraviolet passion.

With a case and crown set with sapphires and diamonds and a dial plate that adds onyx, pink mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli and jasper, shades of blue and pink come together in Paloma to convey creativity and iconoclasm.

Set with sapphires, rubies and diamonds on the case and crown, and lapis lazuli, white mother-of-pearl and turquoise on the dial plate, blue joins red and white in Diana. This style is an ode to liberation and respect.

For those inspired by the hues of nature, Jane represents equality and liberation. The case and crown are set with yellow and pink sapphires, diamonds and spessartines, paired with a dial plate sporting rubies, yellow sapphires, turquoise and opal.

Last but not least is the multifaceted Jessica. With one foot in the future, its first act is an electric blue blaze, while its second is golden as the sun. Sapphires, diamonds and spessartines blend with a range of other colours and gemstones to give life to another one-of-a-kind style.

By bringing to life the story of the 70s disco era and glamorous women, these unique timepieces symbolise a timeless and profound message of empowerment to all those who wear them. And, just like the women who inspired the styles, they’re guaranteed to make a statement.

Discover the RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman collection by Richard Mille online at richardmille.com