Summary of Key Points about the Modified Richard Mille (Model RM35-01 – Parmigiani Caliber vs. Generic Movement)
Based on the latest video transcript (focusing on the Richard Mille RM35-01 carbon fiber watch), here are the essential features of this top‑tier modified watch, with a detailed comparison between the Parmigiani Fleurier caliber (premium) and generic “water movements.”
1. Model & Movement Origin
- Model: Richard Mille RM35-01 (carbon fiber case, solid caseback)
- The premium modification is based on an RM basic Parmigiani Fleurier movement – modified and upgraded to RM35-01 specifications
- Why Parmigiani? Because original RM movements (especially in earlier models) were OEM from Parmigiani Fleurier, so using genuine Parmigiani parts is the most authentic approach
2. Comparison: Parmigiani Caliber vs. Generic Movement
| Feature | Parmigiani Caliber | Generic “Water Movement” (Budget – Tens of thousands) |
|---|---|---|
| Gear color (double spring & adjustment gear) | Silver titanium color + titanium black side | Lighter color |
| Central axis | Double‑layered treatment, very clear, silver center point in the middle – original‑spec | Lacks double‑layered detail; inferior |
| Skeletonization (hollowing) | Very, very high – at 2 o’clock, 6 o’clock, etc. – matches genuine | Lower degree, less open‑worked |
| Shock absorber | Exactly the same size as original – uses original Parmigiani shock absorber | Smaller shock absorber |
| Spring sleeve | One side screw larger, other side smaller – matches original detail; sleeve is very smooth, polishing excellent; lower part thick sleeve, upper part thin sleeve | Lacks this asymmetrical detail; poor finishing |
| Puller / setting lever area | Polishing treatment very, very good; appears double‑layered but actually integrated correctly | Often appears double‑layered but incorrectly executed (wrong shape/finishing) |
| 1 o’clock screw & brushing | Achieves same effect as original | Inferior brushing and screw size |
| Overall movement finishing | Perfect – details match genuine | Cannot achieve this level |
3. Case – Carbon Fiber (NTPT)
- Developed with original data – imported NTPT carbon fiber
- Texture and luster are very good – ordinary market versions cannot achieve this
- Side carbon fiber – very, very delicate
- Caseback engravings – very good
- Screws – made of titanium alloy, craftsmanship details well handled
4. Weight
- Total weight: 62.5 grams – very, very light (matches genuine)
- Carbon fiber is designed for lightweight – correct for RM35-01
5. Solid Caseback Note
- The RM35-01 has a solid caseback – movement is not visible from the back
- Authentication must rely on front details (gears, central axis, shock absorber, skeletonization, etc.)
6. Cost & Budget
- Parmigiani caliber build: ~100,000 yuan
- Generic movement build: Tens of thousands (several times cheaper)
- Choice depends on budget and how much detail perfection you demand
7. Other Models Mentioned
- RM35-01 (this watch)
- RM35-02
- RM35-03 (also reportedly available)
- RM055 (previously covered)
8. Key Quality Checklist for RM35-01 (Premium Parmigiani Build)
| Component | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Gear color | Silver titanium + titanium black (not light) |
| Central axis | Double‑layered with silver center point |
| Skeletonization | High degree – open‑worked at 2 and 6 o’clock |
| Shock absorber | Correct size (same as original) |
| Spring sleeve | One large screw, one small screw; smooth polishing; thick lower + thin upper |
| Puller area | Excellent polishing, correct execution |
| 1 o’clock screw/brushing | Matches original |
| Carbon fiber case | Imported NTPT – correct texture, luster, delicate |
| Weight | ~62.5g |
| Caseback engravings | Deep, clear |
| Screws (case) | Titanium alloy, well finished |
Concluding Comment
This video focuses on the Richard Mille RM35-01 – a carbon fiber model with a solid caseback. Because the caseback is solid, the movement can only be judged from the front. That makes the front details (gear color, central axis, skeletonization, shock absorber, spring sleeve, puller area, and screw finishing) absolutely critical for authentication.
Strengths of the Parmigiani‑based premium build:
- Uses genuine original Parmigiani Fleurier movement parts – spring barrel, puller, balance wheel, shock absorber – disassembled and modified. This is the only way to achieve correct shock absorber size, asymmetrical sleeve screws (one large, one small), double‑layered central axis with silver center point, and proper gear colors.
- High skeletonization – the movement is very open‑worked at 2 o’clock, 6 o’clock, etc., matching genuine RM35-01. Generic “water movements” are much more solid and filled.
- NTPT carbon fiber case – developed from original data, correct texture and luster, very delicate side finish, good caseback engravings, titanium alloy screws.
- Correct weight – 62.5 grams, extremely light as expected for carbon fiber RM.
- Clear differentiation from generic – Bozhong provides specific, actionable checks: gear color, central axis layering, shock absorber size, sleeve screw asymmetry, puller finishing. These are easy for a buyer to verify.
- Honest cost breakdown – ~100,000 yuan for Parmigiani build vs. tens of thousands for generic. Buyers can choose based on budget.
Final verdict: For collectors who want a high‑end modified RM35-01 with a movement that closely mimics the original’s front appearance, the Parmigiani‑based build is the best available. The use of genuine Parmigiani parts (shock absorber, springs, puller, balance) ensures that critical details – shock absorber size, sleeve screw asymmetry, double‑layered central axis, gear colors – are correct. Generic “water movements” fail on all these points. The NTPT carbon fiber case, with its correct texture, luster, weight (62.5g), and engravings, matches the genuine well.
