When it comes to ultra-light mechanical sports watches, Richard Mille is the undisputed champion.
Since 2010, the brand has created the RM 27 Tourbillon series in collaboration with the famous tennis champion Rafael Nadal. The RM 27 watches, made from high-tech materials and able to withstand massive g-forces, are among the most impressive models from Richard Mille, and Nadal even wears them during matches, providing real proof of their functionality. For its latest 2024 release, Richard Mille has unveiled what it calls the “culminating conclusion” of the RM 27 saga. The new Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal weighs only 11.5 grams and withstands accelerations exceeding 14,000G - a double record for hand-wound tourbillon wristwatches.
The case of the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, with a diameter of 37.25 mm and a thickness of 7.2 mm, and an overall profile from lug to lug of 47.25 mm, is made from Carbon TPT B.4 - a new material in Richard Mille's catalog, enhancing the standard Carbon TPT and initially used in Formula 1. Developed in collaboration with Richard Mille's Swiss partner North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), Carbon TPT B.4 is created by stacking hundreds of layers of parallel carbon fibers, oriented at a 70-degree angle to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio. A new high-performance resin impregnates the fibers, which are then heated under pressure to form a solid block.
Compared to regular Carbon TPT, this enhanced version is 4% denser, the fibers are 15% stiffer, and the binding resin is 30% more elastic. These improved characteristics allow Richard Mille to craft thinner parts from Carbon TPT B.4 without compromising their rigidity.
Instead of following the brand's usual case architecture, where the case band is equipped with a bezel and a case back, the new Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal features a monobloc construction, where the case band and case back are made from a single piece of Carbon TPT B.4. The movement is mounted directly into this construction without screws, meaning the bezel and flange of the outer dial hold the movement in the lower case by pressing down on it from above.
To help the new RM 27-05 achieve an ultra-lightweight construction weighing only 11.5 grams (without strap), its crystal is made from PMMA polymer with a scratch-resistant coating, and the movement and case screws are made from Grade 5 titanium, while the model's water resistance is minimized to just 10 meters for protection against accidental contact.
The movement of the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is based on the ultra-thin caliber RMUP-01, with its baseplate and bridges made from Grade 5 titanium with PVD coating, and the V-shaped transmission bridge made from Carbon TPT alloy. The RM 27-05 model, with a frequency of 21,600 vph (3 Hz) and a power reserve of approximately 55 hours, features a floating tourbillon in the lower half of the dial, and the winding barrel located opposite it at the top of the dial also has a floating construction, where it is secured only on one side, allowing for a thinner overall profile.
Thanks to the lightweight materials used in its construction and the ultra-thin 2.12-millimeter case, the weight of the RM 27-05 movement is only 3.79 grams, and its “floating” tourbillon has undergone extensive testing to ensure it remains stable at accelerations exceeding 14,000G.
Like many other Richard Mille watches, the new RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal lacks a dial, except for a thin outer flange with hour markers and a minute track. A pair of centrally located hands indicate the time, and a V-shaped bridge made from Carbon TPT spans the entire dial, anchoring the floating tourbillon with 5N PVD coating.
The skeletonized floating tourbillon, visible at the top of the display, also has a 5N PVD coating to match the tourbillon and stand out against the black color of the bridges. Although most Richard Mille watches today feature display case backs, the monobloc construction of the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon means there is a solid case back, and while the movement components are fully displayed through the front of the watch, the reverse side simply showcases the woven layers of Carbon TPT B.4 material.
Although the official weight of the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal does not include the elastic textile strap, 11.5 grams is still ridiculously light for a mechanical watch with a floating tourbillon. By comparison, the RM 27-05 weighs less than three sheets of standard printer paper, and even when factoring in the fabric strap, the entire watch still promises to provide a truly feather-light feel on the wrist. Despite being the lightest watch ever presented by the brand, the new Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal comes with a rather hefty price tag: it costs 1,150,000 USD.
Given that Richard Mille calls its new RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon the “culminating conclusion” of the popular series, it can be assumed that this limited edition of 80 pieces will be the final watch of the partnership, and it perfectly reflects the theme of the collection with its floating tourbillon and ultra-lightweight construction.
More detailed information about the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal can be found on the brand's website.