Today marks the 10th anniversary of the collaboration between the extraordinary Richard Mille of the watch brand and the legendary tennis player Rafael Nadal. In 2010, Rafael Nadal wore his first Richard Mille Tourbillon watch on the court – stunning audiences around the world. The thing is, Richard Mille insists that all of his brand ambassadors wear watches when they play – a showcase of their strength and resilience, as well as their craftsmanship. Now, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the collaboration, Richard Mille presents the new RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal.

The Richard Mille RM 27-04 is the fifth tourbillon watch developed in collaboration with Rafa. It has a new tennis racket inspired design and new colors. What’s more, it also boasts a new high-tech material that is lighter and has some other important improvements – many inspired by the high-tech rackets used by Rafa.

First, the technopolymer TitaCarb® material contains 38.5% carbon fiber – resulting in incredible strength, and the entire watch, including the strap, weighs just 30 grams. Those 30 grams are equivalent to a little over 1 ounce, or the equivalent of a writing pencil or an old-fashioned CD.

The entire movement – visible from both sides of the replica watches on sale – is supported by a grid measuring 855mm² and made from a braided steel cable. The movement is held in place by two PVD-treated 5N rose gold tensioners that hold the cables in place. The cable is actually braided directly onto the watch, though. The watchmaker attaches the end to the tensioner at 5:00 and then weaves and crosses the strings like a racket. The cable passes through the hollow grade 5 titanium bezel 38 times. The movement is then attached using titanium hooks extending from the back of the baseplate.

Suspended in the case, the tourbillon escapement is able to resist accelerations of over 12,000 grams, a new record for Richard Mlle, and this revolutionary construction is top-of-the-line. The RM 27-04 movement features a grade 5 titanium baseplate and bridges, with micro-blasted cables forming a mesh, a first in watchmaking.

Naturally, Rafa will be wearing this new RM 27-04 in future matches and at the French Open now underway. Rafa said: “Richard and I had a very clear goal when I was on the court: to make sure each piece was very lightweight and fit my wrist perfectly. These two features are essential and the team has been able to provide They also create watches with amazing resistance, as tennis can involve very vigorous arm and wrist movements.” Richard Mille fake