Richard Mille’s latest iteration of its ladies tourbillon is the RM026-01 Panda, with a diamond-set giant panda sitting on the dial, complete with bamboo in solid yellow gold.

Though better known its is ultra-light, ultra-geek and ultra-expensive men’s tourbillons, Richard Mille has used the same case and movement to create ladies’ watches, with some success. The newest bejewelled ladies’ timepiece is the RM026-01 Panda Tourbillon. Every creature, mythical or otherwise, associated with China – and which watchmakers think have half a chance of appealing to the Chinese consumer – has been Shanghaied onto a watch dial, or case back.

Here the universally adored giant panda, made from white gold and covered in white and black diamonds, sits beside the tourbillon, munching on a stick of bamboo. 

Around him are bamboo shoots, made of yellow gold and hand-painted with a green tint. The theme of bamboo shoots continues onto the tourbillon as well, with its titanium bridge shaped like the plant.

And like the other RM026 ladies’ tourbillons, this has a black onyx base plate. This is a limited edition of 30 pieces in rose gold or white gold, which is pictured here. Both versions are set with diamonds. – SJX