Sport Mode: RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal Automatic Watch Richard Mille launches new winding geometry with butterfly rotor and sport mode

Butterfly rotor: In the RM 35-03, Richard Mille presents for the first time a completely new lifting system, three years in the making.

The RM 035 “Baby Nadal” collection is inspired by the RM 027 tourbillon watch worn by Rafa Nadal on the tennis court. It provides concentrated technology for everyone inspired by top performance. Behind this lies a new patented complication: a butterfly rotor with sport mode and function selector.

The RM 35-02's RMAL1 movement was already equipped with a variable-geometry rotor (a characteristic of Richard Mille automatic movements), while the RM 35-03's new butterfly rotor allows the wearer to change the rotor geometry itself and the winding accordingly. Movement speed to control his lifestyle and physical activity. This is a complication that is both fun and useful.

“Previously, any changes to the rotor geometry had to be made by one of our authorized watchmakers. We wanted to perfect this system to give the wearer the opportunity to directly influence the winding speed of the watch.” Richard Mille Movement Technical Manager Salvador Arbona explains.

"It's like the driver switching the transmission from city driving to the track by activating Sport mode."
The butterfly rotor consists of two grade 5 titanium arms equipped with heavy metal counterweights and is actuated by a separate gear train via a special pusher. In its initial position, the counterweight section causes the center of gravity to move radially outward and converts any movement of the wearer into the torque required to wind the barrel.

However, if you press the pusher at 7 o'clock, the rotor gear spreads the two counterweights at an angle of 180°. The center of gravity is realigned and the rotor is balanced, interrupting the winding process and preventing over-winding of the movement.

When switching between settings - from normal mode where the barrel hairspring is wound to 'sport mode' where rotor activity is interrupted - the trigger function button provides tactile feedback, allowing the wearer to pop it open and actually feel it on the wrist weight part.

The winding indicator at 6 o'clock on the dial shows whether the rotor is activated (ON) or not (OFF).
Motion control is accomplished by the function selector. By pressing the pusher at 2 o'clock, the user can toggle between the winding (W), neutral (N) and time setting (H) functions.

The RM 35-03 has elegant and ergonomic lines and is available in two versions: made of blue Quartz TPT® with a white Quartz-TPT® housing middle part, and in white Quartz TPT® and carbon TPT®, Case with carbon-TPT® The hollow design in the middle of the case is inspired by the RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal.

Thanks to the sapphire crystals on the front and back, the skeletonized movement can be admired from both sides. Grade 5 titanium plates and bridges treated with gray plasma and PVD accentuate the unique appearance of this watch.

Skeletonized hands run along the outer edge, also made of finely sandblasted grade 5 titanium, and feature the numerals 3, 6, 9 and 12, which are slightly tilted towards the movement to create more clarity. depth. The unique appearance of both watches visually highlights the technical capabilities of the RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal Automatic watch.

For technology fans: technical features of the RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal automatic watch
The RM 35-03 Rafael Nadal automatic watch is available in two versions:
Model made of white quartz TPT® and carbon TPT®, middle part made of carbon TPT®
Blue quartz TPT® material model, the middle part of the case is made of white quartz TPT® material
Case size: 43.15 x 49.95 x 13.15mm
Housing Material: Made of Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT® - both materials have a unique appearance. The elegant texture of its surface comes from layers of parallel filaments separated from bundles of carbon fibers or silica. These layers are no more than 45 microns thick and are impregnated with synthetic resin. They are woven together using special machines that change the direction of the fibers by 45°. The materials are heated to 120° under a pressure of 6 bar and then processed on CNC machines in the Richard Mille watch case factory.
The housing is water-resistant to a depth of 50 meters thanks to two nitrile O-ring seals. It is assembled from 20 grade 5 titanium spline screws and wear-resistant 316L stainless steel washers.
The crown is made from grade 5 titanium and carbon TPT® with a rubber O-ring seal.
internal height ring
Upper flange: hour markers filled with approved luminous material
Lower height ring: Made of fine sandblasted grade 5 titanium, black treated glass
Crystal/Bezel sides: Sapphire crystal (1,800 Vickers hardness) with anti-reflective coating (both sides) Height: 1.50 mm
Crystal/case back: Sapphire crystal (1,800 Vickers hardness) with anti-reflective coating (both sides) Height: 1.20 mm
plant:

