When it comes to ultra-lightweight mechanical sports watches, Richard Mille is the undisputed champion. Since 2010, the brand has collaborated with famous tennis champion Rafael Nadal to create a series of RM 27 Tourbillon watches. Crafted from highly technical materials and capable of surviving tremendous g-forces, the RM 27 watches stand out as some of Richard Mille’s most impressive models, even worn by Nadal during matches as a real-world testament to their functionality. The latest release for 2024, the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, is a “climactic conclusion” to the RM 27 saga, weighing just 11.5 grams and resistant to accelerations in excess of 14,000G, setting dual records for a manual-winding tourbillon wristwatch.
Innovative Case Design
The tonneau-shaped case of the Richard Mille RM 27-05 measures 37.25mm in diameter by 7.2mm thick, with an overall lug-to-lug profile of 47.25mm. It is crafted from Carbon TPT B.4, a new material in Richard Mille’s catalog that improves upon standard Carbon TPT and was initially used in Formula 1 applications. Developed with Swiss partner North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), Carbon TPT B.4 is created by stacking hundreds of layers of parallel carbon filaments oriented at an angle of 70 degrees to optimize their strength-to-weight ratio. This material is 4% denser, with fibers that are 15% stiffer and a binding resin that is 30% more resilient than regular Carbon TPT, allowing for thinner components without sacrificing rigidity.
Monobloc Architecture
Unlike Richard Mille’s usual case architecture, the RM 27-05 features a monobloc design, with the middle case and caseback machined from a single piece of Carbon TPT B.4. The movement is mounted directly into this structure without screws, with the bezel and outer dial flange securing the movement into the lower case. The watch achieves an ultra-lightweight construction of just 11.5 grams (without strap) using PMMA polymer for its crystal and grade 5 titanium for its screws. Water resistance is kept to a minimal 10 meters to protect against incidental contact.
Cutting-Edge Movement
The RM 27-05 is powered by the ultra-thin Caliber RMUP-01, featuring a mainplate and bridges crafted from PVD-treated grade 5 titanium and a V-shaped gear train bridge machined from Carbon TPT. Running at 21,600vph (3 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 55 hours, the RM 27-05 boasts a flying tourbillon on the lower half of its display. The lightweight construction and 2.12mm design of the movement, weighing just 3.79 grams, ensure stability during acceleration forces beyond 14,000G.
Distinctive Design Elements
The RM 27-05 lacks a traditional dial, instead featuring a thin outer flange with hour markers and a minute track. Centrally-mounted hands display the time, while a V-shaped bridge made from Carbon TPT extends across the dial to the 5N PVD-finished flying tourbillon. The skeletonized flying barrel on the upper side of the display also receives a 5N PVD finish, contrasting with the black bridges. The monobloc design mandates a solid back, with the movement components visible through the front side of the watch.
Featherweight with a Hefty Price Tag
Weighing just 11.5 grams (without strap), the RM 27-05 is lighter than three sheets of standard printer paper. Despite its ultra-lightweight construction, the watch carries a hefty price tag of $1,150,000 USD. As the “climactic conclusion” to the RM 27 series, this 80-piece limited edition perfectly encapsulates the collection’s theme with its flying tourbillon and ultra-lightweight construction.