Raymond Weil

Raymond Weil Parsifal Watches For 2011

Not that it is a bad thing, but a large part of Raymond Weil's watches try to offer lower priced "alternatives" to popular Rolex models. The Parsifal has always hovering over the Rolex DayDate or Datejust market offering something a bit different, with the same functions, but still nice for a much lower price. For 2011 the Parsifal collection adds a few new members including the new "Date Automatic" and "Day-Date Automatic" (what coincidental naming practices).

Moderately sized, the cases are 39mm wide and done in steel and 18k rose gold (for the bezel, crown, elements of the bracelet, and elements on the dial). Raymond Weil opts for Roman numerals that revolve around the dial, and dial colors which asre black or silver. There will likely be other models available as well in differnet tones. Inside the watches are base Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic movements that have been modified by Raymond Weil. The new Parsifal watches are attactive, but nothing awe inspiring. The brand has again created a marketable and lower priced watch aiming at those who don't want to spend Rolex prices but still want a handsome Swiss watch of this variety.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2011, date, day, parsifal, raymond weil, watch, watches

Raymond Weil Freelancer Autumn Time Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

For the Autumn season Raymond Weil will release a new version of their Freelancer watch for women. Called the "Freelancer Autumn Time," the watch will come in two types - either in a "fig" or "chestnut" color scheme. To be honest they are both quite similar in hues. Based on the attractive Freelancer line of models, the watches come in 38mm wide steel cases with almost masculine looking cases that have diamond-studded bezels. The dials are quite simple looking, even though they have a number of elements. There is a minute scale on the flange ring, diamonds used for the hour markers, and a textured section in the middle of the dial. The hands are purposeful, but not exactly pretty. I like that they are lume filled. Being an "open heart" watch you can see the escapement through the open dial window.

Inside the watch is a Swiss automatic movement, likely an ETA 2824 or equivalent. The Autumn Time watches comes on matching alligator straps. Not sure about price or availability yet, but look for these Raymond Weil Freelancer Autumn Time watches for women soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews time ablogtoread.com

Tags: 2750 SLS 60081, 2750 SLS 70081, autumn time, freelancer, raymond weil, watch

Raymond Weil Maestro Mechanical Collection Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

While not exactly unique, these are classic in style. Given the watch industry's big backward turn this year - as dozens of "throw-back" and traditional style pieces are released - Raymond Weil is trying to get their fill with some good ol' Breguet style dials. That means guilloche machined engraved metal and blued steel pomme hands. In addition to being attractive, this dial design benefits from being quite legible as well. The soft curved steel cases are 39.5mm wide, and quite thin at just 9mm thick. Dials have either Roman or Arabic numeral dials, and attractive engraved patters on the dial interiors. While dozens of brands have watches like this, few of them have the large distribution network that Raymond Weil has.

In addition to the central seconds models, there is also a subsidiary seconds version. As the name suggests, the watches contain Swiss Sellita SW200 automatic movements. The Maestro collection features a style that won't quit, and is relatively timeless. If the price is right, I imagine they will do well in sales. Look for them soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: collection, Maestro, Raymond Weil, watch

Raymond Weil Watch Supports Breast Cancer... No Wait, The Opposite Of That

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Raymond Weil is teaming up with the breast cancer research charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Swiss watch brand is offering a limited edition watch to recognize Breast Cancer awareness month and help raise money for the charity. Instead of a pink ribbon on the watch, the Noemia watch line has been supplemented with a special model called the Noemia Sweet October with pink accents. The 10 o'clock hour indicator has a pink sapphire setting (10 because of October). The other hour markers have diamond settings. There is also a pink colored cabochon in the crown. The steel watch has been a lovely part of the Raymond Weil women's line, and this new model helps bring attention back to the Noemia. 10% of the price for the watch will be donated to Susan G Komen for the Cure, and it will retail for $1,250. If you want one, you have to go Bloomingdale's, where the Noemia Sweet October watch will be exclusively sold. Available closer to the fall months.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: breast cancer, Noemia, Raymond Weil, Sweet October, watch

Lee DeWyze Rocks A Raymond Weil Watch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Celebrity Shopping

You probably weren't watching Lee DeWyze's wrist on Wednesday night but if you were you might have spotted a Raymond Weil watch. As Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox fought to become this year's American Idol, DeWyze wore a style from the Raymond Weil Freelancer series, which is also featured in the brand's advertising campaign. The stainless steel watch measures 42 mm in diameter. The automatic chronograph on a brown leather strap retails for $2,750. It's nice product placement for Raymond Weil, which has also sponsored the 2010 Brit Awards and has been looking for ways to tie the brand with the music industry, especially in the U.S. market.