Caliber RMAL2: Skeletonized automatic movement with hours, minutes, seconds, patented butterfly rotor, sport mode and function selector. Power reserve approximately 55 hours (±10%)
The plates and bridges are made of grade 5 titanium, coated with black PVD and treated with plasma technology. It provides the entire assembly with a high level of rigidity and an absolutely flat surface, which is essential for optimal operation of the gear train. The skeleton plates and bridges undergo intensive and comprehensive validation testing to optimize their resilience.
Function selector: With the push-button at 2 o'clock, you can quickly and easily select between neutral, winding and setting hand functions, similar to a car's gearshift. The hand at 2 o'clock indicates the selected function.
An on/off indicator at 6 o'clock tells the owner whether the rotor is activated.
How it works ON mode: The rotor opens and winds the barrel.
How it works Off mode: Both counterweights are extended. The rotor is not working properly.
Dual barrel system: This system helps improve the stability of power transmission over a longer period of time. By distributing the stored energy between the two barrels, the torque is balanced and friction on the bearings and journals reduced. This will significantly improve performance in the long run.
Butterfly rotor: The Richard Mille RM 35-03 features a new patented butterfly rotor, which allows the wearer to optimize the winding movement of the rotor to suit their lifestyle. The rotor arms are made of grade 5 titanium, and the flywheel is made of metal and mounted in ceramic ball bearings for one-sided counterclockwise winding.

Richard Mille's patented butterfly rotor gives the wearer the opportunity to change the geometry of the rotor himself and control the winding of the movement according to his or her lifestyle and sporting activities.
The butterfly rotor consists of two counterweights made of grade 5 titanium and metal. In its initial position, the counterweight causes a radial shift in the center of gravity, thereby generating the torque required to wind the barrel.
Simply pressing the pusher at 7 o'clock activates the independent gear train, moving the two weights 180°. The center of gravity is thus shifted to the center, balancing the rotor and counteracting its winding force, thereby preventing the movement from over-winding.
Sport mode: When the pusher at 7 o'clock is pressed, the butterfly rotor made of grade 5 titanium spreads its wings. Once deployed, the inertia of the rotor changes and the winding process stops, for example during sporting activities. By triggering the button again, the rotor becomes fully functional again and winds the mainspring. If necessary, the invention can optimize the winding mechanism of the movement.


Automatic watches wind themselves by the movement of the wrist. Richard Mille believed that too much or too little movement would adversely affect the energy stored in the barrel. Providing the correct energy to the barrel is essential for optimal function of the watch.

Free-oscillating balance with variable moment of inertia: This type of balance represents the highest level of innovation. It provides greater reliability in the event of a shock and when installing and removing the movement, resulting in improved long-term accuracy. The return hand is eliminated and instead four small adjustable weights are mounted directly on the balance wheel, allowing for more precise and repeatable adjustment.
Grade 5 Titanium Spline Screws for Bridges and Case: This allows for better control of the torque applied to the screws when tightening them. This means they are unaffected by human intervention when assembled or disassembled and show little sign of aging.
Movement dimensions: 31.25 x 29.45 mm, height: 5.92 mm, 38 jewels. The barrel shaft is made of AP-20 steel. Balance: Glucydur®, 2 arms and 4 adjusting screws, moment of inertia 4.8 mg·cm2, angle of elevation 53° – Frequency: 28,800 a/h (4 Hz) – elinvar balance spring, INCABLOC shockproof 908.22.211.100 (transparent)
Movement finishing: Plate made of wet-blasted grade 5 titanium with gray plasma treatment - Bridges made of hand-ground grade 5 titanium, wet-blasted and coated with Titalyt® or PVD - Thread profile handmade Polished - Rolled pin - Pinion steel parts with undercut - Screw grooves and screws chamfered with polished and rounded tips - Striped grinding on top - Fine sand blasted on bottom Wheels - Beaded and Diamond cut corners and rhodium plated, chamfered wheels (before teeth are cut) – minimal modifications to the wheels to maintain geometry and performance.
​