Unique collection of “NADAL” RICHARD MILLE
As is now the practice before the Roland-Garros (Roland-Garros) game, this Jura-based company has once again joined forces with the Spanish tennis champion and this year launched the RM 35-02, the first in the movement Equipped with a self-winding movement in the past six years, they have been jointly developing collections.
Since their first meeting in 2008, Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal have embarked on one of the most unusual common adventures in contemporary high watchmaking. Therefore, the name “Nadal” has now become a unique representative of Richard Mille’s watch series, which is synonymous with innovation, lightness and shock resistance. Every model they designed together-from the first RM 027 with a carbon nanotube case in 2010 to the cable suspension movement of the RM 27-01, or the latest iteration, the RM 27- with NTPT Carbon 02 The “one-piece” base plate is a major leap in the field of research and development, and it has witnessed a brand-new structural approach in the watch industry.
Like its predecessor products, RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal (Rafael Nadal) condenses the results of continuous search for unique design innovation. Powered by the new RMAL1 movement, the wet sandblasted grade 5 titanium alloy bottom plate and bridge plate are treated with PVD /Titalyt® and stretched to ensure the highest rigidity and impeccably smooth surface. Its variable inertia balance oscillates at a speed of 28,800 vph and is driven by a dual barrel system to improve torque stability.
Inspired by the RM 35-01, the RM 35-02 appeared at the request of many Richard Mille customers who required the heart of the Nadal movement to have an automatic winding device. The real mark of Richard Mille’s automatic movement is the decision to use the brand’s patented variable geometry rotor. This obvious decision makes it possible to adjust the clockwork according to the wearer’s activity. In another initiative of the Nadal series, the back cover is made of sapphire crystal glass for anti-reflection treatment, so the caliber can be appreciated from all angles.
The RM 35-02 Rafael Nadal automatic machine gun can be made of NTPT carbon fiber or bold and bright Quartz-TPT®Red (with white highlights). The silicon layer (each layer does not exceed 45 microns) is treated with a red resin specially created for Richard Mille, and then layered using an automatic system that can change the direction of each layer of fiber by 45°. The material is heated at a pressure of 120°C in an autoclave similar to that used for aerospace parts. The material is ready to be processed by ProArt, a manufacturer dedicated to the machining of fake Richard Mille parts and housings.
Natural white quartz fiber does not need to be dyed according to watchmaking habits, has a high resistance/weight ratio, non-allergic properties and excellent UV resistance. However, the real victory for Richard Mille and North Thin Ply Technology’s engineers lies in the development of red resin, which contrasts sharply with the natural white color of quartz and its transparent resin.
Quartz-TPT®Red is decorated with RM 35-02, designed to achieve maximum biocompatibility, stability and resistance, and meets REACH (Chemical Registration, Evaluation and Authorization) standards, and can withstand accelerations of up to 5,000 g’s.
RICHARD MILLE AUTOMATIC RM 35-02 RAFAEL NADAL
Calibre RMAL1 : Automatic winding skeletonised movement with hours, minutes, seconds.
Dimensions :49.94 x 44.50 x 13.15 mm.
MAIN FEATURES
Power reserve: Circa 55 hours (±10%).
Baseplate, 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 to be given great rigidity, as well as precise surface flatness, essential for the perfect functioning of the gear train. The skeletonised baseplate 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 RICHARD MILLE design allows the rewinding of the mainspring to be adapted most effectively to the user’s activity level within 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
Mouvement dimensions: 30.25 x 28.45 mm
Thickness: 3.15 mm
Jewels: 32
Barrel arbor– in AP 20 steel
Balance: Glucydur, 2 arms and 4 setting screws, inertia moment 4.8 mg.cm², angle of lift 53°
Frequency: 28’800 vph (4 Hz)
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 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 RM 35-02 is water resistant to 50 meters, 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 (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.50 mm
Back side: in sapphire (1,800 Vickers) with anti-glare treatment (both sides)
Thickness: 1.20 mm
FINISHING
Movement
Baseplate wet sandblasted grade 5 titanium, PVD treated and hand-drawn after treatment
Bridges in hand-ground grade 5 titanium, wet sandblasted and Titalyt® treated
Locking sections hand polished
Burnished pivots
Pinions with undercuts
Sandblasted and rhodium-plating, beveled wheels (before cutting the teeth)
Minimum corrections applied to the wheels in order to preserve geometry and performance
Steel parts
Screw slot and screw beveled and polished with rounded and polished tip
Straight line grain finish of the upper surface
Lower surfaces microblasted
Hand-polished sinks