Richard Mille is a high-end watchmaker known for its unique and bold designs, and the RM 52-01 Skull is no exception. First released in 2013, the limited edition tourbillon wristwatch quickly became popular with the brand’s young, affluent clientele. The watch’s central feature is the skull motif, hand-bevelled and finished with a subtle brown PVD coating, which acts as a central bridge holding the movement in place. The manual-winding Calibre RM052, made by complications specialist Renaud & Papi in the Vallée de Joux, includes a free-sprung balance wheel, a fast rotating barrel, and a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.
Since its initial launch, several variations of the RM 52-01 have been released, each one made from one of the brand’s favorite and exclusive materials. One version, made specifically for the Asian market, features a combination of titanium, pink gold, and ceramic that is unique to that edition. The present example, set to appear at The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN, is the first of its kind to ever appear at auction and is highly anticipated by collectors.
The RM 52-01 Skull is a rare and coveted timepiece, impossibly difficult to obtain for even the most serious collectors. Its 
unique combination of materials and attention to detail make it a standout addition to any collection. The watch’s skull motif is a nod to the long history of death-themed clocks and watches, a theme that has fascinated clockmakers for centuries.
Skull-shaped pocket watches first became fashionable in Europe during the 16th century, when social elites began surrounding themselves with reminders of their mortality. Death remained a popular theme with clockmakers, appearing in automatons during the 18th and 19th centuries to count down the hours. In the 20th century, personifications of death took on a more passive and decorative role in wristwatches. However, the motif has regained popularity in contemporary watchmaking, with Richard Mille leading the charge with the release of the RM 52-01 Skull.
The RM 52-01 is made from grade 5 titanium and skeletonized to partially reveal the movement. The skull’s position is not accidental, as it acts as a central bridge holding the movement in place. The watch’s main feature is hand-bevelled and finished with a brown PVD coating. Between the skull’s upper and lower jaw is one of the watch’s most tantalizing details: a small jewel that belongs to the movement’s tourbillon cage.
The Calibre RM052 is a formidable movement, featuring a free-sprung balance wheel, a fast rotating barrel, and a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. It is made by complications specialist Renaud & Papi, known for their expertise in watchmaking. The RM 52-01 is one of the brand’s most eccentric watches and has been released in several variations, each made from one of Richard Mille’s favorite and exclusive materials.
