Richard Mille - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII Geneva Friday, November 3, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Richard Mille
    Year: 2013
    Reference No: RM27-01
    Movement No: 009
    Case No: Caseback stamped with limited edition number 14/50
    Model Name: RM27-01 Rafael Nadal
    Material: Carbon Nanotube
    Calibre: Manual, 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Canvas
    Clasp/Buckle: Richard Mille Titanium buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Width and 46mm Length
    Signed: Case, movement and strap signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Richard Mille Guarantee (Copy) dated August 2013 and product literature.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Known for his Formula 1 inspired creations, Richard Mille has nevertheless always thought out of the box and pushed boundaries to the ultimate limits and the present outstanding RM27-01 is no exception.
    In 2010, Richard Mille announced a partnership with one of the greatest tennis champions of all time: Rafael Nadal and 3 years later the RM27 “Rafael Nadal” was launched.

    The construction of the RM27-01 is mind boggling. The movement (weighing a mere 3.5 grammes thanks to the titanium baseplate and lithium/aluminum barrel bridge and gear trains) is held in suspension. The baseplate is attached to the case by four braided steel cables just 0.35 mm in diameter.

    These cables are held taut by means of tensioners (located at 3 and 9 o'clock) and pulleys, which act like pylons positioned at the four corners of the movement. Each cable is fixed to the tensioner and passes over the upper pulley and into the movement, before returning via the lower pulley to finish in the lower flange.

    The RM27-01 may be a featherweight watch – the watch, strap included, weighs only 19 grams- but it has been designed to withstand the shocks and G forces generated by a professional tennis player and in particular, Nadal’s incredible force when hitting a tennis ball. In fact, the watch can withstand an astounding accelerative force of 5,000Gs.

    An incredible feat of design, watchmaking and engineering, the present RM27-01 is in hardly worn condition offers a unique opportunity to own one of the 50 pieces ever produced.

  • Artist Biography

    Richard Mille

    Swiss • 1999

    Established in 1999, Richard Mille's ultra-modern timepieces combine cutting-edge materials from high performance worlds such as Formula 1 racecars with high-end traditional watchmaking. The brand's revolutionary designs, technical breakthroughs and exceptional hand-finishing excite even the most discriminating collectors, and have positioned Richard Mille alongside the top makers of the modern luxury watch world.

    Innovative watches, such as the RM 027 Tourbillon, which was the world’s lightest mechanical watch when introduced in 2011, have helped the brand invert the concept of the luxury watch. Key models include the RM 009 Tourbillon cased in Aluminum Silicon Carbide (AlSiC), the RM 027-02 Tourbillon made for tennis star Rafael Nadal with a case made from quartz and carbon fiber and the RM 008 split seconds chronograph.

    View More Works

102

Ref. RM27-01
A mind boggling carbon nanotube tourbillon wristwatch with suspended movement, number 14 of a 50 piece limited edition and copy of guarantee

2013
38mm Width and 46mm Length
Case, movement and strap signed

Estimate
CHF400,000 - 800,000 
€415,000-831,000
$440,000-879,000

Sold for CHF952,500

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

test

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII

Geneva Auction 3 - 4 November 2023