RICHARD MILLE | RAFAEL NADAL, REF.RM27-01 ANCA, A VERY RARE LIMITED PROTOTYPE PRODUCTION AS-NEW CARBON SKELETONISED TOURBILLON WRISTWATCH, CIRCA 2014

Footnotes

In 2008, Richard Mille partnered with tennis legend Rafael Nadal to deliver the first of what would be one of the most iconic collaborations in watchmaking history. The RM27, at the time the world's lightest tourbillon wristwatch captivated audiences, combining breakthrough technologies and materials allowing the watch to withstand levels of shock and force unseen at the time.

In 2013 the brand took a giant leap forward with the creation of the RM27-01. Constructed of an ultra-lightweight case, made of grey anthracite polymer injected with carbon nanotubes, the timepiece tops out at just under 19 grams including the strap. In fact, the strap is shockingly heavier than the entire watch case itself. This reduction in weight was further achieved using a super lightweight grade 5 titanium and aluminium-lithium alloy for the movement, allowing it to weigh in at a mind-boggling 3.5 grams.

But the true innovation of the RM27-01, as with its predecessor, is found in its shock absorption capabilities. Through the implementation of four 3.5mm thick braided steel cables, anchored to a tensioner, the movement is suspended in its case allowing it to remain free from any shocks or forces that impact the case. The result: a watch that is capable of withstanding accelerations upwards of 5000 G, or any extreme movements that are typical during a tennis match. Nadal himself tested the watch throughout the tennis season, and the watch remained functioning without issue, with the ultralight weight allowing full freedom of movement during gameplay.

The owner of this timepiece, an avid lover of sports, describes the first time he saw an advertisement for tennis legend Rafael Nadal wearing the watch during matches on tour. He immediately flew to Geneva to search for his grail piece. Upon finally visiting the maison, locating the watch and agreeing to purchase, he was also offered the super rare RM 56-01 Tourbillon Sapphire. Yet his strong passion for sports swayed him to choose RM27-01 Rafael Nadal, and it was a decision he did not regret as he loved the timepiece and the amazing feeling on the wrist.

Most RM27-01s are exceedingly rare as they are part of a limited series of 50 pieces that when announced were almost instantly sold out. This example is even more rare as its engraving on the back "PROTO-06" denotes it is one of the extremely few prototypes created for the reference. The watch is in "as new" condition and is the only example we have seen with a guaranteed warranty until 2026. Given all the innovations found in this iconic timepiece, one can be sure that it is ready for the next adventure or tennis match on the wrist of its next fortuitous owner. Bonhams Hong Kong is proud to present the game-changing Richard Mille RM27-01 for our Hong Kong Watches Spring Sale, a truly groundbreaking release that will continue to captivate the horology world for years to come.

網壇傳奇球星Rafael Nadal自2008年開始攜手Richard Mille展開了堪稱製錶歷史中最具代表性的一場合作。RM27在多項突破性技術與材質加持下，成為史上第一只能夠承受網球揮拍衝擊與震動力的腕錶，並且一舉寫下當時最輕陀飛輪腕錶的世界紀錄，風靡無數錶友與球迷。

Richard Mille在五年後推出再度進化的RM27-01，超輕量化錶殼由注入奈米碳管中的灰色聚合物製成，加上錶帶的總重量還不到19公克。事實上，錶殼本身的重量甚至還比錶帶更輕一些。機芯則以五級鈦金屬和鋁鋰為結構，重量只有驚人的3.5公克，更進一步達到輕量化效果。

RM27-01及其前一代RM27最具突破性的創新技術在於承受衝擊的能力。四條3.5毫米粗的編織鋼索懸掛於錶殼內與張力器連接，將機芯懸吊在錶殼中間，因此當腕錶受到震動時，機芯可免於衝擊力影響。RM27-01可承受網球比賽中任何激烈動作所帶來的震動，甚至能承受高達5000G的衝力。Rafael Nadal本人曾配戴RM27-01，親自測試其實戰性，超輕盈的設計讓他能夠在比賽中自由揮灑球技，整個賽季下來腕錶也依然運作正常。

原錶主是一位運動賽事的狂熱粉絲，據他描述是在廣告中注意到Rafael Nadal於網球巡迴賽事中配戴RM27-01，他當下立刻飛往日內瓦追尋這只堪稱聖盃的創新錶款，最終得以親訪Richard Mille總廠。當時品牌表示願意提供另一只極罕見的RM56-01水晶錶殼陀飛輪腕錶讓他做選擇，然而熱愛運動的他沒有絲毫動搖，毅然地選擇RM27-01。直至今日仍未對這個決定後悔，且依然驚艷於RM27-01戴上手腕的感受。

由於只限量生產50只，而且又在發表後立刻售罄，RM27-01在市場中極度罕見。不過本拍品又比一般RM27-01更為稀有，底蓋上刻有「PROTO-06」字樣，意味著它是品牌當初為了這個型號所試作的原型款，實是千載難逢。品相幾近全新，更是截至目前為止市場中唯一一只保固期限直至2026年才會到期的RM27-01。有各種創新技術加持，這只具有跨時代意義的腕錶品絕對已準備好與下一位擁有者展開一段全新冒險。香港邦瀚斯很榮幸能在本次春季拍賣中為您呈現這一只顛覆了製錶準則的作品，其開創性地位勢必在未來更全面地風靡整個鐘錶收藏領域。