Inspired by the tourbillon replica watches worn by Rafael Nadal on the tennis court, the ‘baby Nadal’ collection is a distillation of technology designed for anyone seeking performance. The RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal Automatic is the fourth watch in the series and fully deserves its place in this prestigious collection, introducing a patented innovation, the butterfly rotor.
We all strive for excellence in our respective fields. Richard and I speak the same language. We are all passionate about our work. It is vital to me to keep the flame of passion alive for what we do every day. Rafael Nadal shared that the confidence he and his team showed in engaging me in this extraordinary adventure was heartwarming.
This new movement winding system required three years of development to emerge and spread its wings in the Richard Mille RM 35-03. The RM 35-02’s RMAL1 movement is already equipped with a variable-geometry rotor (a signature component of Richard Mille’s automatic movements), while the RM 35-03’s butterfly rotor allows the wearer to interact directly with the geometry of the rotor , controls the winding of the movement to adjust the speed according to lifestyle and activity level, enabling interesting and practical complications.
Previously, any modifications to the rotor geometry had to be done by one of our licensed watchmakers. We have perfected this system to allow the wearer to directly influence the winding speed of the watch,” explains Salvador Arbona, technical director of the movement. “It is like the driver being able to adjust the transmission from city use to track use by activating Sport mode. Way. ” Online copy watches
The butterfly rotor consists of two grade 5 titanium arms mounted with heavy metal counterweight segments, activated by a separate gear train via a dedicated button. In its initial position, the counterweight section generates an outward radial displacement of the center of gravity, converting every movement of the wearer into the torque required to rewind the barrel. However, by pressing the pusher at 7 o’clock, the rotor’s gears spread the two weights through a 180° angle. With the center of gravity aligned, the rotor returns to its equilibrium position, pausing the winding process to prevent over-winding of the movement.
When switching between modes – from normal, which winds the barrel spring, to ‘sport mode’, which pauses the oscillating weight’s activity – pressure on the button prompts the function to provide tactile feedback, allowing the wearer to actually feel the counterweight Part of the pop-up separates on their wrists.
The winding indicator at 6 o’clock on the dial shows whether the rotor is activated (ON) or not activated (OFF). Rounding off the move command is the function selector. By pressing the pusher at 2 o’clock, the user can toggle between winding (W), neutral (N) and time setting (H) activities.
Sporty and ergonomic, the Richard Mille RM 35-03 is available in three versions: blue and white Quartz TPT ® Carbone TPT ® and white Quartz TPT ® and Carbone TPT ® – with a skeletonized design inspired by the RM 27-04 rotor flywheel. The movement is completely skeletonized and features sapphire crystals on the front and back, allowing the movement to be admired from both sides. The base plate and bridges are made of grade 5 titanium, treated with gray plasma and PVD, further emphasizing the bold visual effect of this watch. Skeleton hands, also made from micro-blasted grade 5 titanium, slide along the outer edge and are marked with the numbers 3, 6, 9 and 12, and are slanted into the movement to enhance depth.
The elegant appearance visually highlights the technical prowess of the Richard Mille RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal Automatic Watch. With this model and its stunning “butterfly rotor”, wearers can now truly experience the watch as an extension of their body.
Richard Mille RM 35-03 Automatic replica Watch Rafael Nadal Technical Specifications
Three models:
– White quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT®, strap in Carbon TPT®
– Made of blue quartz TPT® and the strap is made of white quartz TPT®
– Carbone TPT® material, strap made of Carbone TPT® material
CALIBRE RMAL2: Skeleton self-winding movement with hours, minutes, seconds, patented butterfly rotor, sport mode and function selector.
Case dimensions: 43.15 x 49.95 x 13.15 mm
main feature
power reserve
Approximately 55 hours (± 10%)
Grade 5 titanium base plate and bridges
These components are manufactured from grade 5 titanium and treated with black PVD and plasma, providing the entire assembly with extremely high rigidity as well as precise surface flatness, which is essential for the flawless operation of the gear train. The hollow base and bridges undergo intensive and complete validation testing to optimize their ability to withstand pressure.
function selector
Similar to a car transmission, the button at the 2 o’clock position selects wind, neutral and manual setting functions with just one press. The hand at 2 o’clock shows the selected function.
butterfly pendulum butterfly pendulum
Patented by Richard Mille, the rotor offers the wearer the possibility to change the geometry of the rotor themselves and thus control the winding of the movement according to their lifestyle and sporting activities.
