Rafael Nadal, known as the “King of Clay,” is celebrated not only for his powerful strokes and record-breaking Grand Slam titles but also for his taste in luxury watches, often worth millions of dollars. Throughout his illustrious career, Nadal has worn several high-end timepieces, most notably from his partnership with Richard Mille, with some watches valued at $2-3 million on the secondary market
A Game-Changing Partnership with Richard Mille
On October 10th, Rafael Nadal officially closed the chapter on his 20-year professional tennis career, leaving fans in awe of his achievements. Alongside his impressive victories, Nadal became famous for wearing luxury timepieces during his matches, a tradition he started in 2010 when he became the brand ambassador for Richard Mille.
Their collaboration began with a bang when Nadal wore a watch during a match for the first time — the RM 27, which now fetches over $1.5 million on the resale market. At the time of its release, the RM 27 was the lightest watch ever made, showcasing Richard Mille’s dedication to groundbreaking innovation.
The Iconic Million-Dollar Watches of Rafael Nadal
RM 27-01 (2013): This model took over the title of the lightest watch in the world upon its release, with only 50 pieces ever produced. A masterpiece in horological engineering, an RM 27-01 was sold at Christie’s auction for $1.3 million.
RM 27-02 (2015): Nadal wore this model during several key events in 2016. Initially retailing for $775,000, this limited edition watch has since appreciated to nearly $2 million due to its innovative use of high-tech materials.
RM 27-03 (2017): Celebrating Nadal’s 10th French Open victory, the RM 27-03 featured a vibrant red and yellow design, reflecting the colors of the Spanish flag. This exclusive edition now starts at $1.6 million on the market.
RM 27-04 (2020): To mark the 10th anniversary of their partnership, Richard Mille introduced the RM 27-04, made with TitaCarb, a groundbreaking material combining carbon fiber and polyamide. The watch is currently valued between $2.5 million to $3 million and remains a collector’s favorite.
RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon (2024): At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nadal debuted what may be the final chapter in his collaboration with Richard Mille, the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon. Limited to just 80 pieces, this masterpiece carries a retail price of $1.2 million.
A Champion’s Taste for Timeless Luxury
Throughout his career, Rafael Nadal has not only defined himself as a tennis legend but also as a style icon, known for wearing ultra-luxurious, cutting-edge watches on the court. His collaboration with Richard Mille has set a new standard for high-performance timepieces, blending the precision of Nadal’s gameplay with the elegance and innovation of Swiss watchmaking.
With 11 exclusive watches released during their partnership, Nadal’s name has become synonymous with Richard Mille’s pioneering designs, a testament to both the athlete’s unyielding spirit and the brand’s relentless pursuit of perfection.
