Elite Traveler Fall 2023

RICHARD MILLE RM 66 TOURBILLON Only the second fl ying tourbillon that Richard Mille has ever produced, this RM 66 intertwines art and fi ne watchmaking. The 18-karat 5N rose gold, open-worked X-ray hand in the middle of the movement gets the most attention since it holds the movement in its fi ngers. The parts of the fi ngersnot visible from the dial side can be seen from the caseback side, still holding the movement. The hand was engraved by a master artisan to bring out the contours of the bones. The watch spent 1,500 hours in research and development. The movement boasts a fl ying tourbillon at 12 o’clock and the case is made of Carbon TPT, while the case sides have 18-karat gold three-dimensional ‘clou’ studding. Just 50 pieces will be made. $1.1m, richardmille.com

LOUIS MOINET SAVANNA TOURBILLON LEOPARD

Independent Swiss brand Louis Moinet is a leader when it comes to creativity and design. Time and time again, Louis Moinet wows us with its use of unusual materials and intriguing case architecture. The new Savanna Tourbillon Leopard is a prime example: The metal dial is actually a jigsaw puzzle. It started round and was cut into 81 individual jigsaw pieces. Then, every piece was individually hand-painted and lacquered to yield a stunningly realistic leopard. Because the puzzle pieces were micro-painted, the edges of some are higher than others; with the puzzle put back together to form the dial, the onlooker can actually see the individual pieces. The watch is a work of art, powered by a mechanical movement with tourbillon escapement. Price on request, louismoinet.com