‘The Incredible Lightness of Being … Richard Mille’: the RM027.

Apr 03, 2010,07:12 AM
 


The essence of the ‘Lightness of Being’ is that events are not repeatable. The mundane, the expected, the repetitive nature of life weighs you down; you become heavy. Just when you thought you had seen it all, just when you wondered where Richard Mille could go next, he comes right back at you with the lightest watch (including the strap) that you could hope to see, or feel. Lighter than the weight of the soul of the wearer, the RM027 watch is the definition of lightness in every sense. In the belief that ‘light’ events only come along once, by chance, and that when that moment comes along you feel light; a joy in seeing the watch, strapping it to your wrist, is where the RM027 rises above other watches. You just cannot help smiling. Perhaps the RM027 is Pablo Neruda’s physical representation that "Laughter is the language of the soul".







To prove a point on the lightness and robustness of the watch, to show that it could be done, and to strap it to the racket arm of one of the world’s most powerful hitters of a tennis ball, Richard put it all on the line. A tourbillon, which Richard has always maintained is a good escapement for absorbing shocks, and a suspension mechanism (made of titanium aluminide) built into the case provides a watch capable of withstanding repeated 100 G-force shocks, and yet make the watch light enough so as not to burden the player, then you have the basic remit for the latest technical tour de force from Richard Mille.



Launched this week, in what was one of the most talked about secrets in the watch industry, the player to be wearing this ultra-light watch is none other than Rafael Nadal. Nadal hits the ball as hard as any other player in the world, and has been testing the watch under armbands for the past few months. It is not that the watch has to withstand a one-off shock of 100G, but continual and perpetual shocks over the course of several hours. The watch had better be working too as most of the world’s sports photographers will have images of the watch on high resolution camera’s, and if the watch does not measure the minutes and the hours, in line with other clocks over the scoreboard, then it is sure to be found out. For this reason, last I talked to the research and development team at Richard Mille, the watch had been tested up to 400G, and they were planning to try for 1000G. Seems improbable, but they were facing the testing with confidence. This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2010-04-03 07:53:02 This message has been edited by 219 on 2010-04-13 12:47:05


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First Contact

 
 By: 219 : April 3rd, 2010-07:12
I first came into contact with the plans for the watch over a year ago. Richard was in London for some business with retailers, and I had the chance to talk to him. As the conversation moved from one topic to another, I asked him what was new. A glint in ...  

His Dark Materials

 
 By: 219 : April 3rd, 2010-07:13
At the research part of Richard Mille in Les Breuleux I was shown the various materials that had been tested, and found that they were either to be not durable enough, or not light enough; sometimes a combination of both. A veritable smorgasbord of new ma...  

Lightness

 
 By: 219 : April 3rd, 2010-07:14
Just about the whole movement is made from titanium aluminide. While the finish is the ‘industrial’ Richard Mille variety, it matches with the nature of the watch itself. The black back plate gives a stunning relief to the 3-dimensional aspect of the move...  

Fantastic watch!

 
 By: Allen : April 3rd, 2010-08:11
20 grams! I love it. I'll be watching tennis more closely now for sure! Thanks Andrew!

It is a fantastic watch - get to see it if you can Allen. I believe

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-12:52
that the debut will be at the French Open, but dont quote me on that as I am not sure. Thanks Andrew H

Awesomeness! I am loving light watches more and more...

 
 By: ThomasM : April 3rd, 2010-09:45
Funny how 8 years ago I passed on a very rare Ti Sonnerie en Passant because it was too light! Very, very cool... Just one small niggling issue for me, though...it is a little too uncomfortably reminiscent of the Three Golden Bridges. Just a little... Tha... 

Thanks for the kind words Thomas - more than

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-12:55
3 bridges because of the way the movement is suspended from the top of the case and the lack of the base plate to pin the 3 bridges. Here the bridges/suspension are integral. Further, the 3 dimensional aspect of this movement is far more pronounced. Get t... 

Literate and emotional

 
 By: dxboon : April 3rd, 2010-09:50
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 th... 

Daos - many thanks for the kind words and your own review..

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-13:01
you should get to see the watch if you can. This is very much my philosophy for a sports watch and for the purpose it was intended. Richard is the expert exponent of this genre and he has pushed the frontier further than anyone. I admire his 'lets see if ... 

