Richard Mille "RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal" The culmination of Nadal's models that return to a classic structure

Since its debut in 2010, the RM 027 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal has astounded the watch industry with its lightness and shock resistance. Its latest and likely final model, the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, boasts a weight of just 11.5g and an astounding shock resistance of 14,000g. Having continually experimented with materials and mechanisms, Richard Mille chose to break its previous record by designing a thin watch suitable for a dress watch. Why did Richard Mille decide to use a structure that is considered vulnerable to shocks in a wristwatch that boasts ultra-shock resistance?

Unprecedented impact resistance achieved through new materials

　Richard Mille introduced the concepts of lightness and strength to the watch industry. A symbol of this is the RM 027 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, released in 2010. Working with some of the world's best tennis players, Richard Mille has revolutionized the way mechanical watches are made. For example, the original RM 027 weighed just 20g, or just 13g for the case alone, despite being shock-resistant enough to withstand a tennis match. Since then, Richard Mille has continued to break records for lightness and shock resistance with the Nadal model of the RM 027 series (hereinafter referred to as the "Nadal model"). In 24, the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal was released, marking the culmination of this legacy.

　Previous Nadal models have been light and strong thanks to unprecedented new materials and even more unique designs. However, Richard Mille has adopted a more conventional design for the RM 27-05. While the tourbillon remains the same, it now features a flying tourbillon, eliminating the bridge, and the barrel has been redesigned to a type of suspended barrel supported by bearings. Additionally, the new design lacks a support for the crown wheel, a floating design that Richard Mille calls a flying barrel. The gear train also lacks a centered second wheel, making it an "offset gear train." While these features are ideal for creating a thin watch, they are simply not suited to the Nadal model, which boasts exceptional shock resistance. This is because, as has been the conventional wisdom in the watch industry, thin watches are prone to breakage. However, the Nadal model, which has astonished watchmakers with its unique designs since 2010, has now taken on a thin approach that is unsuitable for a sports watch.

　There's a reason for this. Lightness, thinness, and shock resistance were once thought to be mutually exclusive. However, through the development of the "Nadal Model," Richard Mille concluded that the key to improving shock resistance was to make the watch lighter. In fact, designer Salvador Arbona once said, "If the watch isn't light, it won't pass the Nadal test (which tests shock resistance)." To achieve even lighter weight, the RM 27-05 was designed with a slimmer construction. As a result, it weighs just 11.5g, the lightest of any "Nadal Model." However, simply making the watch lighter doesn't guarantee success. Richard Mille integrated the thinner (i.e., lighter) movement with the case to enhance its rigidity. This concept is reminiscent of the RM 27-03, which integrated the case and movement, but this model is unique in that it uses lighter and more durable materials than ever before.

　For this watch, Richard Mille has adopted the latest version of Carbon TPT®, B.4, for the exterior. Compared to previous versions of Carbon TPT®, this version features fibers that are 15% harder and resin that is 30% more durable. As a result, the robust two-piece case that is a hallmark of the "Nadal model" can now be made thinner (and therefore lighter). In addition, the back has been changed to a solid case, and X-shaped bracing has been added to ensure rigidity.

　The way the movement is fixed is also unique. Previous Nadal models have supported the movement with suspension or wires to increase shock resistance. However, this time the movement is fitted into the case and pressed against the case back with the inner bezel, making it one with the case. Another new feature is the use of diagonal braces and point contact to absorb shock. The light and strong Carbon TPT® B.4 can be said to be a major evolution of the design concept of the Nadal model.

　The RM 27-05, which deliberately chose a thin design, has a shock resistance of an astounding 14,000 g. This is roughly three times that of a typical mechanical watch. What's more, it's durable enough to withstand playing tennis, just like previous models. This model, which achieves unprecedented shock resistance with a thin watch design, is undoubtedly the culmination of the "Nadal model," and in other words, the ultimate Richard Mille. To be honest, I don't think it's possible to create a better "Nadal model" at this point.