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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-light weight with extreme durability.
The RM27-01 movement is a triumph of engineering and technology. It is not just a matter of complexity, but a structure that is born from Richard Mille’s vision of creating a suspended movement at the heart of a watch. Inspired by the suspended structures of architectural design, Richard Mille wanted to translate these principles into the watchmaking field. After months of development, Richard Mille’s new masterpiece has pioneered a new step forward for the watch industry.
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The RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal is equipped with a base plate connected to the watch case by four steel cables measuring just 0.35mm in diameter. This structure combines strength and flexibility to do its job of protecting 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 and pinned at 2 points (located at position 3 and number 9) with pulleys, which serve as apex points to connect to the 4 corners of the machine. Each cable is stretched and fixed with pins to be able to lift the machine. In the final stage, the watchmaker uses a special tool to tighten and tension the cables at the main pin.
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Attaching and tensioning the cables is a delicate process. Too much tension can break the cables and damage the movement, while too little tension can cause the movement to become unstable and cause damage to the watch. Not only is the movement designed to hang in the watch, it is also capable of withstanding accelerations of up to 5,000 g.
The RM 27-01 weighs just 19 grams, including the Velcro® strap. This ultra-lightweight means that the case could not be crafted from conventional materials. Carbon was the only material capable of satisfying the weight requirements and was chosen to create the RM 27-01 case. The caseback is a completely natural anthracite colour, based on the condensation of carbon nanotubes. The result is excellent impact resistance, while the material's inertness makes it resistant to common scratches and comfortable to the skin. This is why Rafeal Nadal has been playing with the RM 27-01 in recent seasons.
The RM 27-01 watch, with the unique material carbon nanotubes and Velcro® strap, and a limited edition of only 50 pieces.
