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Lot Essay
The importance and significance of this prototype RM027 Rafael Nadal is quite simply mind-blowing. The design, construction and the use of new materials makes the RM027 RN one of Richard Mille’s seminal models in the pursuit of an ever more lightweight yet shock-resistant timepiece. Furthermore, this particular watch, one of the prototypes used in the testing of the RM027 before the production of the limited edition of 50 pieces, has been specially engraved on the caseback with the name of the first and present owner.
Richard Mille’s RM027 Tourbillon was made specifically for Rafa Nadal who called the watch his “second skin”. Indeed, it is hard to convey how phenomenally lightweight this watch is, weighing under 20 grams including the strap, the movement itself only weighing an incredible 3.83 grams. Nadal tested the RM027 in real world conditions and wore it during tennis matches including Roland Garros and Wimbledon where it was subjected to the most extreme movements and shocks expected during top level tennis matches, after which the watch remained unaffected. Furthermore, the lightness of the model allowed absolute freedom of movement for Nadal without any distraction. The prototype watch worn by Rafael Nadal was donated by Richard Mille and auctioned in Monaco on 22nd September 2011, as part of the fourth ‘Only Watch’ charity auction in support of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
The RM027 has been described by some observers as “beyond luxury”. This statement refers to the similarity in ethos and construction between the RM027 and some Ferrari car models such as the Ferrari F40 and F50, when the concept of extreme luxury means something entirely different. The luxury of the RM027 is in the connoisseur’s appreciation of the amazing technical and manufacturing know-how necessary to have made such a lightweight watch a reality. This concept also applies to the pared down yet visually striking design aesthetic whereby the movement appears to be simply suspended in the two-part case in the same way that a Ferrari engine is placed into the chassis, without any extraneous frills or unnecessary detailing.
The Movement
Weighing an extraordinary tiny 3.83 grams, the tourbillon movement has a baseplate made from titanium and LITAL® alloy, a high lithium content alloy containing aluminum, copper, magnesium and zirconium, possessing a density of 2.55. This alloy has the addition of lithium, one of the lightest elements, which provides greater strength without adding unnecessary weight. This origin of this alloy was the aerospace industry where it was used in the construction of the airplanes including the Airbus A380, helicopters, rockets and satellites, and of course, F1 racing cars.
The Case Made of a carbon composite which is both extremely light and at the same time extremely tough and hardwearing. The construction is monobloc for the back and body to eliminate unnecessary components, the crystal, bezel and flange also made in carbon have remarkable properties of rigidity even under the most extreme situations.
A Brief History of Richard Mille’s Ultra-Lightweight Watches
In 2004, the RM006 Felipe Massa Tourbillon was introduced, which weighed just 48 grams (excluding the strap). The following year, the brand repeated this triumph with the RM009 Felipe Massa Tourbillon, which set a then world record of 28 grams (excluding the strap). In 2010, that record was broken by the 20 gram RM027 Rafael Nadal (strap included). The movement made from titanium and LITAL. In 2013, the record was broken yet again by the manually wound RM27-01 Rafael Nadal Tourbillon which pushed the concepts of lightness and resistance to the extreme. Developed with the tennis phenomenon, the watch weighs just 18.83 grams (strap included) and holds the record for the lightest tourbillon ever made due to its lithium aluminium movement and carbon nanotube case. In 2017, at the Salon international de la haute horlogerie (SIHH), Richard Mille presented the RM 50-03 McLaren F1, the world's lightest flyback chronograph weighing just 38 grams (strap included).
Richard Mille’s RM027 Tourbillon was made specifically for Rafa Nadal who called the watch his “second skin”. Indeed, it is hard to convey how phenomenally lightweight this watch is, weighing under 20 grams including the strap, the movement itself only weighing an incredible 3.83 grams. Nadal tested the RM027 in real world conditions and wore it during tennis matches including Roland Garros and Wimbledon where it was subjected to the most extreme movements and shocks expected during top level tennis matches, after which the watch remained unaffected. Furthermore, the lightness of the model allowed absolute freedom of movement for Nadal without any distraction. The prototype watch worn by Rafael Nadal was donated by Richard Mille and auctioned in Monaco on 22nd September 2011, as part of the fourth ‘Only Watch’ charity auction in support of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
The RM027 has been described by some observers as “beyond luxury”. This statement refers to the similarity in ethos and construction between the RM027 and some Ferrari car models such as the Ferrari F40 and F50, when the concept of extreme luxury means something entirely different. The luxury of the RM027 is in the connoisseur’s appreciation of the amazing technical and manufacturing know-how necessary to have made such a lightweight watch a reality. This concept also applies to the pared down yet visually striking design aesthetic whereby the movement appears to be simply suspended in the two-part case in the same way that a Ferrari engine is placed into the chassis, without any extraneous frills or unnecessary detailing.
The Movement
Weighing an extraordinary tiny 3.83 grams, the tourbillon movement has a baseplate made from titanium and LITAL® alloy, a high lithium content alloy containing aluminum, copper, magnesium and zirconium, possessing a density of 2.55. This alloy has the addition of lithium, one of the lightest elements, which provides greater strength without adding unnecessary weight. This origin of this alloy was the aerospace industry where it was used in the construction of the airplanes including the Airbus A380, helicopters, rockets and satellites, and of course, F1 racing cars.
The Case Made of a carbon composite which is both extremely light and at the same time extremely tough and hardwearing. The construction is monobloc for the back and body to eliminate unnecessary components, the crystal, bezel and flange also made in carbon have remarkable properties of rigidity even under the most extreme situations.
A Brief History of Richard Mille’s Ultra-Lightweight Watches
In 2004, the RM006 Felipe Massa Tourbillon was introduced, which weighed just 48 grams (excluding the strap). The following year, the brand repeated this triumph with the RM009 Felipe Massa Tourbillon, which set a then world record of 28 grams (excluding the strap). In 2010, that record was broken by the 20 gram RM027 Rafael Nadal (strap included). The movement made from titanium and LITAL. In 2013, the record was broken yet again by the manually wound RM27-01 Rafael Nadal Tourbillon which pushed the concepts of lightness and resistance to the extreme. Developed with the tennis phenomenon, the watch weighs just 18.83 grams (strap included) and holds the record for the lightest tourbillon ever made due to its lithium aluminium movement and carbon nanotube case. In 2017, at the Salon international de la haute horlogerie (SIHH), Richard Mille presented the RM 50-03 McLaren F1, the world's lightest flyback chronograph weighing just 38 grams (strap included).