Tags: american idol, lee dewyze, raymond weil, watchspotting

Raymond Weil Watches Revamps US Distribution

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Different watch companies are doing different things to address their less-than-stellar sales performance these days. A large area of focus is the confusing US market. Even in good times, most foreign watch companies are confused by American watch buying trends. That combined with the fact that they rely on third parties much of the time to oversee and manage US operations and distribution has got them thinking about how to improve things. One approach being enacted by a few companies is what Raymond Weil watches just did - that is take over US operations themselves.

The recently incorporated Raymond Weil (RW) USA Corp. is a new company, but is related to the parent brand. This allows the company to have more control, and a better understanding of what is going on in the States, and how best to conduct business here. Raymond Weil is fortunate to have a history of good sales and a strong market presence in the US. The new RW USA Corp. will hire many of the existing employees from the previous distributor and focus on strengthening relations with its best retailers - mostly department and jewelry stores around the US. There is also dedication to assisting with marketing support (very important as brand tend to not help wit expensive marketing costs), and to giving US retailers the best products for the holiday season - which is also important as for some reason US stores get shafted when it comes to getting the newest and best watch products compared to the rest of the world. As a reasonably attractive, and well priced luxury brand, Raymond Weil should come out ahead in the future if they play their cards right in the US.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: corp, distribution, raymond weil, RaymondWeil, USA, watches

Raymond Weil Don Giovanni Jump Hour Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The case, in 18kt rose gold, or stainless steel, measures 38mm x 50mm x 13mm. It has an AR-coated sapphire crystal and is water resistant to 30 meters. The movement is the automatic RW caliber 1400 (base ETA 2892) with 21 jewels, beating at 28,800 bph and with a power reserve of 42 hours. It features a jumping hour complication.

Popular Swiss watch maker Raymond Weil releases a new jumping hour watch that will likely be reasonably priced given the type of complication it features. Jumping hour watches comes in different styles and are often difficult to pull off from a design standpoint. The challenge comes in keeping enough of the watch dial sufficiently occupied, while at the same time allowing the display of the time to look natural. The hardest part of any jumping hour watch in my opinion surrounds the placement and style of the digital hour window. It is necessary to ensure that it is properly "framed" (meaning it is not just a hole cut in the dial), as well as done in the right size and positioned in a comfortable manner. This is all limited by the fact that there must be a disc underneath the dial with all 12 numbers on it.

This Don Giovanni Jump Hour Watch works pretty well. In a nice curved rectangular case, the dial is filled with round shapes and a tapered hour window that has a hint of a frame on it. As is common to jumping hour watches, the seconds are placed in a subsidiary dial. The case is offered here in 18k rose gold or stainless steel and is 38mm by 50mm in size and 13mm thick (due to the curvature of the case). Powering the movement is the automatic RW Caliber 1400, which is a modified version of the ETA 2892. An item to notice in jumping hour watches is whether the hours truly "jump." On many such watches, the hour indicator is between two different hours at the end and beginning of each hour. The best quality jumping hour complications have what are known as "instant" jumps. I am not totally sure how this watch functions in regards to that. Something to ask of course. You can also see that the watch is available with a leather strap or a highly polished metal bracelet. The Raymond Weil Don Giovanni Jump Hour should be available now.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: don giovanni, DonGiovanni, hours, jump hour, JumpHour, jumping, raymond weil, RaymondWeil, watch

