Introducing The Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal

Earlier this week, Richard Mille and Rafael "Rafa" Nadal marked 14 years of their partnership with a new release: The RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon. The RM 27 series is a huge pillar in the Richard Mille legacy. The original RM 027 was launched in 2010 by way of tennis phenom Rafa Nadal's wrist, entering the brand into the field of ultra-sportswear. The series has only since continued to evolve in lightweightness, robustness, and all-round out-of-this-world-ness.

For a little timeline refresher, let's consider the series' key mechanical feats. Naturally, the journey started with a very lightweight goal, and the RM 027 came in at less than 20 grams. Two years later, the RM 27-01 and its fully suspended movement came in at 18.83 grams. In 2015, a new case architecture was introduced for the RM 27-02, which carried over to the 2017 RM 27-03, which was decked out in the colors of the Spanish flag and capable of withstanding 10,000 gs of shock resistance. Then, in 2020, we saw a tennis-inspired movement design from the RM 27-04 that could withstand an incredible 12,000 gs of shock.

So how do you develop the next best "second skin" watch in the series for a 22-time Grand Slam champion? Well, you focus, yet again, on lightweightedness. The RM 27-05, a limited edition of 80 pieces, features a monoblock case made of Carbon TPT® B.4, a new material at Richard Mille. Initially used in Formula 1, the specific weave of this composite optimizes the material's strength-to-weight ratio when machined. Compared to standard Carbon TPT, this new composite is 4% denser, its fibers are 15% stiffer, and the resin is 30% more resistant. These qualities make it possible to machine thinner pieces for the case and thus lighten the whole endeavor without sacrificing rigidity.

The RM 27-05 now holds the brand's lightweight record, weighing 11,5 grams (without its strap). Coming in at a very slim 7.20 mm, it also houses an extra-flat movement. Benefiting from the innovations of the RM UP-01 Ultraflat Ferrari Caliber, there are no screws holding the movement and case together. The entire mechanism sits inside the monobloc caseback, topped by the flange, the bezel, and the crystal. These put pressure on the caliber to hold it firmly in place. Every milligram or millimeter has been pared away from the skeletonized movement and case walls. It is a whole 0.6mm thinner than RM 67-02 extra flat – however, the caliber, unlike the automatic 67-02, is manual winding.

The RM 27-05 movement contains a single-sided (flying) tourbillon, technology we've seen before in watches such as the RM66.  Thanks to a base fitted with ball bearings, the tourbillon can keep doing its thing without a traditional bridge. Removing bridges obviously reduces the weight, but how does it hold up for a timepiece that is going to be subjected to so many violent shocks? The casing and positioning of the caliber is 5/100ths of a millimeter from the back on six support points for maximum rigidity. 

Aesthetically, this watch is a little tamer in its casing. The movement is where all of the action takes place. The sweeping arc that hangs over the entire caliber recalls the bridges on the RM 27-02. And when the tourbillon is lined up with the bridges on the RM 27-05, I can't help but think it looks like a wishbone.

The RM 27-05 obviously underwent a gauntlet of insane tests, which the RM team refers to as the 'Nadal.' The watch is subjected to a series of vertical and horizontal shocks with accelerations of up to 300 gs. Ouch. Pricing is also a bit of a shock, with the RM 27-05 carrying a price tag of $1,150,000. 

The point here isn't to create an ultra-accessible product. The point is to create a watchmaking marvel that works for a superstar athlete. Rafa can wear a flying tourbillon on the tennis court and feel comfortable doing it, too.

The RM27 series watches are the top of the totem pole for ultra-light sport watches, and with every release, they just become shockingly lighter. This is the kind of RM that reminds naysayers what all the fuss is about. If you're not a fan of the irony and whimsey that comes courtesy of watches like Smiley or the Bon Bon collection, then perhaps you can simply marvel at the technical specs of a cutting-edge watch like the RM 27-05. 

Of course, in watchmaking, Richard Mille sits at the extreme end of the spectrum, both technically and aesthetically. It's not for everybody, and it's not meant to be. Personally, I like my RMs a little more divisive design-wise. As far as RMs go, aesthetically, this one takes a little more of a sober approach, mirroring the more subdued (if we can call anything made by RM subdued?!) design of the original RM 027.

Perhaps this was an intentional move in order to focus on the sheer insanity of the specs? Or perhaps this is the brand's way to close on the 14-year-long RM Rafa series? RM states that this is the beginning of a new phase for the partnership. Here's hoping Nadal rises to the occasion of this summer's Olympic games after being knocked out of the French Open after the first round on Monday. We still love you Rafa!

Brand: Richard Mille
Model: Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal

Diameter: 37.25mm x 47.25mm
Thickness: 7.20mm
Case Material: Carbon TPT
Water Resistance: 10 meters
Strap/Bracelet: black textile 

Caliber: RM27-05
Functions: Hours, minutes, tourbillon
Diameter: 32.75 x 28.95 mm
Thickness: 2.12 mm
Power Reserve: 55 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 vph)
Jewels: 22

Price: $1,150,000
Limited Edition: 80 pieces

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