Arms-On: Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph 7780 Watch

Raymond Weil is able to have some enjoyable. The entry-level Swiss luxurious model has lengthy pinned its picture to music and humanities, which has actually produced some attention-grabbing items, but it surely appears it’s beginning to create watches with a bit extra area of interest attraction, catering to shoppers who desire a bit extra panache than Raymond Weil usually presents. I feel we noticed a twinkle of this with the latest inexperienced Freelancer Chronograph 7741 launch, a sporty watch with irresistible classic cues. That watch, nevertheless, was nonetheless a protected wager for the model, with panda dials and black, white, and metal mixtures that assured broad attraction. With the brand new Raymond Weil Freelancer Chrongraph 7780, although, we’re starting to see flashes of an thrilling new path for the model. This vintage-inspired chrono, supplied in a restricted bronze case and a non-limited titanium case, options bolder colours and distinctive particulars that make it stand out not simply towards Raymond Weil’s catalog, however towards the competitors as nicely.

There are two choices with the Raymond Weil Chronograph 7780: an all-bronze, 300-piece restricted version and a non-limited, two-tone titanium and bronze possibility. Each watches characteristic the identical case, with pump pushers and tall, faceted lugs that bring to mind classic Heuer Carreras. The whole thing of the case is brushed, giving the watch a way more rugged aesthetic that’s strengthened by its considerably sturdy dimensions — 43.5mm-wide and 13.7mm-tall. These dimensions — plus solely a modest slope to the lugs — make for a watch that sits prominently however not unwearably on the wrist. Whereas the restricted bronze mannequin options bronze all the things, the two-tone mannequin substitutes a titanium case whereas holding the bronze pushers, screw-down crown, and bezel; each watches characteristic a black ceramic bezel insert with a gold-filled tachymeter scale. The watch comes on a brown or black leather-based strap with a branded folding clasp and double-stitched curved ends for an ideal match; there’s an additional set of lug holes for third-party straps, although quick-release spring bars would’ve been good on the included strap. When thought-about subsequent to one another, there’s a stark distinction between heat and funky, which begins with the circumstances and straps, is underscored by the pink and blue “tachymeter” texts on the bezel, and continues on the dials.

Underneath the sapphire crystal, there’s a bounty of particulars that basically carry the watch to life. The dials share their middle gradients, with a smoky grey middle shifting to the black round grooving underneath the rounded rectangular utilized indices (rose-gold tone on the bronze, gold tone on the titanium). The palms on every watch match the indices in form and coloration, and there may be ample Tremendous-LumiNova to allow them to shine in low gentle (plus the pips on the outer edges of the indices). The round grooving actually offers the watch a motorsport really feel, which the model was aiming for (the product copy on its web site talks extensively a couple of customized Raymond Weil motorcycle). The titanium mannequin retains itself cool with silver registers and blue accents all through the dial, whereas the bronze doubles down on heat tones with bronze-tone registers and orange-red accents. There are two particulars that basically stand out, although. The primary was the bronze pulsometer ring, including an additional sprint of (maybe frivolous) utility to the watch, but additionally permitting for extra blue/orange-red accents; I like the way it brings the bronze into the dial as an alternative of holding it to the case like most bronze watches. By far essentially the most noticeable element, although, is the font used on the date wheel. It’s a playful, script-like sans serif font that brings a shocking lightness to the watch. Fact be instructed, it clashes with a lot of the watch’s design, which whereas sporty, lacks the exuberance of the date font.  On the Chronograph 7780, the date font appears to be an afterthought, or at the very least an endpoint; simply think about, although, what Raymond Weil might do with that font as a place to begin for a whole watch design.

The Raymond Weil Chonograph 7780 is supplied with the model’s RW 5030 caliber, with a customized ‘W’ rotor and a few motion ornament, all seen via the sapphire glass on the screw-down caseback. The model solely supplies specs for the facility reserve — 56 hours — however a little bit digging reveals that the RW 5030 is predicated on the Sellita SW510. Curiously, the RW 5030 can be recognized because the caliber used on the Chronograph 7741, which options three registers and no date.  The riddle is defined thusly: Sellita lumps all of its chronographs with 3, 3-9, and 3-6-9 layouts underneath the SW510 designator, with every format variation receiving its personal prolonged designation; Raymond Weil has merely opted to not distinguish between the variations. What you do get is a cam-operated chronograph with a quickset date, hacking, and 27 jewels, operating at 28,800 vph. Nothing to complain about there. (By the best way, if you happen to’ve been questioning in regards to the good-looking watch roll, it’s the handmade Double Watch Roll from Bennett Winch, priced at $715.)

The standard of the brand new Raymond Weil Chronograph 7780 is unquestionable and its design, whereas maybe not for everybody, is way from polarizing and matches properly into the classic pattern we’re (nonetheless) experiencing.  As I stated on the prime, although, this watch hints at nice potential at Raymond Weil for producing actually thrilling watches. The dial texturing, playful hour markers, and colorways all recommend the model is able to escape of its mildew, but it surely’s the flourish of the date font the place it actually reveals. The limiting of the bronze mannequin to 300 items suggests the model feels it’s taking a danger with that exact design and desires to check the waters. It’s a danger I hope pays off and a path I hope they embrace. The Raymond Weil Chronograph 7780 watches can be found now from licensed sellers and immediately from the model. The titanium mannequin is non-limited whereas the bronze mannequin is proscribed to 300 items; the watches are priced at $3,495 USD and $3,995 USD, respectively. You’ll be able to be taught extra at Raymond Weil’s web site.