The Richard Mille RM 38-01 Tourbillon G-Sensor Bubba Watson is a technical marvel specifically engineered to withstand the extreme forces of a professional golf swing. The timepiece features a 42.70mm by 49.94mm tonneau-shaped case crafted from advanced materials like Quartz TPT and titanium, which provide a distinctive layered aesthetic in white and green. This composite construction ensures the watch remains exceptionally lightweight and durable, maintaining structural rigidity while weighing significantly less than traditional sports watches. The skeletonized architecture of the manual-winding calibre RM38-01 is visible through sapphire crystals on both the front and back, revealing grade 5 titanium bridges and plates treated with PVD for enhanced resistance.
The watch’s primary complication is a world-first mechanical G-sensor located at the 12 o’clock position, which can record and display acceleration forces up to 20G generated during a swing. This sensor is comprised of over 50 moving parts and can be easily reset via a dedicated pusher at 9 o’clock. Complementing this is a manual-winding tourbillon escapement designed for precision timekeeping under intense motion. The movement provides a power reserve of approximately 48 hours and is supported by a fast-rotating barrel to ensure consistent torque delivery. Despite its technical complexity, the watch maintains a water resistance rating of 50 meters, suitable for its intended environment on the golf course.
General reviews of the RM 38-01 emphasize its status as a pinnacle of performance-driven horology, often highlighting the audacity of placing a delicate tourbillon in a high-impact sports environment. Collectors and enthusiasts frequently praise the innovative use of Quartz TPT and the unique utility of the G-sensor for athletes. While the design is sometimes described as polarizing due to its bold green and white color palette and asymmetrical flying bridges, it is widely respected for the immense engineering required to make a mechanical watch survive 20G forces. Its extreme scarcity, with a limited production of only 50 pieces, has made it a legendary and highly coveted item on the secondary market.