Richard Mille RM 026 Watch For Women, With Snakes

It is fascinating for me to see how high-tech themed watch maker Richard Mille produces women's jewelry watches using the same watch case styles. While the two manner of watches are seemingly very different, the brand is able to make it work. For 2011, Richard Mille's new ultra high-end women's watch is the RM 026, otherwise known (to me) as the "snakes in a mother f'in half million dollar watch." Ya baby, this is THAT watch.

The idea behind the piece is that the skeletonized tourbillon movement should look like two snakes are moving around in it. The illusion works pretty well. Thankfully the snakes are not too life-like being made out of precious stones (otherwise that might be quite creepy). One snake is done in mostly rubies, while the other in mostly emeralds. Look closely and you'll see scales engraved into the 18k white gold of the snake bodies. On the snakes, as the hour indicators, and all over the case are diamonds. A really neat feature is that sapphire caseback displays a solid onyx place (very hard to find a suitable stone that size). See that little snake tongue? It is done in coral.

The new RM 026 movement has the time, a tourbillon, a seconds indicator on the back of the watch (the celtic style star spins), and a power reserve indicator on the dial (sort of hidden on the side). The tonneau shaped watch case is 39.70mm wide and 45mm tall. Richard Mille will offer the RM 026 in titanium, 18k red gold, or 18k white gold. Priced at $485,000, $505,000, and $510,000 respectively.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Richard Mille RM026 watch