Presented this year, the RM 35-02 is the first piece to feature an automatic calibre in the iconic Rafael Nadal collection, the exclusive, contemporary wristwatch series jointly developed by RICHARD MILLE and the Spanish tennis champion.
Since 2008, the name ‘Nadal’ graces a unique collection of Richard Mille watches that are synonymous with innovation, lightness and shock-resistance. Each of the models they have designed together—from the first RM 027 with its carbon nano-tubes case in 2010, to the cable-suspended movement of the RM 27-01, or the most recent iteration, the RM 27-02 with its NTPT Carbon ‘unibody’ base-plate—has embodied a major leap forward in terms of research and development, bearing witness to what could well be described as an entirely new, structural approach to watchmaking.
Like its predecessors, the RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal is the result of a constant quest for innovation within a unique design. Powered by the new RMAL1 calibre, the base plate and bridges wet-sandblasted grade 5 titanium, which has been PVD/Titalyt® treated and stretched to ensure supreme rigidity and impeccably smooth surfaces. Its variable inertia balance wheel oscillates at 28,800 vph, and is driven by a double-barrel system for greater torque stability. Inspired by the RM 35-01, the RM 35-02 emerged in response to a request from many Richard Mille customers for a self-winding mechanism at the heart of a Nadal calibre. The decision to use the brand’s patented variable geometry rotor—a real emblem of Richard Mille’s automatic movements—was an obvious one that makes it possible to adjust the winding to suit the wearer’s activities. In another first for the Nadal collection, the caseback is protected by a sapphire crystal sporting an anti-reflective treatment so that the calibre may be admired from every angle.
The automatic RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal is available in either NTPT Carbon or a daring bright Quartz TPT® Red with white highlights. Its silicon layers—each no thicker than 45 microns—are treated with a red resin that has been specially created for Richard Mille, then layered using an automatic system that changes the direction of the fibres in each layer by 45°. Heated under pressure at 120°C in an autoclave similar to those used for aeronautical components, the material is ready to be worked by ProArt, the manufacturer dedicated to the machining of Richard Mille components and cases.
The natural white quartz fibre, which is left undyed as per watchmaking custom, offers a very high resistance/weight ratio, non-allergenic properties and excellent UV resistance. But the true triumph of the engineers at Richard Mille and North Thin Ply Technology resides in the development of a red resin that draws a stark contrast with the natural white of the quartz and its transparent resin.
Designed for maximum biocompatibility, stability and resistance and compliant with REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) standards, the Quartz-TPT® Red adorning the RM 35-02 can withstand accelerations of up to 5,000 g’s.
Technical details
Model: Automatic Rafael Nadal RM 35-02
Movement
CALIBRE RMAL1: automatic winding skeletonised movement with hours, minutes, seconds.
Base plate Bridges And Balance Cock Made In Grade 5 Titanium: The manufacture of these components in grade 5 titanium with black PVD treatment allows the whole assembly o be given great rigidity, as well as precise surface flatness, essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. The skeletonised base plate and the bridges have been subjected to intensive and complete validation tests in order to optimise their stress resistance
Rotor with Variable Geometry
– Arm in grade 2 titanium
– Flange in grade 5 titanium
– 6-positional adjustment via grade 5 titanium screws
– Ribs in 18k white gold, high palladium content
– Weight segment in white gold
– Ceramic ball bearings
– Unidirectional; anti-clockwise winding direction
This exclusive RICHARDMILLE design allows the rewinding of the mainspring to be adapted most effectively to the user’s activity level with in sports or leisure environments. By adjusting the six positional setting of the rib’s placement, the rotor’s inertia is modified, either speeding up the winding process in the case of minimal arm and hand movements, or slowing it down when intensive activity sports are pursued.
Free Sprung Balance with Variable Inertia: Guarantees greater reliability when subjected to shock and also during movement assembly and disassembly, hence better chronometric results over time. The regulator index has been eliminated, thus guaranteeing a more accurate and repeatable adjustment is possible thanks to 4 small adjustable weights located directly on the balance.
Double Barrel System: The double barrel system contributes to the torque stability over a longer period. This is achieved by dispersing the stored energy within two winding barrels, equalizing torque as well as reducing friction on the bearings and pivots resulting in improved long-term performance.
Spline Screws in Grade 5 Titanium for the Bridges: This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.
Other Features
Dimensions: 30.25×28.45mm
Thickness: 3.15mm
Jewels: 32
Power Reserve: Circa 55 hours(±10%)
Barrel arbor–in AP20 steel
Balance: Glucydur, 2 arms and 4 setting screws, inertia moment 4.8mg.cm2, angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 28’800vph (4Hz)
Balance spring: elinvar
Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
Escapement wheel jewels: Rubifix (transparent)
Stem with two positions: manual winding and time setting
Case
Dimensions
49.94 x 44.50 x 13.15mm
Case Material
Case In NTPT Carbon Or Quartz-TPT ®Red : NTPT Carbon and Quartz-TPT® Red are exclusive material with a unique appearance. Their remarkable surface displays extremely regular undulations, as they are composed of multiple layers of parallel filaments obtained by dividing carbon fiber or silica threads. These layers, with a maximum thickness of 45 microns, are impregnated with resin then woven on a special machine that modifies the direction of the weft by 45° between layers (Quartz-TPT® layers are saturated in a red resin developed specially for Richard Mille). Heated to 120° C at a pressure of 6 bars, these materials are then ready to be processed on a CNC machine in Richard Mille’s ProArt case factory. The case of the RM35-02 is water resistant to 50meters, ensured by two Nitril O-ring seals. The case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade 5 titanium and abrasion resistant washers in 316L stainless steel.
Crown
In NTPT Carbon with O ring seal in Alcryn.
Spline Screws in Grade 5 Titanium for the Case
This permits better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. These screws are therefore unaffected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and age well.
Interior Flanges
Upper flange in black carbon fiber, the hours index points filled with approved luminous material.
Crystal
Bezel side: in sapphire (1,800Vickers)with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.50mm
Backside in sapphire (1,800Vickers)with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.20mm
Finishing
Movement
Base plate wet sand blasted grade 5 titanium, PVD treated and hand-drawn after treatment
Bridges in hand-ground grade 5 titanium, wet sand blasted and Titalyt ® treated
Locking sections hand polished
Burnished pivots
Pinions with undercuts
Sand blasted and rhodium-plating, bevelled wheels (before cutting the teeth)
Minimum corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance
Steel Parts
Screw slot and screw bevelled and polished with rounded and polished tip
Straight line grain finish of the upper surface
Lower surfaces micro-blasted
Hand-polished sinks
