Richard Mille RM 35-01

Designed specifically for active sports activities like tennis, this timepiece is incredibly strong but ultra-lightweight, thanks to the use of carbon NTPT for its case. The RM 30-01 is a product of years of partnership with tennis icon Rafael Nadal, paying tribute to the extraordinary achievements of one of the most remarkable athletes in the world.

Richard Mille RM 35-01 History

The Richard Mille Brand has always taken pride in its ability to design and build quality and highly durable timepieces. When Richard Mille started the company, he would go to conventions and throw the brand’s new creations on the pavement to demonstrate that they wouldn’t break.

The watchmaker’s range of sports watches stands out from the rest because they’re not just fragile luxurious pieces that athletes can wear for trophy-holding photo ops or red-carpet events. Richard Mille watches are durable machines that can be worn during active sports without damaging or interfering with the athlete’s movement.

This was the motivation behind the Nadal watches, starting with the RM 027 in 2010. When Richard Mille approached the iconic Athlete with a deal, he was skeptical about the possibility of wearing a watch while playing tennis on the court. This was exactly what Richard Mille did with the RM 027, which became the first in a long line of Richard Mille Nadal watches.

While the first Nadal watch was limited to 50 pieces and was a tourbillon timepiece, Richard Mille immediately began working on a mainline collection of non-tourbillon models. By 2011, the RM 035 was launched, kickstarting a separate line of Nadal watches nicknamed “baby Nadals” by Richard Mille fans.

Although the RM 35 watches were inspired by RM 027 Tourbillon watches, they were designed to be practical and wearable as an everyday timepiece without getting compromised. The flagship timepiece had a black tonneau-shaped case made from alumagnesium material. This special alloy is made from magnesium and aluminum, renowned for being durable and lightweight. The Nadal watch family is over a decade old, with the RM27 series now on its fourth version, while the RM 35 series has three models.

The second non-tourbillon “Baby Nadal” watch used different materials to achieve the same result. In October 2013, Richard Mille started making watch cases with NTPT carbon material, soon becoming the brand’s most utilized material. This special carbon material is produced by North Thin Ply Technology (NTPT), which is renowned for being lightweight and highly resistant. This material was originally developed to be used in the sails of racing yachts but has also been popularly adapted for creating the chassis of F1 cars.

Naturally, the RM 35-01 released in 2014 was crafted from this material. The timepiece had the same functions as the original RM 35 but was powered by an upgraded Caliber RMUL3 movement instead of the RMUL1 movement used in the original. Richard Mille followed up on the release of RM 35-01, with RM 35-02 in 2016 and RM 35-03 in 2021.

RM 35-01 Features

The Richard Mille RM 35 01 is offered in the brand’s signature tonneau-shaped case, crafted from an innovative casing material machined to perfection. Like the other Nadal watches, this timepiece isn’t big on complications, but it still captures the essence of precision timing with its ultra-thin movement. It reflects Richard Mille’s dedication to creating high-end watches with practical utility.

Lightweight and Durable Construction

The defining quality of every Richard Mille Nadal watch is their lightweight construction. This is also true for this exquisitely crafted RM 35-01. It is meticulously fashioned from an innovative Carbon material by North Thin Ply. The traditional tonneau-shaped case, which measures  49.94mm x 42mm x 14.05mm, weighs roughly 50 grams, which is quite impressive.

The Carbon NTPT, patented to the brand, consists of multiple layers of woven carbon fibers with an average thickness of 30 microns. These materials have been stacked and baked under high pressure and temperature. To achieve exceptional rigidity, the fiber orientation is changed to every two successive layers before being shaped by CNC milling machines.

The result is a material with up to 25% more fracture resistance and 200% micro crack resistance than similar carbon-like composite materials. The case is held down by 20 titanium stud bolts and has Nitrile O-ring seals to make it water-resistant to a depth of up to 50 meters.

The NTPT case fully protects the RM 35-01’s movement and adds to its unique appearance. The innovative construction, milling, and finishing of the Carbon TPT material ensures that every piece is unique, with a beautiful sheen that resembles the surface of finely crafted Damascene steel.

Openworked Dial

The dial of the RM 35-01 Rafael Nadal timepiece is as simple as a Richard Mille’s dial can get. That’s because this timepiece is a time-only watch with no extra complications. Still, even the simplest Richard Mille timepiece is a vibrant tapestry of intricate gears and bridges.

The dial is highly skeletonized, which helps to shed some of the weight while also providing a mesmerizing view into the intricate movement that powers the timepiece.  The hands are skeletonized, and their tips have been coated with luminova to provide legibility even in the dark.

The RM 35-01 doesn't have traditional numerals on its dial. Instead, it uses small, raised markers that are positioned at each hour position. The black flange features red markers delineating the minutes while the words 'Richard Mille' are printed in yellow. The subtle colors are meant to evoke the colors of the Spaniard flag, which is Rafael Nadal’s home country.

Technical Brilliance

Richard Mille Nadal timepieces are not only known for their aesthetic elegance, these watches are also a demonstration of the watchmaker’s technical expertise. The Nadal watches have their movement crafted from grade-5 titanium material and are specifically designed to ensure precise timekeeping without disruption, even during tennis matches.

Richard Mille RM 35 01 is powered by a hand-wound mechanical movement known as the Caliber RMUL3. This movement, which measures 30.25mm x 28.45mm x 3.15mm, contributes to the lightweight build of the timepiece, as it wears just 4 grams.

The highly skeletonized caliber has 24 jewels and beats at a frequency of 28800vph. Its time-only functionality tracks the minutes, hours, and seconds, with a 55-hour power reserve when fully wound.

Richard Mille dedicated significant efforts to making this timepiece as impact-resistant as possible, which is what you would expect from a timepiece to be worn on the tennis court. The RM 35-01’s movement has been extensively tested by Richard Mille engineers under severe conditions and can withstand extreme shocks over 5000G.

Richard Mille RM Price

Unveiled in 2014, the RM 35-01 is no longer in the watchmaker’s latest lineup. It has since been replaced by newer versions, the latest being the RM 35-03 released a few years ago. However, you can still find a Richard Mille RM 35-01 for sale in the secondary market.

Generally, the main line of RM 35 watches are considered entry-level Nadal timepieces because they’re relatively inexpensive. Most models have their retail price in the low $100ks. When the RM 35-01 was released in 2014, Richard Mille sold the timepiece for $130,000.

The Richard Mille RM 35 01 Rafael Nadal is still a highly sought-after timepiece, with its relative affordability adding to its appeal in the secondary market. Currently, prices for this watch in the pre-owned market range between $250,000 to $350,000 on the secondary market.

Conclusion

The Richard Mille Nadal watches are impressive timepieces that defy watchmaking boundaries. These impressive pieces of horological brilliance are renowned for their daring design and impressive use of the most innovative material. The RM 35-01 exemplifies this perfectly. It’s the perfect blend of the high-flying spirit of Tennis and Richard Mille’s high-end precision engineering. These attributes make it a treasured collectible for Richard Mille enthusiasts and Tennis lovers everywhere.