Raymond Weil has taken to the skies with their new limited edition Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph, creating a modern take on the classic pilots watch.
Raymond Weil, the man, was an avid flyer, and it’s no surprise that this passion of the Brand’s founder lives on in his grandchildren, Elie Bernheim, CEO of RAYMOND WEIL and Pierre Bernheim, Chairman of Geneva’s Airport board. It also no surprise that this passion has inspired both the the family and the Brand to develop a new Pilots’ watch – The Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph in a limited edition of 400 pieces.
With only 10 pieces coming to Australia, Watch Advice has has the privilege of seeing this piece up close and personal, and will be doing a full in depth hands on review later this month once we’ve had a chance to really put it through its paces. But on first inspection, Raymond Weil has done a good job with this watch.
At 42mm and 13.8mm thick, it’s not a small watch, but pilots watches never are to due them being designed for functional purposes. In this instance, the steel surfaces of the case are coated in grey PVD, providing an elegant and adventurous aesthetic. This vintage aviation theme extends to the onion-shaped crown, a design standard on pilot watches, and the brown leather strap with rivets, reminiscent of those found on aeroplanes.
The dial has highly legible applied numerals on the dial, filled with Super-Luminova® and two easy to read sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock. Adding to it’s vintage aesthetic, the olive green dial is layered and textured, with the outer hour ring designed to be reminiscent of the tarmac of the runway. To assist with readability, Raymond Weil have given the watch a bright yellow seconds hand and minute hand on the sub-dial, making sure you can see the chronograph running and easily read the timing against the green.
The engine that powers the new Freelancer Pilot is the RW5530, a flyback chronograph movement that allows a simultaneous reset and restart of the chronograph using the reset pusher at 4 o’clock and has a 56h power reserve. This fully integrated movement features a column wheel and horizontal coupling. Its column wheel controls the start, stop and reset functions which, in this instance, are thermally-blued, thus enhancing corrosion resistance and heightening its looks.
Raymond Weil have given the Chronograph a see through caseback, complete with a 3-bladed propeller motif and “One of 400 Limited Edition” inscribed on the back signifying you have a rare piece on your wrist, and adding a little more modernity to the vintage styled piece.
Final Thoughts
Raymond Weil have created their new piece in honour of Mr. Raymond Weil and his passion for aviation. This new limited edition will appeal to watch aficionados and aviation enthusiasts alike. Whilst not having had the chance to really play around with the watch yet, our first impressions are Raymond Weil have stepped their game up somewhat with this piece.
The multi-layered and textured dial looks great and gives the wearer something to admire whilst wearing it. The vintage style and grey PVD coated case adds to the ‘aged’ effect of the watch and the riveted leather strap seems sturdy and compliments the overall look. We had fun photographing the watch, and hopefully, just as much fun wearing it and reporting back on the experience in the coming weeks!
Reference: 7783-TIC-05520 Limited to 400 pieces
Specification
- Case: 42mm, 13.8mm thick
- Case Material: Stainless steel with grey PVD coating
- Case Back: Screwed-down, with propeller engraving on sapphire glass back
- Dial: Green with textured outer ring, arabic numerals and pilot arrows with Super-Luminova®
- Crystal: Flat Sapphire crystal with antiglare treatment on both sides
- Movement: Mechanical flyback chronograph with automatic winding – RW5530 Calibre
- Power Reserve: 56 hours
- Water Resistance: 100m / 10BAR
- Strap: Brown genuine calf leather with rivets, Grey PVD RW folding clasp with double push-security system
