Inspired by the watches Rafael Nadal wears on the court, the butterfly rotor lets the wearer control the winding speed
The Richard Mille RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal features a movement with a butterfly rotor that can be turned off should the situation warrant it. A push button at ‘7’ controls this function; pressing it will spread the rotor's two grade 5 titanium weights to a 180° angle, suspending the winding process to prevent excessive winding, particularly during a sporting activity. An indicator at ‘6’ shows whether the rotor is active or otherwise.
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The patented movement took three years of development. “Previously, any modification of the rotor’s geometry needed to be done by one of our licensed watchmakers. We have perfected this system and given wearers the possibility of directly acting on the watch’s winding speed,’ explains Salvador Arbona, Richard Mille's technical director for movements. ‘It’s like a driver being able to adjust the transmission style from city use to racetrack by activating the sports mode.’
The look of the watch is typical of a Richard Mille watch: bold and outstanding, not unlike the engine that powers it.
The RM 35-03 is available in blue and white Quartz TPT, Carbone TPT and white Quartz TPT, and Carbone TPT, with cut-outs inspired by the RM 27-04 Tourbillon, the skeletonised movement with titanium baseplate and bridges can be admired on the dial and the caseback.
The openworked hands are also crafted in microblasted grade 5 titanium. The numerals ‘3’, ‘6’, ‘9’ and ‘12’ are purposely slanted inward towards the movement to enhance depth.