Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani—Asia’s richest man—was recently seen making a rare appearance at Vantara, his pioneering wildlife sanctuary in Jamnagar, Gujarat. But what truly caught the eye of watch enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike was the timepiece adorning his wrist: a one-of-one Richard Mille RM 26-01 Tourbillon Panda, custom-designed with a case encrusted entirely in vivid red rubies and paired with a white alligator leather strap.
The bespoke timepiece is not just a marvel of haute horology but a profound symbol, considering the sanctuary’s mission and the Panda dial centerpiece—an animal that represents love, vulnerability, and conservation worldwide.
The RM 26-01 is among Richard Mille’s most artistically expressive timepieces, and this one-of-a-kind iteration takes that artistic vision to breathtaking heights. The tonneau-shaped case, sculpted from precious metal and set with radiant rubies, makes a statement of opulence, while the dial is a miniature masterpiece. At its heart is a three-dimensional sculpture of a giant panda made from white gold, resting against hand-painted bamboo crafted with delicate enamel detailing.
The panda is set atop a bed of black onyx, a stone revered not just for its beauty but also for its metaphysical properties. It is believed that black onyx absorbs negative energy and fosters emotional stability. In many traditions, the stone is considered a protector against negative thoughts, a symbol of balance, and a source of inspiration—perhaps echoing the grounded yet ambitious spirit of Anant himself.
Underneath its artistic facade lies the technical brilliance that defines Richard Mille. The RM 26-01 is powered by a manual-winding tourbillon movement, the Caliber RM26-01. Composed of 19 jewels and beating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, the movement offers approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The tourbillon—a high-complication feature—counteracts the effects of gravity on the escapement, thus enhancing precision, while also serving as a visual spectacle for the wearer. True to Richard Mille’s ethos, the movement is built on a grade 5 titanium baseplate with bridges crafted from the same material, offering both rigidity and resistance to temperature variations and corrosion. Furthermore, all components are hand-finished to utter perfection.
While the original RM 26-01 retails for over $1 million, this particular ruby-encrusted, one-of-one edition is believed to be worth around $3.5 million. With its unparalleled craftsmanship, precious materials, and exclusivity, it is as much a work of art as it is a horological feat. This is not the only ultra-rare version of the RM 26-01 in Anant’s collection. He also reportedly owns another bespoke edition with a case entirely crafted from blue sapphire—a material notoriously difficult to machine, often taking over 1,000 hours to shape into the brand’s iconic tonneau case. The blue sapphire edition is equally extravagant, and together, the two make for an extraordinary collector’s duo.
Anant’s decision to wear the ruby-encrusted RM 26-01 Panda during a visit to Vantara adds layers of depth to what may appear at first glance as a luxurious fashion statement. The panda, classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN, serves as a fitting emblem of Vantara’s mission: to rescue, rehabilitate, and care for endangered and abused animals. It is a subtle yet poignant gesture that reflects Anant’s emotional connection to the sanctuary and the beings it protects.
Vantara—meaning “Star of the Forest”—is situated within Reliance’s Jamnagar Refinery Complex and sprawls across a massive 3,000 acres. Built on what was once barren land, the sanctuary is now a green haven supported by Reliance Industries and the Reliance Foundation. It houses over 2,000 animals from 43 species, including elephants, leopards, lions, crocodiles, rhinos, and rare birds. The center collaborates with global conservation bodies such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and employs more than 2,100 staff.
The facility includes a 150,000 sq. ft. animal hospital equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment including MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, dialysis, and even live video surgical suites. The Elephant Rescue Center, spanning 25,000 sq. ft., is the largest of its kind in the world, offering hydrotherapy, Ayurvedic massages, a custom-designed elephant jacuzzi, and round-the-clock care from veterinary experts and nutritionists.
With Vantara, Anant Ambani has created more than a sanctuary—he has built a global model for compassion-driven conservation. And in wearing a $3.5 million ruby-studded watch featuring a beloved endangered species, he sends a quiet but powerful message: that luxury and responsibility can coexist, and that wealth, when channeled with empathy, can help safeguard the planet’s most vulnerable creatures.
