Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City coach, was recently spotted wearing one of Richard Mille’s most exclusive watches during the match against Real Madrid. The watch in question is the 27-01, a special edition timepiece designed as a tribute to Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal. Only 50 units were produced worldwide, and Guardiola is one of the few known owners.
This particular watch comes with a hefty price tag of $1.4 million, making it inaccessible to most people, even celebrities. Despite its high price, Guardiola proudly wore the Richard Mille wristwatch during the first leg of Man City’s Champions League quarter-final, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Aside from its stunning appearance, the Richard Mille 27-01 is also known for being the lightest mechanical watch in the world. This was a deliberate objective of the brand, founded by Frenchman Richard Mille in 2001. The watch weighs a mere 18.83g, including the strap, thanks to the use of materials like grade five titanium, aluminium, and lithium.
The Richard Mille 27-01 is not just a fashionable accessory; it is also built to withstand acceleration exceeding 5,000G. Its delicate and sophisticated design is based on meticulously assembled tension cables. Adjusting the tension is crucial to ensure the proper functioning of the mechanism.
Originally priced at $860,000, this watch has almost doubled in value over time. The fact that sports professionals like Nadal and Guardiola wear it adds to its exclusivity and cements its status as a representation of cutting-edge watchmaking.
In conclusion, Pep Guardiola’s choice to wear the Richard Mille 27-01 during the match against Real Madrid showcases his appreciation for luxury timepieces and his status as one of the lucky few who can afford such an exclusive watch.