Richard Mille RM 52-01 Tourbillon Skull
Skeletonised skull dial · manual tourbillon · tonneau case
The skull is not decoration laid on a dial. It is the dial, machined from a single block, and the jaw carries the tourbillon.
- Reference
- RM 52-01
- Dial
- Machined skull, structural
- Movement
- Manual tourbillon
- Case
- Confirmed per version
- Series
- Small limited run
A dial that had to hold the movement together.
Most skull watches print or apply a skull onto a dial. The RM 52-01 machines one out of a single block of metal and then uses it as the dial plate: the cheekbones and brow carry the hour markers, and the jaw holds the tourbillon cage at six o'clock. It is a structural component, which is why it took the work it did.
Richard Mille released it across several case materials over the years — titanium, Carbon TPT, and sapphire among them — and the skull itself has been executed in different finishes. The case version changes the character of the watch considerably, so it is worth being specific about which one you mean.
Under it is a manual-winding tourbillon on a skeletonised baseplate. These were made in small runs and are held rather than traded, so this is a network search and often a patient one.
- Skull machined from a single block and used as the structural dial
- Tourbillon carried in the jaw at six o'clock
- Released across several case materials and skull finishes
- Small limited runs; held rather than traded
As it leaves the manufacture
- Case
- Case
- Tonneau; version confirmed for the individual watch
- Crystal
- Sapphire, front and back
- Crown
- Richard Mille crown with integrated seal
- Water resistance
- Confirmed for the individual watch
- Movement
- Type
- Manual winding tourbillon, skeletonised
- Dial
- Machined skull acting as the dial plate
- Power reserve
- Confirmed for the individual watch
- Functions
- Hours and minutes
- Strap and series
- Strap
- Rubber, in the colour of the version
- Series
- Small limited runs across several case materials
- Note
- Case version materially changes the character of the watch
Other Richard Mille watches requested
Each page is a guide to the reference and how we source it, not a listing. If yours is not here, ask anyway.
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Richard Mille RM 47 Tourbillon, The Sword of the Samurai Read more -
Richard Mille RM 57-01 Tourbillon Phoenix and Dragon, Jackie Chan Read more -
Richard Mille RM 68-01 Tourbillon Cyril Kongo Read more -
Richard Mille RM 72-01 Lifestyle In-House Chronograph Read more -
Richard Mille Tourbillon Sapphire case Read more
Sourced to your brief, itemised before you decide
Nothing on this page is stock. The version matters as much as the reference, so we agree it with you first.
The brief
Which case version and skull finish you are after. A photograph of the one you have seen settles it faster than any description.
Availability and timing
Confirmed for each request from our network. Richard Mille art pieces are made in tiny series and rarely come to market on demand; we say what is realistic rather than promise a date.
What accompanies the watch
Richard Mille box, warranty card, booklets, spare straps and any service records are itemised for the individual watch we propose.
Condition and documents
Condition of the case and crystal, the finish of the skull under magnification, provenance, service history and verification arrangements are set out before you decide.
Four steps, no pressure
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Brief
Send the reference by WhatsApp or the form, with the dial, set and timing that matter to you. A collection or a style is enough to begin.
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Source
We go to our network rather than a boutique list, and come back with what is realistic on availability and timing before you commit to anything.
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Verify
Condition, documents and what accompanies the watch are set out in writing for the individual piece we propose. You decide with the details in front of you.
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Settle and deliver
Bank transfer in any major currency, or crypto. Collection in London or fully insured delivery, agreed for the watch and the destination.
Looking for a different watch?
Any brand, any reference, whether or not it appears on this site. Tell us what you have in mind and we take it from there.
Frequently asked questions
Is the skull just a decorated dial?
No. It is machined from a single block and serves as the dial plate, carrying the hour markers and holding the tourbillon cage in the jaw. That is the reason the watch exists.
Which case versions were made?
Several over the run, including titanium, Carbon TPT and sapphire. They differ enough that we confirm the exact version of any watch we propose rather than treat them as interchangeable.
Why are the specifications on this page incomplete?
Because they differ by version, and we would rather leave a line blank than fill it with a figure that turns out to describe a different watch. Everything is confirmed in writing for the individual piece.
How long does it take to source one?
It depends on the configuration and how specific the brief is. We tell you what is realistic at the start rather than quote a number we cannot keep.
Can I pay in crypto?
Yes. Bank transfer in any major currency, or crypto; Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum, USDT and other major coins and stablecoins are accepted. The coin, network and amount are confirmed with you before any transfer.
Tell us the watch you have in mind
An exact reference or an idea is enough to start the conversation. We will take care of the search and discuss the options with you.