This spectacular ‘Diamond Red’ Richard Mille RM35-02 ‘RAFA’ is a good example of how Richard Mille uses traditional diamond-setting with avant-garde case materials. The present watch is, to the best of our knowledge, only the second example of this reference to be offered at any international auction. Manufactured from 2016, the RM35-02 ‘RAFA’ is part of the incredible collection of Richard Mille timepieces that bear the ‘Rafael Nadal’ name, extraordinary watches that are a byword for innovation, extreme lightness and shock-resistance.

The automatic RM35-02 ‘RAFA’ was available in either Carbon TPT or bright red Quartz-TPT. Called TPT (thin ply technology) quartz, its strength and lightness is unparalleled. The silicon layers are treated with a red matrix that is specially created for Richard Mille, then layered using an automatic system that changes the direction of the fibres in each layer by 45° and fused together at 120°C before it is machined into the desirable shape. The result is a case material that is extremely resistant to temperature changes, is hypoallergenic, and can withstand accelerations of up to 5,000 gs.

The RMAL1 calibre movement is equally impressive with baseplate and bridges in wet-sandblasted grade 5 titanium that have been PVD/Titalyt treated for exceptional rigidity. The movement is powered by a double-barrel system which provides greater torque stability. The self-winding mechanism is Richard Mille’s patented variable-geometry rotor which can be adjusted to suit the wearer’s level of activity.