Rafael Nadal has been a brand ambassador for Richard Mille since 2010, and together they’ve created a successful line of high-performance watches. For its 2024 release, Richard Mille unveils the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, marking the final chapter in its series with the tennis legend. Weighing just 11.5 grams excluding the strap, it sets a dual world record as the lightest and most G-force resistant manual-winding tourbillon watch, able to withstand up to 14,000 g-forces.
Visually, the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal presents a dark, sophisticated allure. Crafted from Carbon TPT B.4, a cutting-edge material pioneered in Formula 1, the case is not only remarkably light but also incredibly strong. Measuring a mere 37.25mm in diameter and 7.2mm thick, it maintains a comfortable 47.25mm lug-to-lug profile.
The dial of the watch also keeps embellishment to a minimum to reduce weight, with partially skeletonized central hour and minute hands, along with the barrel at 11 o’clock and the flying tourbillon at 5 o’clock; the only decorative touch is the addition of lines on two key bridges, echoing the V shape of the tourbillon.
At its core, the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal houses the ultra-thin Caliber RMUP-01 movement, a marvel of engineering combining high-performance with technical finesse. Crafted from PVD-treated grade 5 titanium for durability and featuring a Carbon TPT V-shaped gear train bridge for lightweight strength. Running at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) with a power reserve of around 55 hours, this movement exemplifies Richard Mille’s dedication to innovation and excellence.
Priced at a staggering CHF 980,000 (approximately $1,150,000 USD), the new Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is limited to just 80 pieces. To learn more about the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, please visit the brand’s official website. Check out his exclusive interview below.
