jhe company founder, Mr. Raymond Weil, often said “Independence is a state of mind“, a philosophy that continues to guide the brand today. As Raymond Weil marks its fiftieth anniversary this year, the Maison pursues steady growth built on strong foundations, long-term vision and a clear mission to offer fine Swiss watchmaking at an accessible price point. Awarded in the Challenge category (under CHF 2,000) at the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the millesime collection perfectly reflects this ambition: contemporary, refined timepieces designed to endure.

“Millesime, as its name suggests, will allow Raymond Weil to move through time with panache. It is an opportunity we are proud to embrace.“ - Elie Bernheim, CEO of Raymond Weil

With the millesime small seconds, Raymond Weil revisits the Tuxedo dial, a design style experiencing a notable revival, defined by bold, two-tone contrasts and formal elegance. Three distinct colour harmonies shape this new chapter:

• Black and white, echoing the timeless codes of evening wear;
• Midnight blue paired with black, evoking the depth and softness of formal fabrics;
• Red grape with light grey, a more daring interpretation reflecting the Maison’s evolving chromatic identity.

Inspired by Art Deco aesthetics, the sector dials alternate light and dark zones to structure legibility while reinforcing visual sophistication. Beneath a vintage-inspired domed sapphire crystal, silver-tone hour and minute hands treated with Super-LumiNova^® emit a subtle glow in low light. True to the millesime design codes, the small seconds at 6 o’clock is displayed on an opaline sub dial framed by a discreet recessed ring, creating a refined sense of depth. Each reference is housed in a slender, 39 mm stainless steel case with elegant, balanced proportions.

The dial architecture reveals a nuanced, multi-layered construction where every element contributes to clarity and expression. A glossy, lacquered index ring highlights the hour track, producing a luminous contrast against adjacent textures, whilst a finely executed minute track in azure enhances precision and visual lightness. At the centre, a vertical, satin-brushed disc is intersected by a structural crosshair and a deliberately raw V-shaped groove; graphic signatures that subtly reference the industrial influence of the Art Deco era.

The chromatic story unfolds across three interpretations. Reference 2930-ST-05642 delivers timeless sophistication through a bold, black-and-white composition: its light, central disc, minute track and small seconds counter contrasts with Arabic numerals against a dark hour ring.

Reference 2930-ST-05502 introduces greater depth, with an intense midnight blue across the central sections and sub dial, framed by a black lacquered hour ring reinforcing the watch’s formal character. Finally, reference 2930-ST-05450 explores a more contemporary palette, pairing its red grape centre and minute track with a light grey hour ring; the small seconds sub dial reprising the red grape tone for visual continuity.

The bezel features a vertical, satin-brushed finish set against a delicately polished chamfer, highlighting the Maison’s attention to detail through the interplay of textures. A transparent case back reveals the movement and the W-shaped oscillating weight, a signature element of Raymond Weil watchmaking. The genuine calfskin strap is finished with a discreet W-shaped stitch, reinforcing the brand’s identity.

The three references are offered with an interchangeable calfskin leather strap, as well as with a stainless steel bracelet.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MOVEMENT

• Mechanical self-winding movement - RW4251

POWER RESERVE

• 41 hours

FUNCTIONS

• Hours, minutes and small seconds

CASE

• Round
• Stainless steel
• Diameter: 39 mm
• Thickness: 10.25 mm

CROWN

• Fluted with RW monogram

CRYSTAL

• Glassbox sapphire crystal with dual-sided antireflective coating on both sides

DIAL

• Tuxedo sector dial • 2930-STC-05642:
• Cream, snailed minute track and vertical brushed centre
• Shiny black hour area with Arabic SLN numerals • 2930-STC-05502:
• Dark blue, snailed minute track and vertical brushed centre
• Shiny black hour area with Arabic SLN numerals • 2930-STC-05450:
• Red grape, snailed minute track and vertical brushed centre
• Shiny white hour area with Arabic SLN numerals

HANDS

• Obelisk, brushed linear and white SLN

CASEBACK

• Snapped, with sapphire crystal

STRAP/BRACELET

• 2930-STC-05642: Black genuine calf leather with traditional buckle • 2930-STC-05502: Dark brown genuine calf leather with traditional buckle • 2930-STC-05450: Beige genuine calf leather with traditional buckle

WATER RESISTANCE

• 50 m, 165 ft, 5 atm