Rafael Nadal has been increasing the intensity of his training as his return to Brisbane comes closer. He had invited Arthur Fils for training in Kuwait. Both players practiced at Rafa Academy for a week. Fils was elated to have a chance to rally with Nadal. Meanwhile, the fans not only enjoyed the practice sessions but also noticed a Richard Mille watch on Nadal’s wrist.
The Spaniard did not have the habit of wearing watches on the court. Habits change, and so did Nadal, as he was first spotted wearing a watch while playing in 2010. Richard Millie had met Nadal in 2008 but was not ready to wear a watch on the court. But two years later, Nadal signed a deal with Richard Millie and has been seen wearing watches on tour.
Rafael Nadal was spotted wearing RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal.
Worth: $2,300,000 (27,623,000 gh) pic.twitter.com/CyRjoYPPE6
— Fancy Di Maria (@FancyDiMaria_) December 10, 2023
Nadal wore an RM 27-04 Tourbillon, valued at $2,300,000. He often sports various types of Richard Mille watches, modified to suit his preference for lightweight timepieces during matches. Nadal’s specifications have created new records in the watch industry as Richard Millie tries to keep breaking boundaries with the latest technology.
The journey of Rafael Nadal’s wristwear
It all started in 2010 when Rafael Nadal debuted with the RM 027 on the courts, a watch that was as lightweight as it was sturdy, embodying the essence of luxury in sports. Weighing less than 20 grams, the watch was a marvel of modern engineering, integrating a titanium and LITAL alloy to minimize its weight.
Nadal’s collaboration with Richard Mille continued to break new ground, with the RM 27-01 introduced in 2013 weighing a mere 18.83 grams. It was a limited edition release with only 50 pieces available on the market.
Collaborating with athletes like Rafael Nadal and Felipe Massa has boosted its reputation. Richard Mille watches are prized for their avant-garde designs and exclusivity.@100k pic.twitter.com/aztWlMYuSz
— CRUIZE WRISTWATCHES (@alfred_cruize) December 5, 2023
The subsequent models in the RM 27 series continued to amaze, each bringing something unique to the table. The RM 27-02, for instance, introduced a TPT Quartz case, giving the watch a distinct, almost artistic appearance. The RM 27-03, launched in 2017, paid homage to Nadal’s Spanish roots with its vibrant color scheme, capable of withstanding substantial shocks.
Rafael Nadal’s Richard Mille 027
In 2010, Richard Mille convinced Nadal to wear a watch while playing a match. The 14-time French Open champion was given the RM 027 to wear. This watch became the lightest released during that time. It was a limited edition product and can now cost $1,600,000.
Record season for Nadal with Richard Mille 27-01
The 2013 season saw Nadal winning 75 matches and was the last time he won 10 titles. Apart from breaking records in court, he wore the RM 27-01. The watch weighed 18.83 grams, which broke its predecessor’s record. It was a limited edition and now costs $1,750,000.
Nadal’s celebrates five years with Richard Mille 27-02
Inspired by the chassis of racing cars, the makers partly constructed the RM-27-02 using TPT quartz. It marked the first instance of incorporating TPT quartz in a watch. Only 50 pieces are available on the market, and the watch’s price is now $1,300,000. It was released in 2015.
Clay court special Richard Mille 27-03
In 2017, the RM-27-03 was released during the French Open. It paid tribute to Nadal’s legacy with a color based on clay courts. The tourbillon caliber construction of the watch enables it to withstand shocks up to 10,000 g’s. It was again a limited edition with 50 pieces and cost $1,685,000.
Celebrating 10th anniversary with Richard Mille 27-04
In 2020, Nadal celebrated the 10th anniversary by wearing the RM-27-04. Like the previous ones, Richard Mille kept its tradition of outperforming in different areas. It can withstand shocks up to 10,000 g’s and is water-resistant to 50 meters. It was a limited edition and cost $2,150,000.
Butterfly patent with Richard Mille 35-03
The RM 35-03 was the start of what was known as the “baby Nadal” watches. Patented by Richard Mille, the butterfly rotor gives the owner control of varying the rotor geometry and the movement’s winding according to the activity. It comes in blue and white color. The blue model sells for $850,000, while the white version costs $1,000,000.
Richard Mille 11-03 collaboration with McLaren
The latest release of Richard Mille was in 2018. McLaren Design Director Rob Melville collaborated to create the RM 11-03. Unlike other editions developed exclusively for Nadal, this was a limited edition of 500 timepieces released at the Geneva International Motor Show. Its costs are between $300,000 and $400,000.