Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the centenary of its founder's birth with a limited edition watch. The Freelancer World-Traveller, with reference number 2762-STC-02026, combines family heritage, 24 time zone functionality, and Swiss mechanical movement. This special edition is a testament to the company's ambitions under the leadership of its third generation, with Elie Bernheim at the helm.
Founded in 1976 during the quartz crisis, Raymond Weil aimed to offer quality Swiss watches at relatively affordable prices. The brand has seen a resurgence in interest, particularly with its Millésime collection. The Freelancer World-Traveller continues this momentum with a unique take on international watchmaking. The watch features a 40mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 10.25mm and alternating brushed and polished surfaces.
The Freelancer World-Traveller boasts a distinctive world map dial inspired by the Mercator projection, with champagne-colored continents and dark blue oceans. The dial showcases 24 cities corresponding to major time zones and features a 24-hour ring to differentiate between day and night. The watch also includes a second time zone indicator with a red GMT hand and local time displayed by central hour, minute, and second hands.
The watch is powered by the automatic Raymond Weil RW3230 caliber, based on the Sellita SW330-2 architecture. This mechanical movement measures 25.6mm in diameter and 4.1mm in thickness, with 25 jewels to minimize friction between moving components. It oscillates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a 56-hour power reserve. The RW3230 features an office GMT architecture, allowing for independent adjustment of the 24-hour hand in one-hour increments.
The Freelancer World-Traveller comes with a dark blue leather strap and a deployant buckle with safety pushers. The watch has a 50-meter water resistance rating, making it suitable for everyday use and splashes, but not for diving. The sapphire crystal features anti-reflective coating on both sides, and the screwed case back allows for viewing of the movement.
To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Raymond Weil will produce only 260 units of the Freelancer World-Traveller worldwide. The watch is priced at 3,995 CHF in Switzerland, 4,395 € in the eurozone, 4,395 $ in the United States, and 3,895 £ in the United Kingdom. Interested buyers can visit the official Raymond Weil website or contact an authorized dealer.
The Freelancer World-Traveller reflects Raymond Weil's commitment to honoring its family heritage while offering a contemporary take on the travel watch. This limited edition showcases the brand's expertise in watchmaking and its ability to innovate while staying true to its roots.
Key points
- The Freelancer World-Traveller features a unique world map dial with 24 time zones and a mechanical GMT movement.
- The watch is limited to 260 units worldwide and is priced starting at 3,895 £.
- The Freelancer World-Traveller is a tribute to Raymond Weil's 50th anniversary and the centenary of its founder's birth.
