Richard Mille unveils new RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal models in pastel blue and salmon Quartz TPT

Richard Mille brings summer tones to the RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal with pastel blue and salmon Quartz TPT editions. Full details and price: CHF 220,000

Richard Mille has introduced two new RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal models in pastel blue and salmon Quartz TPT, colour combinations that highlight their playful character while still showcasing the sophisticated technical contents of this automatic timepiece.

The RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal was first launched in 2021 in white Quartz TPT with a Carbon TPT caseband, along with a blue Quartz TPT version paired with a white Quartz caseband. These were followed by a Carbon TPT edition in 2023.

With the new vibrant summer tones , Richard Mille reinterprets its collections with even greater boldness.

The first new version features pastel blue Quartz TPT bezels with a salmon Quartz TPT caseband, complemented by a blue rubber strap.

The second reference pairs salmon Quartz TPT bezels with a pastel blue caseband and a black rubber strap.

Quartz TPT is made of multiple layers of parallel filaments obtained by dividing carbon fibres or silica threads. The resulting surface displays unique striations, ensuring that no two models are ever identical.

Measuring 43.15 mm x 49.95 mm with a thickness of 13.15 mm and water resistance to 50 metres / 165 feet, the RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal is powered by the skeletonised self-winding RMAL2 calibre. 

Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), this movement features a free-sprung balance with variable inertia that improves reliability when subjected to shocks as well as during assembly and disassembly, ultimately delivering better chronometric results. 

Adjustment is performed via four small weights directly on the balance, a solution that ensures greater accuracy than a regulator index.

A highlight of this movement is its patented “butterfly rotor,” which allows the wearer to control the winding process through two modes: a standard setting for daily wear and a sport mode that disengages the rotor to avoid overwinding during intense activity. 

While the preceding RM 35-02 was equipped with a variable-geometry rotor, a signature of Richard Mille automatic movements, the new butterfly rotor lets the wearer directly interact with the rotor’s geometry, adjusting winding speed to match lifestyle and activity level.

The butterfly rotor of the skeletonised RMAL2 calibre is built from two grade 5 titanium and metal weights. In their default position, the weights shift the centre of gravity radially, generating the torque needed to wind the barrel. 

By pressing the pusher at 7 o’clock, a dedicated gear train deploys the two weights to 180°. The centre of gravity then returns to the centre, balancing the rotor and halting the winding process, preventing overwinding during sporting activities.

The double-barrel system provides a 55-hour power reserve while ensuring stable torque over time. By distributing energy across two barrels, it equalises torque, reduces friction, and improves long-term performance.

At 2 o’clock, a push-button enables quick selection between winding (W), neutral (N), and time-setting (H) modes, with an indicator hand at the same position displaying the chosen function.

Showcasing its blend of technical mastery and aesthetic innovation, the new Richard Mille RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal in pastel blue and salmon Quartz TPT is priced at CHF 220,000 excluding taxes. richardmille.com

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