Raymond Weil Lady Freelancer Chronograph Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Whether purposefully or coincidentally, I find it amusing that this new very feminine Lady Freelancer watch by Raymond Weil shares an almost identical dial and function layout to the very masculine IWC Top Gun Pilot Double Chronograph watch. Perhaps the similarity is no accident as Raymond Weil bills this new watch as a form of urban luxury offering a very large for a lady's watch width size of 42mm in a stainless steel diamond set case. Diamonds are a major element of the Lady Freelancer Chronograph watch's theme with 169 stones on the case and another 66 lining the bezel. Still, the watch seems to be confused, with such formal attire, the large dial still bears an exposed screw, and the baton hands and sharp edged hour markers are more aggressive in tone than you'd expect from a magenta colored watch. Perhaps this watch is for the lady packin' a concealed Beretta under her evening wear?

The Lady Freelancer Chronograph comes in two colors, fuchsia pink and off white, with matching alligator straps. Inside the watch is an automatic Valjoux 7750 mechanical movement providing the time, 12 hour chronograph, and day and date complications. Price will likely exceed $4,000 given the amount of stones and might go higher is Raymond Weil is feeling particularly optimistic.

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Raymond Weil Lady Freelancer Chronograph Watch

Tags: 7730 PAV 46001, 7730 PAV 97431, 7730Pav46001, 7730Pav97431, chronograph, freelancer, ladies, lady, raymond weil, RaymondWeil, timepiece, watch

Charlize Theron Could Be Out $20 Million

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Celebrity Shopping

Looks like Charlize Theron will be heading to court against watchmaker Raymond Weil. The case, which we first reported on last year, has gone before a New York judge who ruled that the case has enough weight to proceed to a jury trial. Raymond Weil is suing for $20 million in damages saying that Theron violated her endorsement contract, which dictated that she only wear Weil watches, by wearing a Dior watch at a public appearance. She of course has also been the face of Dior's fragrance, J'Adore. Damages will be decided at trial but it seems likely that the opposing sides will settle before then. Charlize Theron has already gone on to a new watch, jewelry and accessories contract with Breil Milano.

UPDATE: Theron has settled the suit for an undisclosed amount.

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Tags: charlize theron, CharlizeTheron, endorsement, lawsuit, raymond weil, watches

Raymond Weil Signs Steve Nash For Ad Campaign

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Celebrity Shopping

I have only three words for Steve Nash, the NBA player who has been announced as the latest ambassador of the Raymond Weil watch brand: wear the watch. After all, as we've seen with Weil's recent lawsuit against Charlize Theron, this company wants its money's worth from their celebrity endorsers. National Jeweler reports that Nash, a two-time NBA MVP plays for the Phoenix Suns and will be part of the second campaign for the RW Sport collection watches. Nash will appear in the ads with sports commentator Ahmad Rashad. Nash's Steve Nash Foundation will receive $60,000 from Raymond Weil.

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Tags: raymond weil, steve nash, SteveNash, timepiece, watch, wristwatch

Charlize Theron Gets Sued

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Celebrity Shopping

Actress Charlize Theron is experiencing the dark side of celebrity endorsement. Sure you get a fistful of cash but you also get a lawsuit if you don't wear the products. Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Charlize because she had signed an endorsement deal saying that from October 2005 through December 2006 she would only wear Weil watches. In March 2006 she was spotted wearing a Dior watch. That's a big no-no and the company is taking action. This isn't the first celeb endorsement lawsuit we've seen. Jessica Simpson was sued by Princy for wearing True Religion instead of her own branded jeans and Melanie Griffith got in trouble for not mentioning the name of the designer she wore to the Golden Globes in 2006.

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Tags: celebrity endorsement, charlize theron, CharlizeTheron, raymond weil

RW Sport Watches

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The Raymond Weil watches I have checked out before have been more on the refined side but now the Swiss watchmaker is going sporty. Their RWSport watches are being launched with a multi-million dollar ad campaign featuring ESPN sportscasters (a far cry from their ads for the Shine Collection which featured Charlize Theron looking very luxe and languid). The quartz watches are done in stainless steel with black and red dials and a black rubber strap. Cute but just a touch generic given the proliferation of red and black man watches on the market recently.

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Tags: collection, raymond weil, RaymondWeil, sports, timepieces, watches