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What’s on the wrist of Roger Federer? It’s a The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. However, the Swiss professional tennis player doesn’t sport the wristwatch while on the court. Apparently, the wristwatch is too heavy that could distract his concentration while playing tennis. But, that’s not the same for his long standing rival, RAFAEL NADAL. The former World No. 1 Spanish professional tennis player is going to wear a RICHARD MILLE WATCH during his matches. The “King of Clay” himself participated in designing the timepiece as well as tested it in real world conditions.

Made of titanium baseplate with bridges of lithium aluminum, the RM 027 Tourbillon weighs only circa 13 gram (without the strap). Titanium, a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22 is as strong as some steels but 45% lighter; whereas the LITAL® alloy – high lithium containing aluminum, copper, magnesium and zirconium – provides a more flexible and greater shock resistant movement of the RM027 Tourbillon. The weight of the movement is 3.83 g.

Rafael Nadal wears Richard Mille Watch during his matches

The aluminum-lithium alloys have been developed since 1970. They are also applied in aerospace on the Airbus A380, AgustaWestland EH101 helicopter, spacecraft, U.S. Space Shuttle’s external tank as well as in Formula 1, due to the weight advantage they provide. Since lithium is the least dense elemental metal, these advance alloys are significantly less dense than aluminum by 3%. In addition, the Al-Li alloys have more stiffness than aluminum (by 5%), high specific modulus, and excellent fatigue and cryogenic toughness properties.

“When I first produced tourbillons with titanium and ALUSIC cases and carbon baseplates, I was fighting against perceived value. A titanium watch could not be a luxurious timepiece as it did not weigh enough. However mentalities rapidly changed and gradually with time amateurs soon appreciated the extreme lightness of my watches whilst being associated with the best technology,”
said Richard Mille.

The case of the RM 027 SPECIAL EDITION RAFAEL NADAL WATCH is a composite containing large amount of carbon which allows a robust and hard-wearing enclosure for the tourbillon movement at its center. The back bezel and caseband are monobloc that provides full lightness. The anti-glare glass has amazing stiffness and torsional rigidity.

Richard Mille Special Edition “Rafael Nadal” Tourbillon Watch Limited Edition

Produced in limited edition of 50 pieces, The RICHARD MILLE RAFAEL NADAL WATCH is animated by manual winding tourbillon movement caliber RM 027 with hours and minutes. It has power reserve of 48 hours. The tourbillon also includes free-sprung balance, fast rotating barrel, and barrel pawl with progressive recoil. In details, they give advantages as follows:

• The free-sprung balance gives better reliability in the event of shocks, movement assembly and disassembly, and also guarantees better chronometric results over an extended period of time.
• This type of barrel (rotating 6 hours per revolution, faster than the ordinary 7.5) reduces the phenomenon of periodic internal mainspring adhesion. It also provides an outstanding mainspring delta curve with an ideal power reserve/performance and regularity ratio.
• Barrel Pawl with progressive recoil allows a noticeable winding gain (circa 20%), especially during the start of winding. It also supports the balanced distribution of the mainspring’s internal tension.

Other main features on this timepiece also include:

• Spline screws in grade 5 titanium for the bridges and case which allows better control over the torque applied to the screws during assembly. This makes the screws age well.
• Central involute profile of the winding barrel teeth and pinion that provide an optimal pressure angle of 20°. This promotes effective rotary motion and allows for compensation of possible variations in the engagement of the going train, thus insuring excellent torque transmission with a distinct improvement in performance.

Technical Spesification:

• dimensions 48 mm x 39.70 mm x 11.85 mm.
• Movement dimensions: 30.20 x 28.80 mm
• Thickness: 7.00 mm
• Tourbillon diameter: 10.90 mm
• Balance wheel diameter: 9.12 mm
• Number of jewels: 19
• Balance: GLUCYDUR, 2 arms, 4 setting screws
• Inertia moment 11.50 mg.cm2, angle of lift 53º
• Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
• Balance spring: ELINVAR by NIVAROX
• Shock protection: KIF ELASTOR KE 160 B28
• Barrel shaft in nickel-free chronifer (DIN x 46 Cr 13 + S) with the following characteristics: stainless- antimagnetic- suitable for tempering.
• Ger wheels featuring concave chamfering with diamond tool and circular-smoothed faces.

On the next game, we will see Richard Mille Watch on the wrist of Rafael Nadal

Akin to the Richard Mille Felipe Massa Watch that features the image of the F1 driver’s helmet, the RM027 Rafael Nadal Watch also features something related to the sportsman. The inscription “RM027 NADAL” is positioned at 9 o’clock.

Rafael Nadal’s Wristwatch: Richard Mille Special Edition RM027 Tourbillon

The Tourbillon features beadblasted and satin-brushed surfaces with hand-drawn finishing on the upper surface and matt strokes on the underside. Lengthwise hand-drawn strokes are on the flanks with polished sinks and hand-polished bevels.

The Richard Mille RM 027 “Rafael Nadal” Tourbillon Limited Edition is worth US $525,000. 

About Rafael Nadal

Former World No. 1 Spanish Professional tennis player, Rafael “Rafa” Nadal Parera (born 3 June 1986) has won six Grand Slam single titles, the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles, 15 ATP Masters Series tournaments and also was part of the Spain Davis Cup team that won the finals in 2004 and 2009. In 2008, Nadal was given the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports, in recognition of his achievements in tennis. In 2009, he became the first player to simultaneously hold Grand Slam titles on clay, grass and hardcourt. His success on clay has earned him the nickname “The King of Clay“.

Rafael Nadal is the long standing rivalry of Roger Federer. He was ranked World No. 2 behind him for a record 160 weeks before earning the top spot. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the world.

About Richard Mille

Swiss watch brand Richard Mille was founded by Richard Mille in 1999 with factory located in Breuleux, Switzerland. Using state-of-the art materials as well as advanced technology, the Richard Mille watches are sometimes called “the F1 Watch”. Its most famous model is the Tourbillon RM008 (vortex split-seconds chronograph) which combines an engine with manual winding tourbillon, a chronograph with split seconds, an indicator of torque, and power reserve indicator. The series is one of the most sophisticated watches in the world pricing around USD 500,000.

The exclusive brand has been sponsoring Brazilian F1 driver FELIPE MASSA, to whom it dedicates the special edition of RM005 model. Richard Mille is also the sponsor of the Perini Navi Cup in Sardinia and the Le Mans Classic race.

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