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Singer Ed Sheeran spotted wearing Richard Mille

Ed Sheeran has long worn his wealth quietly, but the Richard Mille RM 26-02 Evil Eye Tourbillon on his wrist is anything but understated. The British singer-songwriter was recently photographed sporting one of only 25 examples of this limited-edition tourbillon — a watch that occupies the extreme upper register even within Richard Mille's already stratospheric catalogue.

The RM 26-02 is built around a hand-wound tourbillon movement, the calibre CRMT2, beating at 21,600 vph with a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The baseplate and bridges are machined from grade 5 titanium, keeping weight minimal despite the mechanical complexity housed within. What truly defines the RM 26-02, however, is its sculptural dial centrepiece: a three-dimensional 'Evil Eye' skull crafted in precious stone and set with diamonds, suspended within the openworked case. The motif draws on ancient talismanic symbolism while functioning simultaneously as Richard Mille's most theatrically decorative statement to date. The tonneau-shaped case, produced in a combination of red gold and titanium, measures 50mm × 42.7mm — characteristic of Richard Mille's unapologetically large format.

With production capped at 25 pieces globally, the RM 26-02 sits in a category where collector demand structurally outpaces supply before a single watch reaches a boutique. Richard Mille launched the reference circa 2015, and examples rarely surface on the secondary market. When they do, discretion tends to govern the transaction. The UK list price of £543,000 positions it among the most expensive wristwatches available through authorised retail channels anywhere in the world.

Sheeran has been a known Richard Mille collector for several years, previously spotted in various RM references that suggest genuine engagement with the brand rather than borrowed press-day loans. His taste runs toward bold, sculptural pieces — the RM 26-02 fits that profile precisely. For an artist who built his public image on deliberate ordinariness, the Evil Eye Tourbillon represents a considered, confident departure.

On the grey market, confirmed sales data for the RM 26-02 is sparse given its rarity, but comparable ultra-limited Richard Mille tourbillon references with artistic complications have traded significantly above retail. Anyone holding an example is sitting on one of the most illiquid — and therefore most exclusive — assets in contemporary horology.