Timepieces that Will Last Forever #13: Richard Mille Automatic Rafael Nadal

Richard Mille continues to bring innovation to the watch industry with its unique design philosophy. One of its most iconic examples is the new signature model, named after Rafael Nadal, a member of the Richard Mille family, and equipped with a butterfly rotor, an innovative system that writes a new page in the history of automatic movements.

The culmination of a timepiece bearing the name of a champion. The ideal form of a mechanical watch that achieves oneness with the wearer.

　When Richard Mille debuted in 2001, its first family member was Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa. In 08, the second family member was Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal. When signing the contract, Nadal declared that he would not wear a watch during matches, but Richard Mille persuaded him, saying, "If you're going to work with me, it's an absolute requirement that you wear a watch during matches," and began developing a new model.

　Thus, the RM 027 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal was completed in 09. The following year, Nadal wore this model to win the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, and a new legend was born.

　More than 10 years after this achievement, in 23, Richard Mille added a new model to its "Baby Nadal" collection, inspired by the tourbillon watch worn by Nadal during matches: the RM35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal.

　This model is equipped with a patented, innovative mechanism called the Butterfly Rotor. The Caliber RM35-02 Automatic Rafael Nadal, which served as the basis for the watch, was the RMA1, which featured a variable-geometry rotor developed in-house by Richard Mille. However, this system required the work of a specialized watchmaker licensed by Richard Mille to modify the rotor's inertia.

　However, the butterfly rotor used in the RMAL2 caliber fitted to the RM35-03 allows the user to change the rotor's inertia simply by pressing a button, allowing them to control the winding of the mainspring according to their lifestyle and activity level.

　The butterfly rotor consists of two grade 5 titanium arms fitted with heavy metal weight segments. In normal mode, these weight segments are adjacent, shifting the center of gravity to the outside. This ensures efficient winding of the barrel's mainspring. However, by pressing the pusher at 7 o'clock, the watch switches to sport mode, in which the weight segments unfold like butterfly wings, shifting the center of gravity to the center. This suppresses the rotor's rotation and prevents overwinding. The user can check the rotor's operating status with the on/off indicator at 6 o'clock. Richard Mille spent a full three years developing this groundbreaking system.

　Also at the 2 o'clock position on the case is a function selector button, also unique to Richard Mille, which allows you to switch between the winding (W), neutral (N), and time-setting (H) functions.

　This revolutionary automatic movement is protected by a lightweight yet strong case crafted from Richard Mille's exclusive Carbon TPT. Carbon fiber up to 45 microns thick is impregnated with resin, stacked with each layer offset by 45 degrees, and then heat-treated at 120°C under a pressure of 6 bar. The material is then machined using computer-controlled CNC machines in the company's case factory. This special manufacturing process allows the bezel surface to be carved from the multi-layered carbon fiber, revealing a unique woodgrain pattern that lends each watch its rich individuality.

　The iconic tonneau-shaped case, inherited from the first Richard Mille model, the RM 001 Tourbillon, is crafted from cutting-edge materials and features an innovative mechanism. As can be seen in the RM35-03, this sophisticated fusion of these elements is what defines Richard Mille's signature style, and as it continues to evolve, it is sure to surprise future users and enthusiasts.