Horologii

Raymond Weil Freelancer GMT Worldtimer Watch Review

Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil adds a complication typically reserved for haute-horlogerie to their timeless and affordable Freelancer watch. The new Raymond Weil Freelancer GMT Worldtimer collection sees a dual-crown GMT function paired with a sophisticated rotating worldtimer bezel.

If you ask us, Raymond Weil doesn’t get enough attention. The independent luxury watch brand has been at the forefront of traditional Swiss watch manufacture for almost half a century, innovating with elegant aesthetics and high-precision mechanical movements. The brand has largely been inspired by music over the years, creating music-inspired collections like the Maestro and Toccata, as well as the flagship Freelancer collection which has hosted musical collaborations with Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC and David Bowie to name just a few. For their latest instalment of Freelancer watches, Raymond Weil step away from music and put their focus on the needs of international travellers with a range of Freelancer GMT Worldtimer watches.

The cases of the new Raymond Weil Freelancer GMT Worldtimer watches are much like Freelancer models that have come before it, offering up perfectly round profiles, long, angular lugs and smooth fixed bezels. The cases measure to 40.5mm in diameter and 9.7mm thick and come in a choice of two styles. The first is reference 2765-SBC-52001 with a brushed stainless steel case, a bronze bezel and a pair of matching bronze crowns. Meanwhile, reference 2765 BKC-20001 is crafted entirely from black DLC coated stainless steel. There’s sapphire crystal glass on both the front and back of the watches, a 100 metre water resistant rating and a khaki green or black leather strap.

On the right-hand side of the Raymond Weil Freelancer GMT Worldtimer’s case, you’ll spot two screw down crowns at the 2 and 4 o’clock positions. These give you access to the time-zone altering complications on the dial. The crown at 2 o’clock lets you control the movement within while the 4 o’clock crown allows you to rotate the internal worldtimer bezel. Raymond Weil have cleverly marked each crown accordingly with the 2 o’clock crown signed off by the brand’s logo and the 4 o’clock crown marked by a globe emblem to denote its worldtimer functionality.

Pairing with the two contrasting case colours, the Raymond Weil Freelancer GMT Worldtimer watch comes in a choice of two dials. Bronze-accented reference 2765-SBC-52001 is adorned in a gorgeous khaki green shade with numerous concentric circular sections, a grooved ring, baton-shaped hour markers and a printed minute track. There is of course the 24 hour ring and the internal worldtimer bezel which displays the names of all 24 major cities. The central section of the dial boasts a gorgeous gradient effect and hosts Superluminova coated hands for the hours, minutes, seconds and GMT. The layout of reference 2765 BKC-20001 with its all-black case is exactly the same, except it elects a black to light taupe gradient finish. Both designs also feature a date window at 6 o’clock.

Powering the Raymond Weil Freelancer GMT Worldtimer watches is the brand’s Calibre 3230 automatic winding movement which takes its base from the elaboré-grade version of the Sellita SW330-2. It allows for a decent 50-hour power reserve, a frequency of 28,800vph and 47 jewels. As previously mentioned, you can see the movement through the sapphire crystal exhibition case back when the watch is off your wrist.

If you’d like to learn more about the new Raymond Weil Freelancer GMT Worldtimer watch collection and shop the designs for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications:

  • Case Size: 40.5mm
  • Case Material: Stainless steel with bronze bezel and crown or black DLC coated steel
  • Bezel: Fixed, internal worldtimer bezel
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
  • Crown: Screw in
  • Case Back: Exhibition
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Movement: Calibre RW3230 automatic winding
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT, worldtimer
  • Power Reserve: 50 hours
  • Jewels: 47
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Gradient green or black, Superluminova hands and markers
  • Strap: Leather
  • Buckle: Folding with double-push security system
  • Limited: No
  • RRP: £2,195
  • Reference: 2765-SBC-52001, 2765 BKC-20001