Richard Mille unleashes the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal Carbon TPT Edition

Richard Mille presented the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal Carbon TPT, the latest model inspired to the Spanish tennis champion. Price CHF 211,000

In 2021, Richard Mille launched its fourth timepiece in the Rafael Nadal collection, the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal.

Originally presented in white Quartz TPT with the caseband in Carbon TPT or in blue Quartz TPT with the caseband in white Quartz TPT, this condensate of watchmaking technology is now available in a third variation: the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal Carbon TPT.

The new model is entirely crafted in Carbon TPT, a Richard Mille signature material lending watches a powerful look and extreme lightness while ensuring robust and durable protection for the movement.

Measuring 43.15 mm x 49.95 mm with a thickness of 13.15 mm, the case of the RM 35-03 is water resistant to 50 metres / 165 feet, guaranteed by two Nitrile O-ring seals. It is assembled with 20 spline screws in Grade 5 titanium and abrasion-resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.

Entirely skeletonised, the 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) Calibre RMAL2 can be admired from both sides thanks to sapphire crystals on both the front and back. The baseplate and bridges, crafted of Grade 5 titanium with a grey electroplasma and PVD treatment, further enhance the bold visual statement of this timepiece.

The openwork hands sweep along the outer flange, also in microblasted Grade 5 titanium, punctuated with the numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12 and slanted inward towards the movement to enhance depth.

The sophisticated self-winding movement is equipped with a patented "butterfly" rotor which allows the wearer to directly interact with the rotor’s geometry, controlling the movement’s winding speed based on lifestyle and activity levels, for a complication that is both playful and practical.

This special rotor consists of two Grade 5 titanium arms mounted with heavy metal weight segments, activated by a separate gear train via a dedicated push-piece. In their initial position, the weight segments create a radial displacement of the gravitational centre outward, converting the wearer’s every movement into the torque needed to rewind the barrel. 

By pressing the push-piece at 7 o’clock, the rotor’s gears spread the two weights to a 180° angle. The gravitational centre is aligned and the rotor returns to a balanced position, suspending the winding process and thereby preventing excessive winding of the movement.

In shifting between modes — from the normal mode that winds the barrel spring to the ‘sports mode’ that suspends the rotor’s activity — pressure on the push-piece prompts the function to provide haptic feedback, allowing the wearer to actually feel the weight segments springing apart on their wrist.

A winding indicator at 6 o’clock on the dial, shows whether the oscillating weight is active (ON) or not (OFF). Rounding off the movement commands is a function selector. At a press of the push-piece at 2 o’clock, the user may shift between winding (W), neutral (N) and time-setting (H) activities.

It’s like a driver being able to adjust the transmission style from city use to racetrack by activating the sports mode.

Paired with an ultra-comfortable vented rubber strap, the new Richard Mille RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal Carbon TPT has price of CHF 211,000 excluding local sales taxes. richardmille.com 

Suggested reading:

- The history of the Richard Mille brand