The Richard Mille RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal is a high-performance luxury timepiece featuring a tonneau-shaped case crafted from Salmon Quartz TPT and pastel blue Quartz TPT. Measuring 43.15mm in width, 49.95mm lug-to-lug, and 13.15mm in thickness, the case is constructed from thin layers of silica fibers saturated with tinted resin and heated to create a unique striated finish for every unit. The watch is powered by the skeletonized Calibre RMAL2 automatic movement, which utilizes grade 5 titanium for its baseplate and bridges and provides a power reserve of approximately 55 hours through a double-barrel system. It offers a water resistance of 50 meters and is typically paired with a blue rubber strap.
This model introduces the innovative butterfly rotor complication, which allows the wearer to manually adjust the winding motion. By pressing a pusher at 7 o’clock, the rotor’s two wings spread into an X-shape, displacing the center of gravity to the middle and effectively neutralizing the automatic winding to protect the movement during high-impact sports. An indicator at 6 o’clock displays the status as Sport Mode “on” or “off.” Additionally, the watch features a function selector at 2 o’clock, which operates like a car’s gearbox to cycle between winding, neutral, and hand-setting modes, with the active state indicated on the dial at 2 o’clock.
General reviews of the RM 35-03 frequently praise its technical ingenuity and the tactile interaction provided by the butterfly rotor. Enthusiasts highlight the watch’s remarkable lightness and ergonomic comfort, noting that the curved case design sits well on various wrist sizes despite its bold proportions. While the salmon and blue color palette is regarded by some as a more refined aesthetic for the brand, the watch remains a polarizing “flex” piece due to its extreme market price and the perception of its high-tech materials as “toy-like.” Critics often point out that while the engineering is a bona fide achievement, the legibility of the skeletonized dial can be challenging, and the actual utility of the sport mode is viewed by some as a sophisticated but unnecessary mechanical solution.