SYMPHONY OF FORM AND FUNCTION

The RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal is a testament to Richard Mille's commitment to innovative design and athletic elegance.. Photos: Richard Mille

Proudly bearing the name of one of the greatest tennis players of all time, the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal is a horological marvel with a playful and practical spirit.

Inspired by the tourbillon watches that Nadal wears on the tennis court, the "baby Nadal" collection is designed as a condensate of technology for anyone in thrall to performance.

Two new colours are introduced in the "baby Nadal" collection, which symbolises Richard Mille’s commitment to innovative design and athletic elegance.

The RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal is a testament to Richard Mille's commitment to innovative design and athletic elegance.. Photos: Richard Mille

The two new watches in Salmon Quartz TPT and Pastel Blue Quartz TPT in the series not only honour the brand’s deep connection with the legendary tennis star but also retain the brand’s patented innovation: the "butterfly rotor".

It allows the wearer to interact directly with the watch, controlling the winding of the movement to suit their lifestyle.

A new chapter in interactive horology

After three years of development, the butterfly rotor allows the watch to be actively controlled by its owner, transforming it from a passive object into an interactive companion.

While the Calibre RMAL1 of the RM 35-02 already possessed a variable geometry rotor – a signature component of Richard Mille automatic movements – the butterfly rotor of the RM 35-03 allows the wearer to directly interact with the rotor’s geometry, controlling the movement’s winding speed based on lifestyle and activity levels, for a complication that is playful and practical in equal measure.

The Pastel Blue Quartz TPT version of the watch.

With a simple press of a push-piece, the wearer can activate a "sports mode" that changes the rotor's geometry, feeling the subtle haptic feedback as it adjusts on the wrist.

This unique feature empowers the wearer to manage the watch's winding based on their personal activity, creating an intimate, almost symbiotic relationship with their timepiece.

"Previously, any modification of the rotor’s geometry needed to be done by one of our licensed watchmakers. We have perfected this system and given wearers the possibility of directly acting on the watch’s winding speed," said the brand's Technical Director for Movements Salvador Arbona. "It’s like a driver being able to adjust the transmission style from city use to racetrack by activating the sports mode."

The butterfly rotor consists of two grade 5 titanium arms mounted with heavy metal weight segments, activated by a separate gear train via a dedicated push-piece.

In their initial position, the weight segments create a radial displacement of the gravitational centre outward, converting the wearer’s every movement into the torque needed to rewind the barrel.

Press the push-piece at 7 o’clock, however, and the rotor’s gears spread the two weights to a 180° angle.

The gravitational centre is aligned and the rotor returns to a balanced position, suspending the winding process and thereby preventing excessive winding of the movement.

In shifting between the normal mode that winds the barrel spring to the "sports mode" that suspends the rotor’s activity, pressure on the push-piece prompts the function to deliver haptic feedback, allowing the wearer to actually feel the weight segments springing apart on their wrist.

Showing whether the oscillating weight is active (ON) or not (OFF) is a winding indicator at 6 o’clock on the dial.

A function selector rounds off the movement commands: at a press of the push-piece at 2 o’clock, the user may shift between winding (W), neutral (N) and time-setting (H) activities.

Athletic and ergonomic lines

A visual masterpiece, the RM 35-03, now available in Salmon Quartz TPT (with a caseband in blue Quartz TPT) and in Pastel Blue Quartz TPT (with a caseband in dark blue Quartz TPT), it features intricate cut-outs inspired by the iconic RM 27-04 Tourbillon.

The skeletonised movement, visible through the sapphire crystals, reveals the heart of the timepiece, with hands sweeping along a microblasted grade 5 titanium flange. From the elegant exterior to the bold, dynamic lines, every element is designed to visually highlight the watch's technical prowess while exuding a distinct, high-performance style.

The baseplate and bridges, crafted of grade 5 titanium with a grey electroplasma and PVD treatment, further accentuate the bold visual statement of this watch.

After three years of development, the butterfly rotor allows the watch to be actively controlled by its owner.

The openwork hands sweep along the outer flange, also in microblasted grade 5 titanium, punctuated with the numbers 3, 6, 9 and 12 and slanted inward towards the movement to enhance depth.

This elegant exterior visually highlights the technical prowess of the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal.

The man, the legend

The Majorcan player with 20 Grand Slam titles to his name is by nature discreet in his private life.

Apart from his fighting spirit on the court, Nadal's endeavours off the court include commitments to his foundation and his strong attachment to his family.

An uncompromising warrior, he nonetheless commands respect for his fair play and the esteem of his peers.

"I don’t know if it’s because I’m Majorcan, but I have a certain inner peace, and outside of sport I’m a quiet individual," Nadal is quoted in a press book from the brand.

"Majorca is my home. It’s where I was born, where I have my family and friends, where I live. So, for me it remains the most special place on the planet. All my childhood memories are from there too. It’s the only place in the world where I feel truly at peace, where I can find peace and be with my family," said Nadal.

A horological marvel, the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal has a playful and practical spirit.

"It’s also the place where olives and bread, two of my favourite foods, taste the best!"

His uncle Toni Nadal, the man behind the legend, was his coach throughout 27 years of triumphant victories.

This family circle includes his parents, Ana Maria and Sebastian, his sister (and first supporter) María Isabel, and his childhood sweetheart, Maria Francisca Perello, who became his wife in 2019.

His partnerships are long-standing, such as the relationship of trust he has maintained with Richard Mille for more than 10 years now.

"In our respective domains, we both seek to achieve excellence. We speak the same language, Richard and I. We’re both passionate about our work. Keeping alive this flame of passion for what we do each day is essential to me. It is heart-warming to feel the confidence that he and the teams show in allowing me to participate in this singular adventure," shared Nadal in a press release.

In 2007 the tennis player and his family launched the Rafa Nadal Foundation, of which Richard Mille has been an official partner since 2013, which helps underprivileged children and teenagers facing the risk of social exclusion.

In 2020, more than 800 children from three continents (Europe, Asia and America) benefited from its academic, sports or social and educational support.

"My family has always stayed close, they’ve always supported me and I’m aware of how lucky I’ve been," said Nadal. "But that’s not true for everyone. For me, it’s important to give something back, to be an example for young people and for society in general."

Separately, the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar opened its doors in 2016 in Manacor.

At this tennis academy, effort, humility, respect, integrity, discipline and commitment are at the heart of the teaching dispensed by no less than Toni Nadal and the entire technical team that brought the Spanish champion to the very top of the professional circuit.

Every year, the institution welcomes around 100 players aged between 10 and 18 years old — adult courses are also offered.