The price difference (100k vs. tens of thousands) is significant, so buyers must decide whether the pursuit of “perfect details” is worth the premium. For those who can afford it and understand that this is an unauthorized modified watch (not a genuine RM), this RM35‑01 represents the pinnacle of RM modification – a watch that will pass casual inspection from the front with confidence. Bozhong’s detailed checklist (gear color, central axis, skeletonization, shock absorber, sleeve screws, puller finishing, carbon fiber texture, weight) provides an invaluable guide for anyone navigating the RM35‑01 market. As always, independent verification of the movement components (if claimed as genuine Parmigiani) is recommended. For the right buyer, this is a spectacular “spend less, achieve more” proposition.
Hello everyone, this is Bozwatch Watches.
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).
Later, some fans sent me private messages wanting to know about the most upgraded Richard Mille RM35-01 currently on the market. They asked me to make a video with them to authenticate it. Well, today it’s here.
The watch in my hand is a modified watch based on the RM basic Parmigiani caliber – modified and upgraded to an RM35-01.
First, let’s look at whether it’s the carbon fiber texture of the case, the color of the gears inside the movement, or the details and polishing of the central axis – all of these completely meet original craftsmanship standards. For a movement like this, if you truly own one, it can be called a top‑tier modified movement.
Let me briefly explain. In fact, there are many modified Richard Mille movements – some cheap, some expensive. Cheap movements are just upgraded versions of common “water movements.” But the water movement’s details are not as impressive as the Parmigiani. The Parmigiani movement is so well made and perfect.
So what are the specific differences?
First, look at these two gears – they are a double spring and adjustment gear. See their color? It’s a silver titanium color, and this side is titanium black. On a generic movement, the color here would be lighter. But look at this part – its central axis is treated in a double‑layered manner, very clear, with a silver center point in the middle. This is the original‑spec central axis.
What does it mean to modify a Parmigiani Fleurier movement? It means that these parts – the spring barrel, the puller area, the balance wheel – are all taken from original genuine Parmigiani Fleurier movement parts and then modified. So in terms of these details, generic movements cannot achieve such perfection.
For this kind of movement, the degree of skeletonization is very, very high. Where does that show? For example, the skeletonization at 2 o’clock and at 6 o’clock – all match the same level as the genuine.
Another way to distinguish a Parmigiani caliber from a generic movement is to look at the shock absorber. See? Its shock absorber is exactly the same as the original, because it uses an original Parmigiani shock absorber. On a generic movement, the shock absorber is smaller.
Notice the two ends of the spring – look at this sleeve. The screw on one side of the sleeve is larger, and the screw on the other side is smaller. Have you noticed? If you have seen and understood the genuine movement, you’ll know that the sleeve on the original has one side larger and one side smaller – and this one matches perfectly. That’s a key detail.
Also look at the sleeve in this area – its sleeve is very smooth. The polishing treatment is excellent. The lower part is a thick sleeve, and the upper part is a thin sleeve. If you observe the original movement, you will see this kind of detail. Generic movements or any ordinary modified movement on the market cannot achieve this level of fine craftsmanship.
Now look at the puller area. On a generic movement, the puller area appears double‑layered, but it’s actually integrated – which is very wrong. In this area, the polishing treatment is very, very good. Including the 1 o’clock position – the size of this screw and the brushing process – this kind of process achieves the same effect as the original.
This watch, the RM35-01, has a solid caseback, so we can’t see the movement from the back. We can’t disassemble it for everyone here, but from the front details, you can easily distinguish the Parmigiani movement from generic movements.
When choosing this kind of modified watch, you must be careful to select one with good, suitable craftsmanship. Of course, that also depends on your budget. Based on current modification prices and market conditions, an RM35-01 upgraded with a Parmigiani Fleurier movement costs about 100,000 yuan, while a generic movement version costs tens of thousands – a price difference of several times. It mainly depends on your own financial situation.
For modified RM watches, especially carbon fiber models, the carbon fiber’s grain and luster are very important, including the case shape. According to the merchant, this carbon fiber case is developed based on original data – such original‑data development ensures the weight is completely consistent with the genuine. Carbon fiber is mainly designed for lightweight.
Let me weigh it for you. How much does this entire watch weigh? You can see it weighs only 62.5 grams – very, very light. Extremely light and thin. It is made of imported NTPT carbon fiber – such a carbon fiber case. Its texture and luster are very good. See? This is something ordinary market versions cannot achieve – this kind of carbon fiber texture. Look at the side – the carbon fiber is very, very delicate. Including the caseback – the engraving process is also very good. Look at these screws – they are all made of titanium alloy. The screw craftsmanship details are also very well handled.
In fact, in the RM modification market, there are many styles to choose from – the RM055, the RM35‑01, even the RM35‑02, and as far as I know, the RM35‑03 has also been made.
If you want to spend less money to achieve big goals, and you want to know how to play with modified custom watches, you can contact Bozwatch – I will also give you some recommendations.
That’s the end of today’s watch sharing. If you like Bozwatch’s videos, please double‑tap to like and follow. See you next time.
