SWISS watchmaking brand Richard Mille has introduced a new type of embellishment to their iconic RM 07-01 and RM 037 timepieces. Snow setting, an intricate technique wielded by the expert hands of the brand’s talented gem-setters, lends a natural brilliance to cases and bracelets.
Richard Mille RM 07-01
Customised to fit the shape of each watch, the technique is available in medium, invisible or pavé settings, enhancing the qualities of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, tsavorites, sapphires, opals, hematite and more.
The savoir faire of Richard Mille’s Snow Setting
Set side by side, each stone of differing size is placed using slender prongs, completely blanketing the surface of the watch. “The difficulty of this setting resides in the selection and arrangement of stones, playing on their varying diameters from 0.5 to 1.6 millimetres,” says Richard Mille.
The savoir faire of Richard Mille’s Snow Setting
“The gems must snugly fit to a micron’s precision, while maintaining the illusion of a random pattern. The Snow Setting thus sets pride of place to the daring and experience of the individual gem setter. Every Snow Setting is utterly unique, just like each stone.”
Richard Mille RM 07-01
To highlight this technique, the brand has unveiled a full snow set version in white gold of its RM 07-01 and RM 037 timepieces. Each sparkling with a pavé of diamonds on the bezel that is continued across the entire dial, both models are elevated with gem-set caseband pillars and an open-link bracelet, making for “a dazzling winter display.”
by Joshua Hendren