Rafael Nadal is one of the most important tennis players in the world. In the two decades since he turned pro at age fifteen, he has won eighteen majors. These included a record twelve French Open singles titles, which earned him the nickname “The King of Clay Clay.” He is also one of only two male players to have won all four majors and Olympic gold medals. As of 2020, the Tennis Professionals Association (ATP) ranks him second in the world in men’s singles tennis. Nadal’s outstanding performance in tennis has attracted the attention of countless brands. His sponsorship deals include brands like Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Kia and watchmaker Richard Mille.
So what watch does Rafael Nadal wear?
Richard Miller and Rafael Nadal first started working together in 2010. That season, the star player wore the ultralight RM 027 tourbillon on the court and made his French Open debut. The brand designed this model exclusively for Nadal and is limited to 50 pieces. It features a lightweight carbon composite case and flexible polycarbonate strap. However, the real magic is in the action. The RM 027 tourbillon is made of titanium and a unique alloy called LITAL. Both components contributed to the record-breaking lightweight construction of the time. Since then, Rafael Nadal and Richard Miller have continued to wow fans on the court with their technical innovations and superlative designs.
Since the RM 027 Tourbillon, the collaboration between Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal has been noticed by watch and tennis enthusiasts around the world. In 2011, the duo launched their second creation: the RM 035. It features a distinctive tonneau-shaped case that is the hallmark of the Richard Mille brand. This time, they made the models out of another ultra-lightweight material, magnesium and aluminum alloys. The RM 035 also features a skeletonized case that showcases the Chronofiable-certified manual-winding movement RMUL1. Although the first collaboration with the duo is equally impressive.
The most popular models of Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal
In 2013, Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille upped the ante again with the second generation of the wildly popular RM 027. Somehow they made this watch lighter and more impressive than the original. The RM 27-01 is equipped with a new system that can withstand forces up to 5000 Gs. In addition to enhancing the technical capabilities of the model, the RM 27-01 introduces a range of new styling options.
A year later, the duo launched the second edition of the RM 035. Once again, they simply named the new generation the RM 35-01. However, it is very different from the original. Most notably, it lacks a tourbillon feature. Instead, the hand-wound RMUL3 movement is a basic chronograph movement with a 55-hour power reserve. The simplicity of the RM 35-01 is reflected in the price tag.
Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal wear RM 27-02 at press conference In 2015, Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille made headlines again with their next generation original models . The RM 27-02 showcases new design elements, such as a red clay-colored strap in honor of the “King of Clay” himself. However, the model also introduces new features. The RM 27-02 debuts a hollowed-out baseplate called “One Piece”. The idea is to fuse the strap and baseplate into one. The result is greater impact resistance on the court. That same year, the duo expanded the RM 035 range with a limited edition designed for the US market.
In 2016, Richard Mille expanded their collection with Nadal again with the launch of the RM 35-02. The biggest update to this model comes from an all-new in-house movement. For the first time, one of the duo’s watches is equipped with an automatic quartz movement. In addition, the model features a gorgeous new color scheme with a bright red case and a contrasting yellow strap.
Rafael Nadal’s Lucky Charm: Richard Mille RM 27-03
The collaboration between Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal continued in 2017 with the release of the RM 27-03. The fourth generation is again bolder and more technologically advanced. It introduces an entirely new movement that can now withstand shocks up to 10,000 Gs – an industry first. It also has a yellow and red colour scheme similar to the RM 35-02. This time, however, it boasts a distinctive yellow and red wave pattern on the yellow strap and case. The design is reminiscent of the Spanish flag of the player’s country.
In 2019, Nadal won his second Grand Slam title of the season and his 19th overall at the U.S. Open. Here, he defeated Bovet ambassador Daniel Medvedev after a horrific match that lasted nearly five hours. Nadal has continued to flaunt his RM 27-03 on and off the court over the past two years. This model appears to be the second best luck charm in the world. He has won an impressive five Grand Slams with the watch since its debut in 2017. So if someone asks you, what high quality fake watch does Rafael Nadal wear? You can bet he was wearing RM 27-03.