Watches And Wonders 2024: Raymond Weil's Millesime Collection With A Vintage Twist

In a bold move to captivate new generations, RAYMOND WEIL, is positioning its award-winning 'millesime' collection as its flagship line. After clinching the prestigious Challenge Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, the brand's most significant accolade in nearly five decades, RAYMOND WEIL is doubling down on this neo-vintage range, unveiling an impressive 11 new references at Watches & Wonders 2024.

The Millesime collection is a masterful blend of character, elegance, watchmaking tradition, contemporary design, and exquisite Swiss craftsmanship. What sets it apart, however, is its remarkable accessibility, with prices ranging from a modest 1,575 CHF to a still-affordable 3,500 CHF. This strategic move positions RAYMOND WEIL as a brand that caters to discerning watch enthusiasts seeking understated luxury without breaking the bank.

At the heart of the Millesime collection lies a delicate balance between vintage charm and modern sensibilities. The new additions for 2024 exemplify this fusion, introducing two trendy dial colors – Denim Blue and British Racing Green – that exude a fresh, contemporary vibe while remaining timelessly classic. These hues adorn the collection's signature 39.5mm stainless steel cases, featuring delicately textured dials and glassbox sapphire crystals that amplify the vintage allure.

But RAYMOND WEIL doesn't stop there. The brand has taken the Millesime collection to new heights with the introduction of a moon-phase model, reference 2945. Blending the poetic horological complication of moon phases with the collection's hallmark sectorized, graphic dials, this timepiece breathes new life into a classic watchmaking function. Available in a sober silver dial encased in stainless steel or a bi-color rose gold PVD steel case with a midnight blue dial, the Millesime moon phase is a true testament to RAYMOND WEIL's ability to reimagine tradition with a contemporary twist.

For the modern woman, the Millesime collection soars to new heights with five new models built around the flagship references 2125 and 2145. The former boasts a central second hand and comes in silver, denim blue, and burgundy dial options, while the latter features a moon phase complication. Both models are housed in elegantly restrained 35mm stainless steel cases, exuding a perfect blend of neo-vintage aesthetics and contemporary sensibilities.

But RAYMOND WEIL doesn't stop there – they've adorned the lugs of the denim blue dial Millesime timepieces with 16 laboratory-grown diamonds (0.24 cts), providing a discreet sparkle that blends quintessential femininity with modern sensuality. This touch of innovation showcases the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries while remaining true to its watchmaking roots.

For those seeking a sportier aesthetic, the millesime 7765 Tri-Compax chronographs are sure to impress. Paying homage to the iconic "Panda dials" of yesteryear, these 39.5mm stainless steel chronographs exude classic elegance with a sporty touch. The midnight blue variant, reference 7765-STC-50651, features silvered subdials accented by light blue Arabic numerals and a white tachymeter scale, injecting a dynamic element. Alternatively, the black dial version, reference 7765-STC-20001, offers a bold and assertive look with white hour-markers and Arabic numerals.

RAYMOND WEIL's Millesime collection is a masterclass in balancing tradition and modernity, catering to diverse tastes while maintaining a cohesive and distinctive identity. From the reliability and precision of the mechanical self-winding movements to the carefully crafted grey leather straps with W-shaped stitching, every aspect of these timepieces exudes attention to detail and a commitment to excellence.