At Timepiece Trading, LLC, we admire when watchmaking pushes past convention. The Richard Mille RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal exemplifies this spirit—an instrument designed for performance, resilience, and striking aesthetics.
Three Years in the Making: The Butterfly Rotor
The highlight of the RM 35-03 is the patented butterfly rotor, a world-first that gives the wearer direct control over the movement’s winding.
With a push of the button at 7 o’clock, the rotor’s weights extend outward into “Sport Mode,” balancing the mechanism and temporarily halting automatic winding. An ON/OFF indicator at 6 o’clock makes it simple to see whether the winding system is engaged.
This mechanism allows wearers to fine-tune energy transmission depending on activity—a level of interaction rarely seen in haute horlogerie.
The Engine: Calibre RMAL2 — A Masterclass in Skeletonised Horological Engineering
Movement Architecture & Performance Specs
The Calibre RMAL2 is a fully skeletonised automatic movement that brings the mechanics of timekeeping to life, showcasing hours, minutes, and seconds in motion like a symphony of precision.
Beating at 4 Hz (28,800 vph), it achieves the perfect balance between accuracy and long-term durability, while its double-barrel system provides a steady flow of energy for enhanced chronometric stability.
With a power reserve of approximately 55 hours (±10%), this movement is designed not only for reliability but also for consistent performance over time.
Material Science & Structural Integrity
Cut from Grade 5 titanium and fortified with black PVD and electroplasma finishes, the baseplate and bridges deliver exceptional stiffness and shock resistance for life at the limit.
Each component is then rigorously validated, ensuring the movement absorbs high-impact stresses while maintaining unwavering stability.
The Butterfly Rotor & Sport Mode Innovation
The Butterfly Rotor is one of the watch’s standout features. It uses two titanium-and-metal weights that sit together in normal mode, shifting the balance to keep the movement winding smoothly.
Hit the button at 7 o’clock and Sport Mode kicks in—the weights swing out 180°, re-centering the rotor and stopping the winding. Perfect for high-intensity activity, since it keeps the movement from over-torquing.
To make it simple, a clear ON/OFF display at 6 o’clock shows you the rotor’s status instantly.
Function Selector: A Gearbox Feel
Just like shifting gears in a car, the function selector is operated with a pusher at 2 o’clock. It switches between three modes—W for winding, N for neutral, and H for hand-setting. A small red hand shows you which mode you’re in.
Free-Sprung Balance with Variable Inertia
At its core, the movement runs on a free-sprung balance with four small adjustable weights. Instead of relying on a traditional regulator, the timing is set directly on the balance, which makes it tougher against shocks and keeps the watch more accurate in everyday wear.
Jewel Count & Finishing Touches
With 38 synthetic rubies built in, the movement reduces friction so the gears stay smooth, the oil lasts longer, and the watch keeps its precision year after year.
On top of that, touches like blued titanium, micro-blasted edges, and chamfered bridges give the skeletonized design the perfect balance of strength and style.
Engineering with Titanium
The baseplate and bridges are built from Grade 5 titanium and finished with black PVD and electroplasma coatings. This gives the movement extra strength, lasting durability, and precise gear alignment—key to keeping it running flawlessly.
Every part is tested thoroughly to handle anything from everyday wear to the impact of high-intensity sports.
New Colorways: Technical Art with Presence
With the RM 35-03, Richard Mille highlights its engineering through two standout case designs: Blue Quartz TPT® with a White Quartz TPT® caseband, and White Quartz TPT® paired with Carbon TPT®.
These materials aren’t just eye-catching. Quartz TPT® and Carbon TPT® are built by layering and fusing composites, which makes the cases incredibly strong yet lightweight. The process also leaves behind natural, one-of-a-kind patterns across the surface. The blue and white combo feels bright and modern, while the Carbon TPT® version gives off a stealth, sporty vibe.
On top of the looks, both versions are built to handle the demands of a true performance watch.
Editorial Reflection
The RM 35-03 shows exactly what Richard Mille is known for—pushing the limits of both engineering and design. Its butterfly rotor is more than just a feature; it changes the way you connect with the watch.
Add in the bold new colorways, and this model feels fresh while still fitting right into the Richard Mille lineup.
It’s built for anyone who wants top-level performance without making a single trade-off.
Disclaimer
Timepiece Trading, LLC is not affiliated with Richard Mille. All brand names, models, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
