RicHaRD miLLE

mEcHanical cHrysalis: THE oTHEr buTTErfly EffEcT

Dan Diaconu

Lightning acceleration, extreme spin, deceleration. The analysis of the various phases that makes Rafael Nadal’s famous “buggy whip lasso” forehand fatal impresses with its effectiveness. Few opponents during the ATP Cup tours have been able to counterattack. THE roTor muTEs from a And, even though the left-handed player wears his watch on the other wrist during his tennis matches, the TradiTional-looking roTor, aka Half disc, To onE THaT watch’s mechanics, just like Rafael’s TakEs on a sHapE known rivals, are put to a serious test. His watchmaker friend’s brand, though, as "buTTErfly" . has just rolled out a successful solution to safeguard the watch during any intensive sporting encounter or practice. Because, once the spring-coiled energy source is totally wound, a slipping-bridle slides against the inside wall of the barrel to prevent over-winding. “The less this bridle is solicited, then the longer the lifespan of the barrel and its mainspring”, emphasizes Salvador Arbona. “However, this principle is, of course, called into question if the rotor continues to spin at full speed when it’s worn by a sportsperson...”. To address

this risk Richard Mille’s Technical Director of Movements and his team developed an ingenious reflex and implemented it to stop the gyrations of the rotor of an automatic calibre on demand.

Taking direct action on the architecture of an oscillating weight and controlling winding based on a sports activity is the expert feat finalized following three years of research. With the

RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal watch, complexity is now geared towards simplicity. A tap on the pusher set at 7 o’clock shifts the timepiece’s centre of gravity. And the result? The two-part RMAL2 calibre rotor mutes from

wiTH 21 grand slam TiTlEs To His namE, rafaEl nadal's TalEnT ElEvaTEs ricHard millE waTcHEs To THE HigHEsT lEvEl.

a traditional-looking rotor, aka half disc, to one that takes on a shape known as “butterfly”. This modus operandi interrupts the winding process and prevents the oscillating weight from rotating at incredible speed whenever an extreme sports activity is in play. The sapphirecrystal caseback invites to delight in this instantaneous metamorphosis.

Just like all the latest creations showcased by Les Breuleux workshops, this masterpiece of fine watchmaking enjoys design that’s on a par with performance. The case (43.15 x 49.95 mm) available in blue or white Quartz TPT®, featuring a caseband fashioned in the same material or in Carbon TPT®, protects a remarkable mechanical composition with great style. On the skeletonized dial, the openworked hour and minute hands hover over a coloured, cross-shaped geometric scenescape. The grade 5 titanium baseplate and bridges are topped with a grey electro-plasma and PVD coating, which highlights the graphical style. To optimize timepiece use, a pusher at 2 o’clock completes the automatic movement control system. A single tap lets the wearer switch to W mode, wind, to N mode, neutral, and to H mode for setting the time. What’s more, an on/off position indicator at 6 o’clock lets the wearer quickly know whether the rotor is enabled or not. The RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal is ready and raring to accompany you in all your feats!