It’s hard to imagine that when tennis titan Rafael “Rafa” Nadal first met Richard Mille in 2008, he resisted the idea of wearing a watch on the court. Of course, the Swiss watch manufacture’s eponymous founder spent a lot of time convincing the tennis phenom. Eventually, in 2010, they jointly developed the world’s lightest tourbillon—and the first watch bearing the King of Clay’s name, the RM 027. The rest, as they say, is history.
“In our respective domains, we both seek to achieve excellence. Keeping alive this flame of passion for what we do each day is essential to me. It’s heart-warming to feel the confidence Richard and his teams show in allowing me to participate in this singular adventure,” says Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles.
Symbolising passion and innovation, the bond between Richard Mille and Nadal centres on pushing boundaries. After 14 years, their alliance continues to thrive, boasting a legacy embodied in two watch collections marking significant milestones in the remarkable journeys of both the sportsman and the watchmaker.
The RM 027 collection and the subsequent RM 035 range encapsulate their joint commitment to continuous advancement. The latest addition to the latter, the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal, exemplifies the enduring vitality of their partnership.
Richard Mille has long championed the idea of the watch as an invaluable tool, capable of withstanding even the most extreme conditions. In the RM 035 series, affectionately known as the “Baby Nadal” watches, cutting-edge technology dedicated to performance and precision reaches its pinnacle.
What distinguishes the fourth and latest reference is the groundbreaking butterfly rotor featured in the RM 35-03’s innovative calibre RMAL2. An evolution of the variable-geometry rotor present in the RM 35-02, the ingenious mechanism enables wearers to interact with their watch.
The patented butterfly rotor functions through an innovative yet straightforward mechanism. Crafted from Grade 5 titanium, with weight segments of heavy metal, the two halves of the rotor are hinged at the centre, emulating the wings of an arthropod.
During physical activity, such as playing tennis, the Sport Mode is activated by pressing a pusher at 7 o’clock. The “wings” then extend, evenly distributing weight components across 180 degrees. This configuration eliminates the need to wind the watch during rigorous activities, reducing wear and tear on the winding mechanism. It also offers a fun, tactile experience for the wearer, who can feel the weights unfolding on their wrist when the Sport Mode is activated.
Located at 6 o’clock on the dial, a winding indicator shows whether the oscillating weight is active (ON) or inactive (OFF). Complementing the movement’s control system is a function selector at 2 o’clock. Wearers can easily switch between winding (W), neutral (N), and hand-setting (H) functions with the pusher.
Developing the butterfly rotor was an ambitious three-year undertaking, which saw the Richard Mille team overcome technical complexities to integrate an additional gear train seamlessly into the movement.
Salvador Arbona, technical director for movements, elaborates, “Previously, any modification of the rotor’s geometry needed to be done by one of our licensed watchmakers. Now, we’ve perfected this system by giving the wearer the chance to directly control the winding of their watch. It’s similar to how a driver can tweak the responsiveness of their car to suit their driving environment or to improve performance at the track by deactivating or activating the Sport Mode.”
Naturally, a Richard Mille timepiece isn’t complete without the perfect blend of technical brilliance, aesthetic appeal, and the most advanced materials. Measuring 43.15mm by 49.95mm by 13.15mm, the RM 35-03 is available in three distinctive variants: white Quartz TPT and Carbone TPT with a Carbone TPT caseband, blue Carbone TPT with a white Quartz TPT caseband, and all-black Carbone TPT.
Flaunting cut-outs reminiscent of the RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, its design provides a captivating look at the skeletonised movement through the top and bottom sapphire crystals. Made from Grade 5 titanium, the baseplate and bridges have had grey electro-plasma and PVD treatments, creating a watch with a deep visual depth that emphasises its bold style.
The RM 35-03 symbolises Richard Mille’s long-standing partnership with Rafael Nadal. Their collaboration is characterised by relentless innovation, sheer determination, and the kind of tenacity that defines champions. After all, it takes someone special to win a record 14 French Open titles.
Mille encapsulates it succinctly: “Rafa and I are linked for life. We are together, rain or shine. It’s more than just watchmaking; it’s life!”