Great to see you here again John - get yourself down to

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-13:02
the NY dealer and see it - worth the mileage across town! Cheers Andrew H

I definitely will. (nt)

 
 By: ei8htohms : April 5th, 2010-13:12
Nt

Wouldn't a left handed version be better?

 
 By: Talleyrand : April 4th, 2010-06:38
..since Rafa is left handed. Besides, With all the sweating involved, another type of case shape might be better. Having said this I find the watch absolutely beautiful. Take out the tourbillon, add a reasonable price and sell it as a limited edition and ... 

No - the idea is that he wears it on the raquet hand...

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-13:06
as most of the world is right handed, then it makes sense to keep the crown where it is. But true on the allure of the piece. Thanks for reading. Andrew H

RM does it again.

 
 By: Davo : April 4th, 2010-21:26
What a piece of work! Not sure about that strap but everything else just says "yes!" to me. Thanks for sharing.

RM does! Strap is necessary because of the weight

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-13:09
and the need to be able to adjust it securely during a match if necessary (kept in place with velcro). Thanks for reading Davo. Andrew H

I love that strap!

 
 By: micro : April 22nd, 2010-18:53
I hope they make it available for for other models

No idea I am afraid. My bet is that they might, and if you

 
 By: 219 : April 23rd, 2010-06:55
are really interested, ask your dealer. That way, the wishes of the consumer will feed back directly to Richard Mille watches; enough demand, and the more likely it is to happen! Cheers Andrew H

Cool concept....

 
 By: DRMW : April 6th, 2010-11:26
Thanks for the photos and bringing the latest news from Richard Mille! It's great seeing creative, new, and innovative ways for technical solutions. I look forward in seeing the final project and how well it does in the hands of Nadel. -MW

Thanks MW - I too will be interested in seeing

 
 By: 219 : April 7th, 2010-14:38
how it looks and performs on Nadals wrist. Cheers Andrew H

You're understood!

 
 By: Dje : April 6th, 2010-14:42
Andrew, This watch is indeed amazing! Once again I shall repeat my invitation for lunch. If Mr Mille is around in south Brittany I may invite him for some pancakes (but he must bring the watch of course). Cheers Dje

Sounds great! I am sure he will read the message. I think

 
 By: 219 : April 7th, 2010-14:40
the problem is finding the time. Try to see (and feel) the RM027 if you can. Is a fabulous watch. Thanks for reading Andrew H

Elementary . . .

 
 By: Dr No : April 6th, 2010-21:56
. . . in the purest sense. The watches that hold the greatest resonance for me are those that challenge physical limits. Antimagnetic designs - particularly the Milgauss, but also many others - hold a special fascination as magnetism is the most mysteriou... 

Thanks Art - appreciate the comments and yes, I think it is

 
 By: 219 : April 7th, 2010-14:42
because Richard's watches push the limits (with the design) that makes them so exciting. Andrew H

Wow what an awesome watch

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : April 7th, 2010-11:43
Kudos to Richard Mille on this RM027! So now we have a watch we can safely wear when we play tennis, golf, basketball, etc. Simply awesome! Cheers, Anthony

Yes, but would you do it with the

 
 By: 219 : April 7th, 2010-14:45
price set where it is? I often wonder about this. I would opt for the positive - using the watch in the arena for which it has been designed, rather than leaving it in the safe. For the same reason that individuals (like Richard Mille and Dominique Guerna... 

If I could afford the RM027, I would most definitely wear it

 
 By: AnthonyTsai : April 9th, 2010-06:02
when playing tennis or golf. Money would not be an issue, so I could afford whatever the repair bill is once the 2-yr warranty period is over - AT

Thanks !

 
 By: cisco : April 24th, 2010-03:07
Great review of this RM027. I didn't like all the recent novelties but this 027 is Richard Mille at his best. Architecture, lightness, modern in every kind of way and coherent like no other. Fantastic !

Thanks Cisco - great watch - get to see it if you can: its

 
 By: 219 : April 25th, 2010-02:01
worth the trip! Cheers Andew H

Flawless!

 
 By: VMM : April 3rd, 2010-09:52
You already know what I think about it. Speechless. Thanks for the report. Great pics. Vte

Great report, Andrew!

 
 By: Chris Agostino : April 3rd, 2010-10:43
What a wonderful watch. I've never been that into tennis but there is no doubt I'll be scanning the internet for photos of Nadal wearing this beauty. It is great to see Richard Mille pushing the boundaries once again. Quick question, does the strap use a ... 

