RAYMOND WEIL continue to add to their Freelancer line in 2023 with the arrival of the new Freelancer Diver with 4 new model variations, complete with a collaboration with Titouan Galea: Three time Wing Foil champion.
2023 is so far the year of the Freelancer for RAYMOND WEIL . Back in July they introduced the limited edition Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph, which we reviewed here. Then in the same month, they unveiled the Freelancer Pop Bi-Compax limited edition in Titanium, a collaboration of music and time. If you missed it, read our coverage of the release here. And this week, the brand has taken their Freelancer line to new depths (Yep, I went there with the pun!) with the Freelancer Diver.
The new Freelancer diver comes in 4 model variants – a black dial in both steel and rubber, a two-tone blue in steel and yellow gold PVD, a two-tone black in steel and rose gold PVD, off the back of a successfully sold out limited Geneva edition of 310 pieces in a blue dial and black bezel.
The collection are all 42.5mm is size, 11.7mm thick and have a screw down case back and crown to ensure water resistance at 300m. Like the Freelancer Pop Bi-Compax, this is also an inspired collaboration collection, this time with the sport of Wing Foil. If you’re not familiar with the sport, you’ll get a pretty good idea in the video below!
To celebrate this new launch, RAYMOND WEIL has partnered with Titouan Galea, three-time Wing Foil world champion. Through this collaboration, the brand explored the champion’s world, his remarkable skills and the mindset that propelled him to success. Drawing inspiration from Titouan Galea and from the high-tech foils and wings used by champions in Wing Foil riding, the new freelancer diver collection encapsulates the values of this exhilarating sport.
To bring this to life, RAYMOND WEIL has given the collection gradient dials, which start darker at 6 o’clock and gradually get lighter up and around the dial, and to enhance underwater legibility, Super-LumiNova® accents can be found on the hands and indexes of the dial, and on the two-tone models, the secondary colour comes through in their hands and hour markers.
Like most divers, the dial is clean and RAYMOND WEIL have added a rounded water droplet shaped date window at 6 o’clock, kept the text to a minimum on the dial and given each model a unidirectional dive bezel with the familiar 15 minute counter and etched 5 minute markers and numerals.
The full steel version of the freelancer diver is available with a 5-row stainless steel bracelet or a pierced rubber strap, while the two-tone models exclusively offer a 5-row stainless steel bracelet, with two of the inner links in either yellow or rose gold PVD for those wanting a more dressier look to the watch.
Additionally, each feature a screw-down engraved case-back, each with a water landscape illustration paying tribute to freedom felt at sea. RAYMOND WEIL say this represents their core value of independence and the soaring bird represents freedom and exploration, capturing the essence of Wing Foil riding and the creative DNA of RAYMOND WEIL.
Inside each is the RW4200. An automatic winding calibre with a 38 hour power reserve pivoting on 21 jewels. It’s a solid movement based on the Sellita SW200 and been used for a long time by the brand, so it’s tried and tested.
Final Thoughts
The RAYMOND WEIL Freelancer Diver collection is yet another value proposition from the brand for anyone who’s wanting a contemporary looking piece for under AUD $5,000. Unlike other brands who launch collections with too many variants to count, RAYMOND WEIL has stayed true to the classics here with the black dial/bezel on steel or rubber and the two-tone versions in yellow and rose gold PVD.
Personally, I would have loved to see the blue dial and bezel two-tone in the rose gold as well, however, it does look smart in the yellow and the black paired with rose gold is always a winner when it comes to two-tone watches. We will reserve our final judgement and verdict until we have a chance to give them some wrist time, which will hopefully be in the not too distant future.
References:
- 2775-ST1-20051 – Black dial on Steel
- 2775-SR1-20051 – Black dial on Rubber
- 2775-SP3-50051 – Blue dial two-tone Yellow Gold PVD
- 2775-S51-20051 – Black dial two-tone Rose Gold PVD
Specification:
- Case: 42.5mm, 11.7mm thick
- Case Material: Stainless Steel / steel with two-tone Yellow Gold (Blue Dial) or Rose Gold (Black dial) PVD
- Dial: Black or blue gradient dials enhanced with white Super-Luminova® on hands and indexes. Black or blue ceramic bezel inserts
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside
- Case Back: Screwed-down, stainless steel engraved case back
- Water resistance: 300 meters / 30 ATM
- Movement: RW4200 Automatic winding
- Power reserve: 38 Hours
- Bracelet: Stainless Steel / steel with two-tone Yellow Gold or Rose Gold PVD
Australian Recommended Retail Pricing:
- AUD $4,400 (Black on Rubber)
- AUD $4,500 (Black on Steel)
- AUD $4,700 (Two-tone variants)
