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Lot Essay
In 2017, the remarkable long-term collaboration between Richard Mille and tennis phenomenon Rafael Nadal resulted in the creation of an awesome ultra-lightweight tourbillon - the RM27-03. A limited edition of 50 pieces, the RM27-03 ‘Rafael Nadal’ is presented in red and yellow quartz TPT, representing Nadal’s Spanish homeland. In further tribute, the titanium upper skeletonised bridge bears a resemblance to the front profile of the bull, the national animal of Spain, and Nadal’s nickname. Subjected to the most extreme ‘real world’ shock testing, a prototype was worn by Nadal during the tennis season, the movement is able to stand forces of up to an incredible 10,000 Gs - a first in watchmaking. Richard Mille regards the RM27 ‘Rafael Nadal’ series as one of the most groundbreaking and defining of all. Absolutely state-of-the-art technology was used to manufacture these astonishing timepieces. The present RM27-03, number 01 of the reference and the property of the original owner, can be regarded as unique among them and is one of the most important individual watches of the model. The back of the case is specially engraved “LOVE IS THE ANSWER” and the strap is black elastic rather than the usual yellow strap.
The construction of the RM27-03 is fascinating and like its predecessor the RM27-02, it was inspired by the chassis of Formula 1 racing cars. Featuring a skeletonized baseplate that is integral to the case band, christened the ‘unibody’, it is made from NTPT carbon which gives the watch an exceptional rigidity and shock resistance, a robustness that is unprecedented in a wristwatch. First used in Richard Mille’s RM27-02, TPT or ‘thin ply technology’ quartz, is a material of unparalleled great strength and incredible lightness, composed of hundreds of layers of quartz interspersed with layers of NTPT carbon, the layers are fused together at 120 degrees Celsius to form a case that is almost indestructible. It is also resistant to extremes of temperature and magnetism, the case and equally state-of-the-art movement work as a single entity – a near perfect sports watch.
Rafael Nadal
The Spanish professional tennis player is currently ranked world No. 3 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He was ranked world No. 1 for 209 weeks, and has finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. Nadal has won an all-time record 22 Grand Slam men's singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles. He has won 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 Masters titles. Nadal is one of only two men to complete the Career Golden Slam in singles. For over a decade, Nadal has dominated men's tennis along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the Big Three, collectively considered by some to be the three most successful male tennis players of all time.
The construction of the RM27-03 is fascinating and like its predecessor the RM27-02, it was inspired by the chassis of Formula 1 racing cars. Featuring a skeletonized baseplate that is integral to the case band, christened the ‘unibody’, it is made from NTPT carbon which gives the watch an exceptional rigidity and shock resistance, a robustness that is unprecedented in a wristwatch. First used in Richard Mille’s RM27-02, TPT or ‘thin ply technology’ quartz, is a material of unparalleled great strength and incredible lightness, composed of hundreds of layers of quartz interspersed with layers of NTPT carbon, the layers are fused together at 120 degrees Celsius to form a case that is almost indestructible. It is also resistant to extremes of temperature and magnetism, the case and equally state-of-the-art movement work as a single entity – a near perfect sports watch.
Rafael Nadal
The Spanish professional tennis player is currently ranked world No. 3 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He was ranked world No. 1 for 209 weeks, and has finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. Nadal has won an all-time record 22 Grand Slam men's singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles. He has won 92 ATP singles titles, including 36 Masters titles. Nadal is one of only two men to complete the Career Golden Slam in singles. For over a decade, Nadal has dominated men's tennis along with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as the Big Three, collectively considered by some to be the three most successful male tennis players of all time.