Raymond Weil - From high street to boutique
Meet the new Raymond Weil – no longer content to wander purely down High Street lane. Over the past year or so, they’ve pivoted from everyday quartz fare to stirring envy in serious collectors. How? Let’s unpack the glow-up.
Credit - Raymond Weil
1. Vintage vibes, modern swagger – Millesime steals the scene
Raymond Weil’s debut Millesime collection (Latin for vintage) launched in 2023 and instantly won the GPHG Challenge Prize – the Oscar of horology. That award helped legitimise their move from “nice for the money” to “respected by aficionados”.
New additions reinvent classic 35 mm dress watches – think central seconds, moon‑phase and tri‑compax chronographs. Popular colour ways like burgundy, denim and anthracite dialed-up their retro elegance. Models like the diamond-lug denim option show that they’re not scared to spark a little drama .
Credit - Raymond Weil
2. Freelancer gets technical – complications meet craftsmanship
At Watches & Wonders 2025, RW dropped the first-ever Freelancer Complete Calendar: a 40 mm beauty sporting date, month, day and moon‑phase—complete with integrated correctors. It’s a compelling mix of practical smarts and polish.
They further flexed their mechanical muscle with the limited-edition RW1212 skeleton, drawing attention to in-house movement design and finishing.
Credit - Raymond Weil
3. Strategy reboot – from mall to wristwatch geeks
Under CEO Elie Bernheim (3rd gen), RW realised the old model – cruising through airports and mall boutiques – wasn’t enough. They need serious collector cred.
Enter vintage-inspired horology and refined complications delivered at appealing prices. Slimmer cases, pleasing sector dials, and craft detail give them a “cheap Patek vibe, without the mortgage” appeal.
✨ 4. Trends, tweaked: colour, compact and complications
RW nailed three big trends: statement dials, moon-phases and pared-back case sizes . Embracing colourful but tasteful burgundy, denim, anthracite faces, plus niche complications like calendar and moon-phase, it’s clear they’re stepping up design-wise.
Credit - Raymond Weil
Verdict:
Raymond Weil’s recent trajectory is equal parts smart strategy and stylish substance. They’ve kept what works – crowd-pleasing Swiss value – while adding brushed finishes, thin 35–40 mm profiles, in-house calibres, and vintage charm. The result? Watches that don’t just tell time, they tell a story—and collectors are leaning in.
So, from the mall to the horology hall of fame, RW’s repositioning feels less like a facelift and more like a finely tailored suit. Expect them to continue riding this wave into the luxe spotlight.
Why it matters for you
Vintage cool at high-street prices – award‑winning design, clever complications
Serious watchmaking cred – in-house calibres, skeleton models, GPHG recognition
Smart market play – shifting from tourists to enthusiasts with sharp, compact styles
That cheeky burgundy Millésime on your wrist? It's quietly saying: “I know my way around a boardroom and Baselworld.”
