Founded in the middle of a global watch industry crisis during 1976, Raymond Weil’s small company which bears his name has become his living vision of what a Swiss watchmaker should be. Now operated by a third-generation with Elie Bernheim at the helm (the grandson of Raymond Weil), the founding family has ensured both succession and stability with a guaranteed continuity of leadership. Maintaining their independence and incorporating creativity, know-how, and global accessibility, Raymond Weil has become a flagship of the Swiss watchmaking industry. Perhaps no single collection of their timepieces incorporates all that Raymond Weil represents quite like the Freelancer.
Launched in 2007, the Freelancer is designed for the man who controls his own destiny. Both free-spirited and classic, the Freelancer family of timepieces is an eclectic mix of complications and functional design. Raymond Weil has constructed the Freelancer collection for those looking for a classic wristwatch with a modern urban twist. It should then come as no surprise that the 2019 models by the timepiece maker continue the history of the collection by freeing themselves of all constraints and creating something completely unique. Reinvented for the new release, the Freelancer of 2019 highlights a distinctive half-moon opening which tracks the date monthly across a crescent-shaped curve on the watch face.
These two iterations of the Raymond Weil Freelancer are made for both aesthetic and function, offered in 42.5mm diameter and featuring Raymond Weil’s signature RW monogram on the crown.
Freelancer Half-Moon Stainless Steel and Blue
Constructed of stainless steel and featuring a double-push security system folding clasp, the freelancer is powered by the Sellita SW260 mechanical automatic winding movement. The 42.5 mm stainless steel case is 10.7mm thick and features a sapphire crystal screwed-down case back. The deep galvanic blue dial is punctuated by silver indexes with luminescent white Super-Luminova® and features a small second hand on a dial placed at the six o’clock position. A 38-hour power reserve and water resistance to 10 ATM allows the Freelancer to handle nearly any day-to-day situation. Perhaps the most striking feature is the half-moon opening date display window which runs along the face in an arc from the nine o’clock to three o’clock position. The date is displayed by a marker which moves along the arc denoting the current date. An example of classic styling and modern flair, the stainless steel and blue freelancer by Raymond Weil lis a stunning reflection of Swiss watchmaking.
Freelancer Half-Moon Two-Tone
Appealing to those searching for a classic design in modern watchmaking, the Freelancer two-tone delivers with an elegant black dial offset by a rose gold PVD plated stainless steel case. Powered by the same SW260 mechanical automatic winding movement as its counterpart Freelancer Half-Moon, the two-tone is housed in a 42.5mm case and finished with a two-tone stainless steel and yellow gold PVD plated bracelet with double push-security system folding clasp closure. The black galvanic coated dial showcases a central zone in “Clou de Paris” texture which showcases a sixty-second dial at six o’clock. The gold indexes and gold hands create a striking dynamic on the black dial and feature white Super-Luminova®. Featuring the arched half-moon date display, the date is marked by a luminous white marker which slides along the arch on a black background. The classic two-tone design provides a touch of warmth and modernity to this timepiece.
Whether you are looking for a modern Swiss timepiece, a contemporary design, or classic flair, the Raymond Weil Freelancer delivers. Building on five decades of family drive and dedication to independent watchmaking, Raymond Weil brings the Freelancer to the gentleman who controls his own destiny, free of constraints and consistently reinterpreting himself. What a wonderful place to be, as a watch company, and as a watch owner.
