- Case
- Tonneau
- Size
- 42.70 × 50.00 × 15.95 mm
- Edition
- 15 titanium pieces within 21 total
Overview
Grade 5 titanium case and integrated skull movement structure
Presented in 2012, the RM 052 Skull put the skull into the mechanism rather than onto a dial: the manually wound RM052 calibre takes its baseplate and bridges in the form of a grade 5 titanium skull, with the upper and lower jaws holding the ruby of the tourbillon cage and the back of the skull acting as the centre bridge. Four further bridges connect the movement to the caseband.
The case is produced in grade 5 titanium, measuring 42.70 × 50.00 mm, with openings machined into the bezel and caseback. The strap is black rubber.
The titanium execution accounts for 15 pieces. The RM 052 ran to 21 pieces in total: 15 in titanium and six individual gem-set pieces in red or white gold. The six gem-set watches are individual pieces rather than a sub-edition of six identical ones.
Key details
Design and engineering
- Skull baseplate and bridgesThe baseplate and bridges are the skull. Richard Mille describes the choice as integrating the symbol into the mechanics rather than exploiting it visually.
- Tourbillon supportThe upper and lower jaws grip the ruby bearing of the tourbillon cage, so the escapement sits in the skull’s mouth.
- Crossed-bone bridgesFour structural bridges connect the movement to the caseband.
- Opened titanium caseOpenings are machined through the bezel and caseback to reduce material and expose more of the movement architecture.
- Case machining and finishingThe case requires multiple machining stages, hand-polished chamfers and finishing of the openings and pillars.
- Skeletonised baseplate and bridgesSubjected to rigorous testing to confirm strength after skeletonisation.
- Carbon and DLC-treated titanium flangesThe upper flange is carbon, while the lower flange is DLC-coated grade 5 titanium.
- Sapphire casebackThe skull is legible from the reverse as well as the front.
Specifications
Technical specifications
| Reference | RM 052 |
|---|---|
| Year | 2012 |
| Calibre | RM052 |
| Winding | Manual |
| Functions | Hours, minutes |
| Complication | Tourbillon |
| Power reserve | Circa 48 hours (± 10%) |
| Frequency | 21,600 vph (3 Hz) |
| Jewels | 19 |
| Movement dimensions | 32.80 × 30.90 × 6.87 mm |
| Tourbillon diameter | 10.90 mm |
| Balance diameter | 9.12 mm |
| Baseplate and bridges | Grade 5 titanium, in the form of a skull |
| Case | Tonneau |
| Case dimensions | 42.70 × 50.00 × 15.95 mm |
| Case material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Case construction | Openings in bezel and caseback |
| Upper flange | Carbon |
| Lower flange | Grade 5 titanium, DLC-coated |
| Crystal | Sapphire, anti-reflective |
| Caseback | Sapphire |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Strap | Black rubber |
| Edition | 15 titanium pieces within 21 total |
Buying with HYPA
Purchase with confidence
- Manufacturer warranty confirmed from the warranty card
- Insured worldwide delivery
- Payment by bank transfer or cryptocurrency
- Registered Australian dealerHYPA International Pty Ltd · Victorian Second-Hand Dealer Licence SHD-0018017.
- Direct specialist supportSpeak with the HYPA team before, during and after the purchase.
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