Rotor specifications
– Grade 5 titanium arms
– Metal weight section
– Ceramic ball bearings
– One-way; counterclockwise winding direction
The butterfly rotor is composed of both grade 5 titanium and metal weights. In its initial position, the counterweight causes a radial displacement of the center of gravity, thereby generating the torque required to wind the barrel. By applying simple pressure to the pusher at 7 o’clock, a gear train dedicated to the rotor spreads the two counterweights at an angle of 180°. The center of gravity then returns to the center, balancing the rotor and removing its winding power, thus eliminating any over-winding of the movement.
Sport mode
The invention allows the movement’s winding mechanism to be optimized as required. An ON/OFF indicator located at the 6 o’clock position allows the owner to see the status of the rotor (whether it is activated or not).
The grade 5 titanium butterfly rotor spreads its wings by pressing the pusher at 7 o’clock. Once deployed, the inertia of the rotor is altered and stops the winding process in the event of sporting activity. By applying pressure to the pusher again, the rotor will come into play and wind the movement.
Automatic watches wind automatically by movement of the wrist; too much movement or lack of movement can adversely affect the power inside the winding barrel. The correct power supply in the barrel is essential for optimal functionality of the watch.
“run
“model:
The oscillating weight connects to and winds the barrel.
OFF mode:
Both counterweights are deployed. The rotor no longer functions.
Sprung balance with variable inertia
This type of balance wheel represents the ultimate innovation. It guarantees greater reliability in the face of shocks and during assembly and disassembly of the movement, resulting in better timekeeping results over time.
Thanks to the 4 small adjustable weights located directly on the scale, adjuster indexing is eliminated, allowing for more accurate and repeatable adjustments.
Dual barrel system
The twin barrel system helps maintain torque stability over longer periods of time. This is achieved by spreading the stored energy across the two winding barrels, equalizing torque and reducing friction on bearings and pivots, thereby improving long-term performance.
The bridges and case are made of grade 5 titanium spline screws.
This allows for better control of the torque applied to the screws during assembly. Therefore, these screws are not affected by physical manipulation during assembly or disassembly and are durable.
Other features
– Movement dimensions: 31.25 x 29.45 mm
– Thickness: 5.92 mm
– Number of gems: 38
– Barrel arbor: AP 20 steel
– Balance: Glucydur®, 2 arms and 4 set weights, moment of inertia 4.8 mg·cm2, angle of elevation 53°
– Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
– Hairspring: elinvar
– Shock protection: INCABLOC 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT® case
Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT® are unique materials with a unique appearance. Their striking surface displays elegant stripes because they are composed of multiple layers of parallel filaments obtained by splitting carbon fiber or silica threads.
The layers, which have a maximum thickness of 45 microns, are impregnated with resin and then woven on special machines that change the direction of the weft yarns by 45° between layers. The materials are heated to 120°C under a pressure of 6 bar and then prepared for processing on CNC machines in Richard Mille’s watch case factory.
The case is water-resistant to 50 meters, ensured by two nitrile O-ring seals. The case is assembled from 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws and 316L stainless steel wear washers.
CROWN
Made of grade 5 titanium and carbon TPT® with rubber O-ring seal.
internal flange
Upper flange: hour index points filled with approved luminous material
Lower flange: microblasted grade 5 titanium black
surface
Mirror:
– Sapphire (1,800 Vickers hardness), anti-reflective (double-sided)
– Thickness: 1.50 mm
back:
– Sapphire (1,800 Vickers hardness), anti-reflective (double-sided)
– Thickness: 1.20 mm
finishing
movement
Base plate wet blasted grade 5 titanium with gray plasma finish
Bridges are hand ground grade 5 titanium, wet sandblasted and treated with Titalyt® or PVD
Locking part hand polished
polishing
Pivot Pinion with undercut
steel parts
Screw slots and screws are chamfered and polished, tips are rounded and polished Upper
The surface is treated with linear texture. Lower surface
Micro sandblasted
wheel hub
diamond cutting angle
Round grain rhodium plated wheel beveling (before gear cutting)
Minimal modifications to the wheel hub to maintain geometry and performance