[Updated on 15th September 2017]
In comparison to its predecessors, the mere sight of the strikingly sporty new Richard Mille RM 27-03 – accentuated with a flow of red and yellow – immediately calls to mind the Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal.
Achieving the intense shades of its Quartz TPT case with REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) standards, without compromising biocompatibility and durability, represents tremendous prowess on the part of the engineers at Richard Mille and North Thin Ply Technology. And once the composite is made, there remain countless hours of milling and finishing to produce the case and components.
And once the composite is made, there remain countless hours of milling and finishing to produce the case and components.
THE SPECIFICATIONS
There is more to this watch than meets the eye though. Asides from the super-strong yet lightweight, anallergic and UV-resistant quartz fibres used in the case, the main innovation of the RM 27-03 lies in the capacity to its tourbillon calibre to withstand a staggering 10,000 G-Force units. We love the watch for two reasons: 1. The virtual indestructibility that it has attained through countless hours of R&D and testing – particularly pendulum impact testing – which simulates the linear acceleration from sudden movement, and 2. The assembly of the ultralight tourbillon calibre placed on the skeletonised unibody
We love the watch for two reasons: 1. The virtual indestructibility that it has attained through countless hours of R&D and testing – particularly pendulum impact testing – which simulates the linear acceleration from sudden movement.
And 2. The assembly of the ultralight tourbillon calibre placed on the skeletonised unibody base plate of Carbon TPT with an accuracy of the nearest micron, while the winding barrel provides 70 hours of running time.
THE AESTHETICS
Moreover, the finishing of the RM 27-03 calibre flaunts hand-polished tapered chamfer and graceful satin surfaces that radiates sparkles of finely microblasted elements.
Exhibiting an impressive play on volumes, the sharp, streamlined curves of the skeletonised bridges encircling the barrel, the great wheel and the mechanical winding tourbillon beating at 3 Hz together evoke the forward-facing head of a bull – another subtle reference to Spain.
As a playful nod to the sport, the torque-limiting crown for winding is in the shape of a tennis ball.
Limited to only 50 pieces, the Richard Mille RM 27-03, which has broken the rudiments of technical excellence, was on the wrist of Nadal as he stormed through to a record 10th French Open title this year – without dropping a set, no less.
And just recently at the US Open finals, Nadal chalks up a 16th Grand Slam title through beating South African Kevin Anderson in three sets of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 and officially marking the biggest tennis comeback of 2017.
