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In 2013, Richard Mille introduced the Tourbillon RM 27-01 watch, designed in collaboration with Rafael Nadal. A distinctive creation, combining ultra-lightweight construction with exceptional durability.
The RM27-01's movement is a major success in mechanical engineering and technological application. It's not just a complex design; it's a structure born from Richard Mille's vision of creating a suspended movement at the heart of the watch. Inspired by the suspended structures in architectural design, Richard Mille aimed to apply those principles to watchmaking. After months of development, Richard Mille's new masterpiece has pioneered a new era for the watch industry.
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The RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal features a base plate connected to the watch case by four steel cables with a diameter of only 0.35mm. This structure combines strength and flexibility to effectively protect the watch movement. To achieve a weight of just 3.5 grams, the manufacturer used grade 5 titanium for both the base plate and the tourbillon cage, and aluminum-lithium for the barrel bridges and gear-trains.
These cables are stretched taut and secured at two points (located at positions 3 and 9) along with pulleys, which serve to create apical points for connection to the four corners of the movement. Each cable is taut and fixed to the pins to lift the movement. In the final step, the watchmaker uses a special tool to tighten and tension the cables at the main pin.
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The assembly and tensioning of the cables is a process requiring masterful skill. Excessive tension can break the cables at any time and damage the mechanism, while insufficient tension may fail to secure the mechanism and affect the watch. Not only is the mechanism designed to hang suspended within the watch, but it also boasts the ability to withstand accelerations of up to 5,000 g.
The RM 27-01 weighs just 19 grams, including the Velcro® strap. This ultra-light weight means the case cannot be made from conventional materials. Carbon is the only material capable of meeting the weight requirements and was chosen to create the RM 27-01's case. The solid back cover has a completely natural anthracite color based on the concentration of carbon nanotubes. The result is excellent impact resistance, while the material's inertness helps prevent common scratches and provides a comfortable feel against the skin. That's why Rafael Nadal has consistently played with the RM 27-01 in recent seasons.
The RM 27-01 watch, made exclusively with carbon nanotubes and a Velcro® strap, is limited to just 50 pieces.
