Introducing the Richard Mille RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal

Richard Mille's latest ultra-light wristwatch for tennis champ Rafa has a carbon composite case and new in-house movement.

In the eight years since Richard Mille recruited Spanish tennis champion Rafael Nadal as a brand ambassador, the Swiss watchmaker has conceived a string of ultra-light wristwatches for Rafa to wear on court. A year after the US$775,000 RM 27-02 Tourbillon, Richard Mille has announced the RM 35-02.

Like many other Richard Mille watches, the case of the RM 35-02 is made of a high-tech carbon composite – either black NTPT Carbon or Quartz-TPT Red. Made by Swiss materials specialist North Thin Ply Technologies (NTPT), these composites have a distinctive striped surface that’s a result of the layered sheets of carbon inside. Because the blocks of material are machined against the grain, the result is the striking motif on the case.

Richard Mille RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal Red Quartz TPT 3

The case is a largish 49.94mm from top to bottom, and 44.5mm wide. Thickness is 13.15mm. Inside is the calibre RMAL1, a self-winding movement made by Vaucher.

Its bridges and base plate are made of titanium, coated in black and partially open-worked, in typical Richard Mille style. In terms of technical features, the calibre has double barrels (power reserve 55 hours), a free-sprung balance wheel, as well as a rotor with variable winding efficiency (to cater for the wearer’s physical activity; Rafa presumably needs the lowest setting).

Richard Mille RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal Red Quartz TPT 2

The RM 35-02 is priced at approximately US$145,000 or S$200,000.

Correction June 4, 2016: Edited to state movement is made by Vaucher.

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