Thanks for a great write-up, Andrew! Not everyone can reference Kundera, Neruda, Pullman, and the MacDougall theory all in one article...
...about a wristwatch.
I sense that the RM027 is more than a watch for you, but is rather a tangible expression of the horological philosophies that you find admirable; with Richard Mille being a great exponent of those values.
I have not always understood the attraction of Mille's watches, until the Boucheron pieces, which I found elegant, colorful and magical, but this new RM027 is desirable to me for exactly the opposite reasons. I find it brutal, earthy, and strong (I mean these adjectives to be positive). The suspended 3D quality of the movement is quite lovely, and there's a beautiful starkness to it. I'm a tennis fan, and will certainly be following Rafa's matches for more than just his tennis now. I'll be curious to see how the watch performs over time. This would be a great timepiece upon which to do a series of follow-up articles.
I'm enjoying this watch, and hope to see it in person.
Cheers,
Daos