The Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal weighs just 11.5g and is shock-resistant to 14,000g.

In 2010, the RM 027 Tourbillon was born as a response to a challenge. It was the beginning of an exciting adventure in the quest for incredible lightness and maximum performance. Now, with the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, this Richard Mille story reaches its climax. With a weight of just 11.5g and a shock resistance of 14,000g, it sets two records for a manual-winding tourbillon.

The final collaboration model with Rafael Nadal

　The RM 27-05 project was driven by a clear quest to reduce weight, resulting in astonishing technical data. The movement, equipped with a 55-hour power reserve and a flying tourbillon with a 3 Hz frequency, features a skeletonized PVD-coated titanium baseplate, fully hand-finished even in its hidden areas. The bridges are also made of grade 5 titanium and Carbon TPT®, further reducing the weight. The caliber is 3.75 mm thick and weighs just 3.79 g.

"RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal"

　4000 hours were spent designing the caliber and case. Richard Mille's engineers spared no time when creating the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal. This model has no screws securing the movement to the case. The entire mechanism is contained within a monocoque baseplate and middle scale, on top of which the inner bezel and bezel are positioned. The entire assembly presses down on the caliber, keeping it firmly in place.

There are no screws securing the movement to the case

　The key advantage of this model lies in the properties of Carbon TPT® B.4, a new composite material developed over five years with Swiss partner North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT™). Carbon TPT® B.4 is an optimized anisotropic material that allows for thinner cases. Compared to conventional Carbon TPT®, the new composite is 4% denser, 15% stiffer, and 30% stiffer. This allows for a reduction in overall weight without sacrificing rigidity.

New composite material: Carbon TPT® B.4

　For optimal strength, Carbon TPT® B.4 is woven with a specific 70° angle between layers. This material ensures optimal proportions, weight, performance, and rigidity for the watch's structure. The Carbon TPT® B.4 weave also allows for the creation of an X-shaped ridge on the caseback, which houses the movement. Comprehensive simulations, including the case, determined that the caliber has six support points positioned 0.05 mm from the caseback, contributing to the watch's rigidity. This X-pattern is visually reflected throughout the case, ensuring that the bezel, inner bezel, and monocoque baseplate maintain their characteristics under any conditions.

Baseplate and bridges in grade 5 titanium and Carbon TPT®

　The baseplate and bridges are crafted from microblasted and PVD-treated grade 5 titanium. This biocompatible, corrosion-resistant and extremely rigid alloy ensures the smooth functioning of the gear train. The alloy is 90% grade 5 titanium, 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. This combination gives the material excellent mechanical properties, leading to its frequent use in aerospace, aeronautical engineering and the automotive industry.

Cal.RM 27-05

　The use of titanium and Carbon TPT® in the caliber provides excellent rigidity, along with the completely flat surfaces essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. With a total weight of just 3.79 grams, the ultra-thin and ultra-light caliber was subjected to extensive individual validation tests to meet strict optimum strength requirements. The technically superior design of the Caliber RM 27-05 proves its unparalleled durability, easily withstanding impacts of over 14,000g.

Winding-barrel gear and third-wheel pinion with central involute teeth

　The central involute teeth of the winding barrel and pinion form an optimal pressure angle of 20°, which improves rotational efficiency and prevents deviations in the meshing of the gear train teeth, resulting in stable torque transmission and significantly improved precision.

Finishing

　The caliber's surface and hidden back are entirely hand-finished: the involute profile gears are micro-blasted, polished and circular-finished, demonstrating the brand's desire to create movements that are both mechanically and aesthetically pleasing.

11.5 grams of perfect toughness

　The sophistication of the RM 27-05 is the result of a highly skilled collaboration between the movement and casing departments. The caliber is attached without screws, by means of posts machined directly into the caseback. This support ensures that the bezel and inner bezel are firmly attached to the caseback. The movement and case mutually enhance each other's strength.

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　It seems that no Richard Mille watch has ever been subjected to such rigorous validation tests before being worn by Rafael Nadal. After subjecting the watch to various graded shocks of up to 5000g, tomography of the watch was used to simulate the damage in 3D, ensuring the RM 27-05's true performance. This is a testament to the collaboration between cutting-edge technology, expertise and the demands of high-level sport.