Richard Mille’s RM71-02 collection is an ode to the flamboyant 1970s disco era – a time of extravagant gem-set watches set with stone dials. But this being Richard Mille, the watches have now been re-imagined for the modern age and sport a very technical edge – the result is truly spectacular and is a superb example of modern watchmaking while paying homage to traditional skills like gem-setting. Each timepiece in this collection is a technical marvel, each watch is equipped with a self-winding tourbillon movement made largely from grade 5 titanium.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first appearance of an RM71-02 'Grace' at any public auction. These watches reimagine the textures and colours of the Seventies. The design inspiration apparently comes from “1970s culture, such as the throbbing beat of a hit single, the theatrical interiors of Studio 54 and the glittering lamé and sequin-strewn outfits that defined the era.”

It would have been easy to produce a collection of exclusive and pretty gem-set manual-winding watches. However, the brand has stayed true to its avant-garde roots, the automatic skeletonised movement CRMT1 features a tourbillon escapement.

The collection comprises 10 models, each limited to just seven pieces and named for pop culture icons from the era – Bianca Jagger, Carmen D’ Allesio, Gloria Gaynor, Paloma Picasso, Liz Taylor, Jessica Lange, Jane Fonda, Diana Ross, Donna Summer and the present example Grace Jones, the singer, model and actress.