Rafael Nadal Wears $1 Million Richard Mille Watch While Playing French Open

Spaniard Rafael Nadal is on the verge of tying Roger Federer’s record of 20 career Grand Slam titles if he can defeat Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s French Open final—he’s the betting favorite. Nadal didn’t drop a set in his first six matches at Roland Garros, all of which he played wearing a Richard Mille watch on his wrist that retails for $1.05 million. Nadal is the rare pro who competes wearing a watch.

Richard Mille released the RM 27-04 watch last month to mark the ten-year anniversary of its partnership with the tennis great. The watch weighs a scant 30 grams (or one ounce), including the strap, and is billed as the lightest tourbillon in the world. Nadal says his Richard Mille watch is a like a “second skin” to him.

The Swiss watch brand says the RM 27-04 construction was inspired by the same principles “as the strings of a tennis racquet.” It is a limited edition of only 50 watches. Nadal’s finals opponent, Djokovic, is affiliated with Seiko, although he waits until after matches to put on the watch, like most players. Seiko’s Novak Djokovic Astron GPS Solar retails for roughly $3,000, with 1,500 of the limited edition made.

Nadal and Richard Mille have a long history of wearing crazy expensive watches while he plays. He won his tenth French Open in 2017 with a $750,000 Richard Mille on his wrist—Nadal is gunning for his 13th French Open on Sunday. Nadal’s U.S. Open title run last year included a $725,000 watch.

Richard Mille focuses much of its sports sponsorships in the auto racing world but also partners with golfer Bubba Watson, soccer star Didier Drogba and sprinter Yohan Blake. Actors Margot Robbie and John Malkovich, as well as musician Pharrell Williams, are other celebrity endorsers.

Nadal ranked No. 27 this year on Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes with $40 million in the 12 months ending June 1. In addition to his $14 million in prize money, he earned an estimated $26 million off the court from appearance fees and endorsements with Nike

NKE
, Babolat, KIA Motors, Richard Mille, Santander and Telefónica.