RICHARD MILLE has unveiled one of the most extreme mechanical watches ever created: the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal. Developed in close collaboration with tennis legend Rafael Nadal, this timepiece represents the absolute frontier of lightweight engineering, shock resistance, and modern haute horlogerie. Designed to be worn during professional competition, the RM 27-05 redefines what a mechanical tourbillon watch can endure.
Weighing just 11.5 grams without the strap, the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is currently the lightest manual-winding tourbillon watch ever produced. Despite this featherweight construction, it is engineered to withstand shocks of up to 14,000 g, a figure that surpasses nearly all traditional mechanical watches. This balance of extreme lightness and resilience is central to the RM 27 project, which has evolved through multiple generations since its debut.
The case measures only 7.2mm in thickness and is crafted from a newly developed material known as Carbon TPT B.4. This advanced composite required five years of research and testing. Compared to standard Carbon TPT, the B.4 variant is 4 percent denser, delivers a 15 percent increase in fiber stiffness, and improves resin strength by approximately 30 percent. The resulting structure is optimized for anisotropy, ensuring exceptional impact resistance while remaining remarkably light.
To further reduce weight, Richard Mille replaced conventional sapphire crystal with an ultra-light PMMA polymer. This material offers excellent transparency and anti-reflective properties while significantly reducing mass. The use of PMMA is a deliberate engineering choice, reinforcing the watch’s role as a performance instrument rather than a traditional luxury object.
The fully skeletonized dial reveals a bold, architectural movement layout. A distinctive V-shaped bridge anchors the visual composition, while the flying tourbillon appears suspended without an upper bridge, enhancing both shock resistance and aesthetic depth. The openworked barrel allows the wearer to observe the winding state, while the gear trains positioned at 2 o’clock and 8 o’clock create a balanced and highly technical visual structure.
Powering the watch is the RM27-05 manual-winding movement, operating at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of approximately 55 hours. Constructed from grade 5 titanium and Carbon TPT, the movement weighs an astonishing 3.79 grams. In an unprecedented construction method, the movement is fixed directly to the case via the bezel, eliminating the need for additional screws and reinforcing the ultra-lightweight concept.
The Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal is fitted with a black fabric strap designed for comfort and stability during intense physical activity. This model is produced as a limited edition of only 80 pieces worldwide. The official retail price is 980,000 CHF, positioning it among the most technically ambitious sports watches ever released.
For more information about Richard Mille engineering philosophy and Carbon TPT technology, visit the official website:
https://www.richardmille.com
RICHARD MILLE RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal Watch
Carbon TPT B.4 case, dimensions 37.25mm x 47.25mm x 7.2mm, Carbon TPT bezel, PMMA crystal, RM27-05 manual-winding movement, 22 jewels, frequency 21,600 vph, power reserve 55 hours, fabric strap.
Complication: Flying Tourbillon.
