Richard Mille unveils new $1.2m ‘smiley emoji’ watch

Swiss watch maker Richard Mille has just unveiled a new ‘smiley emoji’ watch that’s guaranteed to have collectors head over heels.

Richard Mille certainly knows how to combine hype with proper watch-making skills and the new RM 88 Automatic Tourbillon Smiley proves it.

There’s only one minor issue: it costs $1.2 million.

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It took three years to develop, and despite the cheerful nature of the dial, it’s powered by an extremely sophisticated movement.

The complex tourbillon movement, which is visible through the skeletonized dial, is made from grade 5 titanium, protected by layers of PVD-coating and gold.

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Speaking of the dial, in addition to the gold-painted smiley face, you’ll find tiny figurines made of titanium and aluminium.

You’ve got a rainbow, a cloud, a cocktail with a little umbrella inside the glass, the sun, a pineapple, a cactus and a flamingo.

The case is made from a combination of white ceramic, and 18k red gold.

The smiley emoji on the crown is the cherry on top of the cake.

The Richard Mille Smiley watch is limited to just 50 units, each priced at $1.2 million.

About Richard Mille

Founded in Switzerland in 2001, Richard Mille owes its meteoric rise to great marketing tactics and ground-breaking designs.

RM mostly releases tonneau-shaped watches and generally hires well-known celebrities and athletes as brand ambassadors.

This, combined with the fact that RM makes everything in-house, explains the eye-watering prices.

RM timepieces are very expensive to begin with but they usually trade at a premium in the secondary market because the company can’t keep up with demand.

Supercar Blondie’s Alex Hirschi has one, you can check out her full collection in the video down below.