Rafael Nadal’s Watch – The Most Expensive Gear Of His Body

Rafael Nadal is one of the most popular names in the tennis world, and the wider sports as well! The former World No. 1 from Mallorca, Spain became the first man in the ATP circuit to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles. This, however, is not the only significant achievement by the Spaniard, and his long and extremely illustrious career is only a testament to his success on the court!

Those who have been following him from his initial days in the professional circuit, have also noticed the gradual change that occurred in his style, not only in his game but also in terms of his wardrobe. He began by wearing a bandana, sleeveless shirts and three-quarter pants, often sporting bold designs. With time, however, his wardrobe has mellowed down. Given his popularity, Nike, his sponsor has also started creating exclusive collections for the superstar. What is comparatively a newer addition to his gear is the Richard Mille watch Rafa sports on his wrists.

When did Rafael Nadal start to wear a watch to matches?

The first time we wore a watch as a part of his gear at a match, was in the 2010 French Open, where he was debuting his first Richard Mille. However, they began their partnership back in 2008. Even though it might seem a simple enough deal, Richard Mille’s own website says that it was not easy to convince the Spaniard to start wearing watches on the court.

“Richard came to my house and showed me a model saying: ‘This is the watch that we made for you.’ The watch was in platinum so very heavy, I was very confused and didn’t realise that he was joking. As soon as I tried the real watch on, I loved it. We were on the same wavelength… The watch is now like a second skin for me,” Rafael Nadal said, about the watch, and the watchmaker, with who he now has a collaboration of more than a decade.

Nadal’s successful partnership with Richard Mille

Nadal has had quite a few sponsors who have been with him since his days as a rising star, on the tour. Even though his partnership with Richard Mille is not as old, it had now endured the test of time and proved to be a hugely successful endeavour.

When they first met in 2008, Rafael Nadal was reluctant to wear a watch. Come to think of it, not many athletes sport watches that often while they are competing, as the weight of the watch might be something interfering with their performance. But Mille, who personally went to Nadal’s house in Mallorca, wanted to create a watch strong enough to wear while playing, but light enough that Rafa would not feel it. He could ultimately persuade the Spaniard and since 2010, Nadal has not looked back. The statement piece has become a part of his look, and essential to the Rafael Nadal we see on the court!

Since then, World Number 3 Alexander Zverev has also become an ambassador for the brand.

“Rafa and I have a lifelong commitment. We are there, come rain or shine. It is more than just watchmaking–it’s life!” Richard Mille says.

RM 027 Tourbillon was the first Richard Mille watch Nadal wore on the court. They designed this keeping Nadal in mind and his profession in mind, and it was extremely lightweight, with a carbon composite case, and made of titanium and a unique alloy called LITAL.

Nadal and Mille’s collaboration has continued to stand both fans of tennis and watches. They followed up their first model with the RM 035 series in 2011, and since then they have been releasing improved generations of both models.

Also read: Rafael Nadal’s Logo – What Does the ‘Raging Bull’ Logo Signify?

Rafael Nadal’s most recent watch at the Australian Open 2022

Rafael Nadal made history recently at the Australian Open 2022. He persevered in a five-set epic battle against the World Number 2, Daniil Medvedev. Showcasing his usual grit and determination, the Spaniard bounced back from two sets down to win the title.

A constant on his wrist, throughout the tournament, was the news RM 27-04. This is an upgrade from the RM 27-03 watch that Nadal wore before this. The face of the watch has a steel cable strung across it which gives it the look of a tennis racquet. The fine mesh also acts as a suspension system, cushioning the mechanism inside from impact. Its suspended tourbillon caliber can withstand up to almost 1200 Gs. To put that in context, the most extreme ride at your amusement park can put up to 6-7 Gs on you.

This is especially important, to endure Nadal’s style of play, aggressive and powerful as it is. This edition of the RM 27 is only 30g in weight, making it one of the lightest watches ever made. The configuration of this watch is unprecedented, in horology, and is synchronous with the Spaniard’s athletic abilities.

Nadal once said in a press conference, that Richard Mille’s “watches that are amazingly resistant, because tennis can involve very violent arm and wrist movements.”

Also read: Why Nadal is the King of Clay

All you need to know about is Richard Mille

Richard Mille is a Swiss luxury watch company. Founded by Dominique Guenat and Richard Mille in 2001, The company manufactures ultra-high-end luxury watches, as well as clocks and children’s toys. The company is based in Les Breuleux, Switzerland. Richard Mille himself approached Nadal in 2008, to negotiate with him a deal, such that he would wear a watch designed especially for him, to his matches.

Why Richard Mille is so unique?

Richard Mille’s establishment as a top brand has a lot to do with its partnerships with several sports entities. Their first watch was introduced in 2001, and since then it has grown tremendously to now become the world’s seventh-largest luxury watch company by revenue at $875 million in 2020, as per Morgan Stanley. In 2020, the average Richard Mille watched retailed for $204,000 in 2020.

“After 10 years of partnership, and having spent time with Richard’s teams, I’m still fascinated by the talent, passion and unrelenting quest for excellence that are the hallmarks of the brand,” said Nadal in a statement. “Only a few people in the world are capable of achieving such a level of technical prowess.”

Is it the lightest Watch?

The watch that Rafael Nadal wears right now, is not the lightest watch ever, but another watch the duo had created as a part of their collaboration, the RM 27-01 holds records in this regard. It weighed only 19 grams, straps included.

Is it the most expensive watch ever worn by a tennis player?

This latest watch, which Rafael Nadal has been sporting for quite some time comes with a hefty price tag. The most recent model was introduced in 2020 and was a 50-piece limited edition, as many other watches released as a part of their collaboration have been. It had a price tag of $1,050,000 USD, although it has appreciated significantly since then.

Amongst the 50 limited pieces, one belongs to the famous rapper and singer Drake, also known as Champagne Papi. The 34-year-old posted about his Richard Mille acquisition on his Instagram story on Sunday, flaunting the ice blue RM 27-04. He also tagged the Spaniard in his post with the caption “RAFAAAAA.” This however is not the first time Drake has owned a Richard Mille, but it can be said that this one is different because of its association with Nadal.

Rafa’s relationship with the watch company clearly goes back a long time, and he once said that it had now grown beyond just a simple business partnership. “He is a really positive person and wants to drive the watchmaking industry forward, not just to sit back and enjoy his success. He seeks excellence, which I respect; in my tennis, I always try to be better and I work hard for that,’ he said.

During the partnership, there were 2 instances where Rafa lost his watch. The first was in 2008 and the second was in 2012. Sadly, when he lost the watch in 2008, the watch was never recovered. Their partnership, however, has been extremely smooth otherwise!