Summary of Key Points about the Modified Richard Mille Tourbillon (Model RM12-01 – Premium Custom vs. Regular Market)
This video is focusing on the Richard Mille RM12-01 tourbillon, here are the essential features and differences between a premium custom‑upgraded version and a regular market version, along with key quality indicators.
1. Model & Context
- Model: Richard Mille RM12-01 (tourbillon)
- Other tourbillon models mentioned: RM53‑01 (polo), RM088 (smiley face) – all can be modified/upgraded
- Comparison shown: Left watch = customized & upgraded (premium); Right watch = regular market version (inferior)
2. Key Differences – Premium Custom vs. Regular Market
| Feature | Premium Custom (Left) | Regular Market (Right) |
|---|---|---|
| Degree of hollowing | High – spring box is hollowed out; many unnecessary gears removed | Low – solid, filled areas, no hollowing |
| Gear sizes | Large gears (matches original) | Small gears |
| Puller / setting lever shape | Correct shape | Triangle shape – completely different from original |
| Movement texture & polishing | Better polishing, finer texture | Inferior polishing |
| Screws | Small screws (consistent with original) | Big screws – completely different |
3. Carbon Fiber Case
- The premium custom watch uses a carbon fiber case developed with original data
- Carbon fiber texture and grain are “quite good” – matches original
- The regular market case has inferior carbon fiber texture (implied)
4. Well‑Made Alternative – White TBT Quartz Carbon Fiber RM12‑01
- Another well‑made style shown: white TBT quartz carbon fiber RM12‑01
- Carbon fiber texture: Very good, very full
- Crystal: Sapphire with blue anti‑reflective (AR) coating – good quality
- Thickness: Consistent with original
- Side: Black
- Bottom cover engraving: “GBT experimental carbon fiber” – very deep engravings
5. Movement Type
- The premium custom watch uses a real integrated suspended tourbillon – custom upgraded
- Not a standard clone; designed to be closer to the original
6. Purpose of Modification
- To be closer to the original / regular army
- To avoid embarrassment when wearing – “not look fake at first glance”
7. Key Quality Checklist for RM12‑01 Tourbillon
| Component | What to Look For (Premium Build) |
|---|---|
| Hollowing | High degree – spring box hollowed, unnecessary gears removed |
| Gear size | Large gears (matching original) |
| Puller shape | Correct shape (not triangle) |
| Movement finishing | Good polishing, fine texture |
| Screws | Small screws (not big) |
| Carbon fiber case | Developed from original data – correct texture and grain |
| Crystal | Sapphire with blue AR coating (on well‑made versions) |
| Engravings (caseback) | Deep, clear (e.g., “GBT experimental carbon fiber”) |
| Tourbillon | Real integrated suspended tourbillon (functional) |
Concluding Comment
This video provides a rare side‑by‑side comparison of two Richard Mille RM12‑01 tourbillon watches: a premium custom‑upgraded version (left) and a regular market version (right). The differences are significant and serve as a practical buyer’s guide for anyone considering a high‑end RM tourbillon modification.
Strengths of the premium custom build:
- High degree of hollowing – the spring box is hollowed out, and unnecessary gears are removed, closely mimicking the genuine RM tourbillon’s open‑worked aesthetic. The regular market version is solid and filled – an instant tell.
- Large gears – correct size, matching the original. Regular market uses small gears.
- Correct puller shape – not the incorrect triangle shape found on cheaper versions.
- Better movement finishing – superior polishing and texture.
- Small screws – consistent with the original; regular market uses big screws (completely wrong).
- Carbon fiber case developed from original data – correct texture and grain.
- Well‑made alternative (white TBT quartz carbon fiber) – good carbon fiber texture, sapphire with blue AR coating, correct thickness, deep caseback engravings.
Final verdict: For collectors who want a Richard Mille tourbillon – one of the most complex and prestigious complications in RM’s lineup – the regular market version is full of obvious tells (solid movement, small gears, triangle puller, big screws). The premium custom build addresses all of these issues with correct hollowing, gear sizes, puller shape, screw size, and carbon fiber case. The white TBT quartz carbon fiber version is also a well‑executed alternative. However, the cost is substantial, and the movement remains a high‑quality clone, not genuine. For the serious enthusiast with the budget who understands the trade‑offs, this premium RM12‑01 tourbillon modification is the best currently available. Bozhong’s detailed comparison – hollowing vs. solid, large vs. small gears, correct vs. triangle puller, small vs. big screws – provides an invaluable checklist for anyone navigating the RM tourbillon replica market. As always, independent verification of the tourbillon’s functionality and craftsmanship is recommended. For the right buyer, this watch delivers a convincing tourbillon experience at a fraction of the genuine price.
Hello everyone, I am Bozwatch, a watch lover.
Every watch is a work of art, a testament to time, and I am a fanatic believer in them. I also hope that all watch enthusiasts can avoid pitfalls and find their own “Bole” (discerning patron).
Some fans have messaged me privately, wanting to buy the best modified and upgraded Richard Mille tourbillon watch currently on the market. They asked me to make a video with them to authenticate it.
Today, I spent my own money to buy such an RM tourbillon watch from a merchant. Its model is RM12-01. In fact, there are many tourbillon models in the Richard Mille lineup – for example, the RM12-01, the RM53-01 Polo, and the RM088 Smiley Face. All of these can be modified and upgraded.
So what’s the difference between a custom upgraded tourbillon and an ordinary market version? Today, I also have another watch – also an RM12-01. Let’s compare them together.
Take a look. The one on the left is a custom upgraded version. The one on the right is a regular RM12-01 commonly found on the market.
To be honest, there are many differences between these two movements.
First point – Look at the degree of skeletonization. The custom movement is much more open and hollowed out. See? There are many gears in the regular movement that are not skeletonized – they are solid. Look at the spring barrel here – the custom one is skeletonized, while the common market one is solid (completely filled).
Second – Look at the two gears here. The genuine gear – and also the custom upgraded gear – has a large gear. But the market version has a small gear.
Third – The puller area is also incorrect. Its shape should be a certain form, but on the market version, the shape is completely different.
Fourth – The texture and polishing of the movement. The market movement does not have the same level of finishing. The custom movement has much better polishing. See?
Fifth – Look at the case. The carbon fiber case here is developed and customized using original data. Its carbon fiber texture and pattern are quite good. And have you noticed that the screws are also consistent with the genuine – they are small screws. But the screws on the regular market version are big screws – completely different.
That is to say, the purpose of a modified watch is to be closer to the original, so that you won’t feel embarrassed when wearing it – it doesn’t look fake at first glance.
In fact, custom watches with an RM12-01 tourbillon movement come in many different styles to choose from. For example, this white TBT (quartz carbon fiber) RM12-01 is also a relatively good, well‑made style. You can see its carbon fiber texture is very good and full. Its crystal is sapphire with a blue anti‑reflective coating – very good. Its thickness is also consistent with the original. The side is black. The carbon fiber caseback is engraved with “GBT experimental carbon fiber” – very deep. See?
This is what a modified RM12-01 tourbillon watch looks like – a simple watch sharing. This is a true integrated suspended tourbillon that we customized and upgraded.
That’s all for today’s Bozwatch watch video. If you like Bozwatch’s videos, please double‑tap to like and follow us. See you next time.
