I am looking through the 2012 Richard Mille releases and the only thing to say is that Richard Mille ABSOLUTELY OVER THE TOP this year — in a good and exciting way.  Some very amazing and far reaching designs, really good stuff.  Here’s the first, but believe me there is more and arguably better to come.  I would add that most all of these pieces will be well into the six figures if not into the millions, price-wise.  Where others may have been content to exploit the purely visual aspect of the skull, Richard Mille has taken the concept further by integrating it directly into the complete timepiece.

The baseplate and bridges take the form of a grade 5 titanium skull. Richard Mille has pushed the concept further by integrating this into the movement. The upper and lower jaws hold the ruby of the tourbillon cage. The back of the skull is actually the movement’s center bridge. The skeletonized baseplate and bridges were subjected to rigorous testing to insure their optimal strength.  The entire movement is connected to the case by 4 bridges that are inspired by the crossed bones from flags on pirate ships. The new case design, with its opened flanks, continues this visual allegory to the human skeleton.

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 052 Skull

Limited edition of 21 pieces, which includes 15 pieces in titanium and 6 unique set pieces in red or white gold