Creating traditional Swiss watches with a twist has always been Raymond Weil’s motivation behind each luxury watch. The company began its story back in 1976. While working for the family company Camy Watch Stroun Frères SA, Raymond Weil discovered his love for watchmaking. By expanding his distribution network across Europe, the company founder aspired to venture to America and did so with success. Unusually, the brand grew during a time when the quartz watch was increasing in popularity. Despite these more affordable wristwatches, loyal watch wearers continued to trust in Raymond Weil’s innovative, music-inspired spirit, enabling the brand to survive a turbulent period. Helping Raymond Weil to venture out overseas was Raymond Weil’s son who joined the company in 1983, and just 12months later, the Amadeus range was released. The Amadeus watch was named after Mozart, the Austrian classical composer. Following this popular timepiece was the Raymond Weil Fidelio watch honouring the work of Beethoven. In 1986 the Othello was created to mark the brand’s tenth anniversary. It followed watch collections including the Traviata, the Saxo, the Toccata and the Fantasia.
Watch manufacture for Raymond Weil during the 1990s was defined by the Parsifal watch. Available in both quartz and automatic chronograph variations, the watch has undergone some modifications since its first release back in 1991. A flat bezel with rider tabs and a Roman numeral hour track are both characteristic design elements of the Parsifal watch range. The Raymond Weil Tango watch then launched with round and rectangular case variations. The dials belonging to the Tango watch collection are simplified and pared down, focussing on the essentials of timekeeping.
Towards the end of the 1990s Raymond Weil opened up its own research and development department. Here, it focussed on creating a patented interchangeable bracelet feature for its lady’s Shine watch collection. The technology would enable the wearer to transform her watch depending on the occasion and her outfit. A two time zone function was also innovated. To celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2005, Raymond Weil welcomed its third generation of management.
The 46mm Nabucco was released in 2007, crafted from carbon fibre which injected a dynamic and sleek look onto the wrist. The brand released its split second chronograph function shortly afterwards, followed by the flagship Freelancer watch. In addition to this, mechanical wristwatches for women became available, accompanied by a visible balance wheel. In 2009, the flowing, curvaceous Noemia watch collection debuted, a design that remains popular still due to its elegant and refined aesthetic.
The Raymond Weil Maestro watch marked 2010, with various complications that include moonphase indicators, days of the week, months of the year and week number displays. During the last decade, the Swiss watch manufacturer has become the official partner for the Brit Awards and released the lady’s Jasmine watch collection. Timepieces in honour of some of the world’s most iconic musicians, artists and bands have also been released in limited edition series, including Raymond Weil watches paying tribute to Buddy Holly, The Beatles and David Bowie.
One important achievement to note about Raymond Weil’s legacy so far is its exclusive in-house developed self winding movement manufactured by Sellita. The RW1212 took its name from the postal code of the brand’s head quarters based in Grand-Lancy. Understandably, the movement is a testament to over 40 years of expertise and fits perfectly inside the innovative designs from the brand’s Freelancer collection.
