The concept of the Evil Eye, also known as Ayin Harsha in Arabic countries, Nazar in Turkey or Matiasma in Greece, is a glance believed to have the power to cause harm to those on whom it falls and can come from anyone at any moment. The belief is that the cause can be zealousy, malevolent jealousy or envy. The Evil Eye knows no boundaries except those imposed on it by various protective talismans, like those popular Turkish or Israeli blown glass blue and white eyes. Today, we bring you a different type of amulet, one that you can strap on your wrist and protect you as others less fortunate take a quick glimpse at your powerful timepiece. The new Richard Mille RM 26-02 Tourbillon Evil Eye was just unveiled a few weeks ago at Replica Watches & Wonders 2015 in Hong Kong and now we bring you our hands-on review with tons of live pics for your enjoyment. In the same way as Richard Mille did when creating the earlier RM 052 Skull timepiece —recalling the spirit of Memento Mori—, both of these technical masterpieces, born in the Swiss Jura, go far beyond the norm to bring timekeeping to inspirational and intriguing levels of expression.
The Dial
The new Richard Mille Evil Eye RM 26-02 Tourbillon was designed and brought to life by Olivier Vaucher, a renowned craftsman from Geneva. Fashioned from 3N red gold, the flames and eye have been hand-carved using chisels made specifically to perfect the tiniest details.
The art of ‘grand feu’ enameling is what gives the eye its striking depth and realism. In grand feu enameling, the motif is painted onto the gold dial using various rare oxides before it is fired at a high temperature between 800°C and 900°C several times under the extremely attentive eye of the enameler in a process that leaves no room for mistakes.
It is then finished with several more layers of transparent lacquer which are also fired in the identical manner. These multiple layers collectively create an exquisite visual depth impossible to achieve by any other means. To further enhance the realism of this piece, painstaking micro-lacquer work is carried out by hand on the flames.
Additionally, twelve flawless diamonds have been set as markers around the carbon flange adding another layer of contrast and a touch of elegance.
The Case, Crown & Strap
The new Richard Mille RM26-02 Tourbillon Evil Eye is protected from the outside world by a black TZP ceramic case. The deep black of this high-tech ceramic —worked at length to obtain a matte effect over the entire surface— plays with the light of the hand-polished chamfers to highlight the curves of the case, which showcases the colors of the Evil Eye’s flames.
The case middle in 5N red gold features a torque limiting crown, which prevents the wearer from accidentally overwinding the tourbillon caliber. The tripartite case is water-resistant to 50 meters thanks to two Nitril O-ring seals and is assembled using 12 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and washers in 316L stainless steel.
The ultra cool look of the RM 26-02 Evil Eye Tourbillon is rounded out by an elegant supple black leather strap with the traditional double spring folding clasp in matching 5N red gold.
The Movement
Fully visible via the display case back, the Richard Mille Rm 26-02 Tourbillon Evil Eye is powered by the manual wound RM26-02 calibre with a power reserve of approximately 50 hours. The power reserve indicator is a red line on a differential-driven, rotating disk located between 10 and 11 o’clock.
Assembled using a plate and bridges in PVD-coated grade 5 titanium, which is highly resistant to corrosion and remarkably strong, the tourbillon calibre movement beating at 3 Hz is insured a perfectly functioning environment. The extensive skeletonization carried out on the baseplate reveals the other side of the Evil Eye through the back of the replica watch, hidden at the heart of the movement alongside the escapement. Additionally, as the tourbillon rotates in its cage, the disc with the black evil eye imprinted on it, rotates creating an interesting moiré effect.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the replica watch wears true to its size and extremely comfortably. Richard Mille is one of those brands that when you put the replica watch on it just wraps around your wrist. Make sure next time you go to one of those places full of haters, you have this on your wrist. While it might not work as well as a real amulet to protect you from the evil eye, it will for sure show everyone who’s the boss.
Sticker Price $575,000 USD. For more info Richard Mille click here.
