Richard Mille: Putting a smile in watchmaking

Cécile Guenat, director of creation and development of Richard Mille, combines excellence, innovation and empowerment to produce exceptional timepieces

Richard Mille’s RM 88 Smiley is, at first glance, a whimsical tribute to pop culture with its iconic smiley face surrounded by tiny emoji-inspired sculptures like a rainbow cloud, cocktail glass and pink flamingo. But while it is brimming with fun and enthusiasm, the RM 88 Smiley is in fact a technical achievement of the highest order. Every detail – from the skeletonised automatic winding tourbillon movement to the microblasted grade 5 titanium baseplate and bridges to the flamingo’s eye made using the smallest beading tool in existence – required meticulous planning, execution and an unwavering commitment to perfection.

Besides being an impressive feat of watchmaking, the RM 88 Smiley is also a testament to the brand’s distinct aesthetic and technical prowess, which is shaped in large part by its director of creation and development, Cécile Guenat.

Guenat’s design philosophy seamlessly blends Richard Mille’s core values of excellence, innovation and empowerment with her unique creative vision. Her work, exemplified by the RM 88 Smiley, not only challenges industry norms but also empowers women to embrace their personal style and self-expression. Indeed, Guenat’s profound understanding of Richard Mille’s DNA and her ability to translate complex engineering concepts into visually captivating designs have solidified her status as a true trailblazer in the world of luxury watchmaking.

Also see: Richard Mille: Amanda Mille on empowering women