Thanks Chris - yes, velcro to adjust securely and keep the

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-13:14
watch in place. Glad you enjoyed the read. Andrew H

Thanks for sharing...

 
 By: Rob : April 3rd, 2010-15:19
while no one can dispute the technical prowess of RM, I can only wish that they did away with Nadal's name in front. Still a great watch and another breakthrough for RM!! Thanks again for sharing...

Thanks for the report Andrew.

 
 By: SJX : April 3rd, 2010-23:19
There is too much plastic in that watch. But admittedly it is cool - kudos to Richard. - SJX

It is a cool watch - the plastic is being altered as this

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-13:17
is only the prototype. The watch to go to market will have a different casing material from the one in the photos and the one I think you saw in Geneve. Thanks for reading Andrew H

Shock Resistance

 
 By: greenecollector : April 4th, 2010-10:45
A beautiful watch and quite an achievement to get it to such a weight... Can you tell us about how is the shock reistance tested by the RM engineers? Thanks, John

The brutal kind - a large weight hits the watch and movement at

 
 By: 219 : April 5th, 2010-13:22
a certain velocity - velocity and mass provide the simulation for the G-force movement shock to the movement. The R&D crowd keep doing that until the movement stops or they decide to stop! Thanks Andrew H

wow amazing tech...

 
 By: chris4 : April 7th, 2010-00:59
..not too sure on the looks of this watch...hands etc look a bit like a meccano set to me, better in some pics than in others, would love to hold one/try one on though and just feel it.Thanks for posting the report, fantastic news that RM is cracking on w... 

Thanks Chris - believe me, if you saw this one in the flesh,

 
 By: 219 : April 7th, 2010-14:46
you would want it - it would make you smile! Andrew H

Very impressive

 
 By: ED209 : April 7th, 2010-17:41
Thanks Andrew for the cool pics of the RM027. Very impressive at under 20 grams including the strap, and to have Rafael Nadal wear it under real-world conditions during tennis matches. Imaging the g-forces just on the 129+ mph serves, and then continual s... 

As always Andrew...

 
 By: chris4 : April 9th, 2010-06:29
..indeed thankyou for this report & pictures, fantastic stuff. Looking forward to seeing some wrist shots of Mr Nadal playing tennis in one surfacing before too long hopefully

Thanks ED - I too will be watching the developments on this

 
 By: 219 : April 13th, 2010-12:42
watch with great interest - hope it brings Nadal some luck into the bargain. Thanks for reading Andrew H

Incredible... and a question about "shock-proofing"

 
 By: Vinontre : April 12th, 2010-19:02
Love this watch very much! It's an incredible watch at an incredible weight but at an incredible price... Does anyone know how "shock proof" the other watches in the RM line are? for example, how shock proof is the RM011? I know that it has the Incabloc p... 

Thanks C - they have been testing the watch, both

 
 By: 219 : April 13th, 2010-12:46
with the machines in the manufacture, and with it strapped to Nadal's wrist. They have tested up to 400G with no problems. As I said, its one thing to survive a one off shock, rather than repeated shocks (Nadal's wrist). The watch has survived both tests.... 

Nadal Wearing The RM027

 
 By: greenecollector : April 26th, 2010-08:07
In practise......  

Brilliant!! Well spotted. Thought he was supposed to

 
 By: 219 : April 26th, 2010-08:54
wear the watch on his raquet hand, but perhaps not, or perhaps getting used to it! Great find and thanks. Andrew H

Maybe this will explain it...

 
 By: greenecollector : April 26th, 2010-09:26
Nadal has played tennis left-handed since he was 11, but he uses his right hand to sign autographs, wave, play golf, turn on video games and react fast to most things that require a hand. “Watch,” he said to me in Spanish one afternoon this spring, noddin...  

Very cool explanation... like it and many thanks for

 
 By: 219 : April 26th, 2010-09:43
looking all this up. True about the two-handed back hand. The watch will be in for a punishing time whichever wrist it is on. Very cool find once again; and my thanks for posting it. Andrew H

Very interesting!!! I always thought Nadal's left handed...

 
 By: sidneyc : May 27th, 2010-22:12
.. but now it seems like he is naturally a right-hander, but trained his tennis around playing left-handed (which could be a good weapon against right-handers). Very interesting indeed!!