Founded by Mr. Raymond Weil in 1976 just when the watchmaking companies had been faced with a crisis, management of the company was taken over by his son-in-law Olivier Bernheim after Mr. Weil.
Since the very first models he produced, Raymond Weil has forged strong ties with the music world. With the collection of Amadeus (the first name of famous composer Mozart) that was introduced in 1983, model names inspired from music have been a hallmark of the brand.
Over the years, he has launched music-inspired collections like Tango, Maestro, Toccata, Fantasia, and Fidelio.
And when the calendars showed the year 2013, collaborations and events with the music world have been started, and hence music became more important for the brand. That same year, the brand designed a 9 meter tall cello-shaped cabinet for its booth at the BaselWorld fair. That was the biggest solid wood cello in the world at the time.
During the following period, among the initiatives launched were a strong partnership with an iconic venue like the Royal Albert Hall, and collaborations with non-profit organizations such as VH1 Music Foundation, ACMF (the Australian Children’s Music Foundation) and Nordoff- Robbins (music therapy), and stellar events with BRIT Awards.
By the 40th Year of the brand, Music Icons series was launched. Over the years, in this series have been introduced the Limited Edition models dedicated to the all-time icons of music world such as The Beatles, David Bowie, Frank Sinatra, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley, and developed collaborations with brands producing cult music equipment, such as Gibson Guitars and Marshall Amps.
I had previously reviewed Raymond Weil’s Maestro Moonphase and Freelancer Skeleton Limited Edition models, and uttered a few words as much as I could.
Since I’ve been very much interested in music, especially old music (!), I wondered about some of its models, and I brought up the matter to the attention of Mr. Ahmet Aydın (aka watchmania) in order to review them, have an idea and tell you about. And he made the necessary negotiations. The company has been so kind as to send the models I chose to our office.
Here we go:
FREELANCER AC/DC LIMITED EDITION
Everyone who loves Rock’n Roll, Hard Rock and Rock loves AC/DC. Formed in 1973, in Australia, the band made the legendary songs such as “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black”. The band sold more than 200 million albums worldwide and ranked among the 100 greatest artists of all time on various lists.
The model produced for the band by Raymond Weil is a version of the Freelancer.
With a polished steel case of 42mm diameter and 10,6mm thickness, the most remarkable part of the model is undoubtedly the dial. It features an AC/DC logo at 12 o’clock and studded indexes completing the Rock’n Roll atmosphere. Again the dial has a pattern inspired by the lightning on the AC/DC logo.
The black leather strap has an AC/DC imprint and a double-pusher folding clasp with an RW logo.
At the heart of the reference 2780-STC-ACDC1 watch beats an automatic, in-house RW1212 caliber with a 38 hours power reserve. Back of the case is closed with a screw down caseback the sapphire crystal center-piece of which allows us to view the machine. Thanks to the screw down cap and the screw down crown with an RW logo, water resistance is at a level of 100m. The limited edition was put up for sale in 3000 pieces.
I’ll move on to other models with the words of Raymond Weil CEO Elie Bernheim: “There is very little doubt that AC/DC is and continues to be one of the most iconic rock bands of all time and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with them. As AC/DC perfectly quoted “let there be light, sound, drums and guitar — let there be rock.”
Enjoy Back in Black by AC/DC:
FREELANCER JIMI HENDRIX LIMITED EDITION
When you ask anyone whose heart is set on Rock’n Roll or electro guitar in particular, the answer you get shall be that Jimi Hendrix is the most legendary guitarist of all times. The reason for why he was a pioneer in the history of electro guitar is that he made fluent sentences with notes, using the instrument as an electronic source of sound. Well-known for his legendary songs such as ” Purple Haze” and ”All Along the Watchtower”, Hendrix unfortunately died at his 27 and got a firm place in hearts as a member of 27s club.
The model Raymond Weil produced to honor the memory of Hendrix is a Freelancer Chronograph version.
Offered in a 42mm large and 13,9mm high grey PVD-coated steel case, the most distinguishing part on the dial of the reference 7730-STC-JHDX1is the set of nine indexes with dots. This index design is a reference to the pickups of Hendrix’s legendary guitar, the 1968 white Fender Stratocaster. Again the 6 circular borders on dial and passing under the indexes represent the guitar strings. The counterweight of the seconds hand is shaped like a guitar head but positioned backwards just because Hendrix was left-handed. The blue color is a reminder of the stage costume Hendrix wore in Woodstock’69. The tachymeter scale on the outer part of the dial has an inscription of a phrase by Jimi Hendrix “Music is my religion.”
When we turn the watch backwards, we see the AUTHENTIC HENDRIX logo on the sapphire crystal piece of the screw down caseback. Under the caseback is the automatic RW5200 chronograph machine with a power reserve of 48 hours. The timepiece has a genuine calfskin strap with a double-pusher steel folding clasp. It is offered in a Limited Edition of 500 pieces.
Enjoy Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix:
TANGO GMT BOB MARLEY LIMITED EDITION
In his short life of 36 years, Reggae legend Bob Marley produced songs such as “No Woman No Cry”, “One Love”, “I Shot the Sherrif” and “Buffalo Soldiers”, all imprinted on the memories of music enthusiasts. And he became a prominent icon in the world of music and the pop culture.
The watch produced by Raymond Weil to pay tribute to Bob Marley is Tango Quartz GMT.
The reference 8280-ST1-BMY18 model has a steel case, 42mm in diameter and 11mm in height. It features a GMT bezel with a black aluminum insert. The most striking element on the matte black dial is, certainly, the lion figure that Marley fans will recognize at once. Other important design elements are the green GMT hand, the red seconds hand and the yellow outer circle, all inspired from the Ethiopian flag.
Under the steel caseback is hidden a Quartz caliber. Thanks to the screw down caseback and screw down crown, it has a water resistance level of 300m. The caseback also features the signature of Marley and the “Time Will Tell” inscription. With a Limited Edition of 1500 pieces, the watch is offered with a steel bracelet with a double-pusher folding clasp.
Enjoy No Woman No Cry by Bob Marley:
TANGO 300 MARSHALL AMPLIFICATION LIMITED EDITION
Last but not least, I want to talk about the model produced for the Marshall Amps, one of the most iconic equipment accompanying the music icons, though not a music icon.
When it comes to electro guitar, of course, it can’t be without an amp, and one of those that come to the mind first and are most iconic is, undoubtedly, Marshall.
And Raymond Weil, in collaboration with Marshall, produced a Limited Edition model. Our watch is a Tango Quartz Chronograph version.
43mm wide and 11,9mm high, the reference 8570-BKC-MARS1 model has a black PVD-coated steel case. While the surface texture of the dial symbolizes the front grille of the iconic Marshall amplifiers, gold colored chronograph sub-counters has a design reminding the sound buttons.
Produced in a Limited Edition of 1000 pieces, on the caseback is engraved a Marshall logo. With its all screw down caseback and chronograph buttons and crown, the watch has a water resistance of 300m. It is offered with a white-stitch black leather strap and a double-pusher PVD-coated folding clasp.
Music is an important component of our culture. It is a way of communication helping people to come together, entertain, exuberate, and grieve and sometimes making them gather around an idea. A life without music would absolutely be prosaic. Fortunately we have music, and fortunately we have brands like Raymond Weil mindful of music culture.
Put on your Raymond Weil, and let the music prevail.
