Raymond Weil breaks the mould of its own Freelancer collection with the launch of a pilot’s watch. The Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph is a limited edition of 400 pieces and cleverly combines all the conventions of a pilot’s watch with the timelessly elegant DNA of its Freelancer family.
Launched in 2007, the Raymond Weil Freelancer watch collection is typically reserved for the Swiss watchmaker’s modern and effortlessly-wearable dress watches. The name “Freelancer” is derived from the idea of independence and individuality, reflecting the watches’ versatile style and casual elegance. What the collection is rarely known for however is pilot’s watches. And yet here we are, introducing the new Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph Limited Edition into the series. Raymond Weil have only created a handful of pilot’s watches during their short history but each one has been executed sublimely, paying homage to its founder, Mr Raymond Weil, and his own love of aviation.
You’d be forgiven for mistaking the Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph as a titanium watch, but in fact the 42mm-wide case is engineered from stainless steel with a grey PVD coating. The coating is then brushed for a slightly “worn” look. The stylings of the case satiate the conventions of previous Freelancer chronographs. There’s a smooth fixed bezel, long bevelled lugs, a height of 13.8mm, sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating and two piston-style chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock. The 2 o’clock pusher stop, starts and resets the chronograph while the 4 o’clock pusher manipulates the reset and flyback functions. A noticeable difference to the case is the crown which is large and onion-shaped – typical of a pilot’s watch. The crown is engraved with the RW logo and screwed down to allow for a 100 metre water resistant rating.
Matching with the rugged aesthetic of the grey PVD coated case, the dial of the Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph Limited Edition is done in a handsome military green. There’s no shortage of finishing on display here, each working nicely with the rest to provide effortless readability. There’s rough graining on the hour track, fine graining on the sunken centre and circular snailing on the two subsidary dials for the small seconds and 30 minutes counter. Each section is finished in khaki green with only the Arabic numerals and hour and minute hands obviously standing out in Superluminova and the central chronograph seconds hand and 30 minutes counter hand contrasting in yellow. The lettering for “Flyback” at 6 o’clock is also applied in yellow sitting above printing for “Automatic” and below the Raymond Weil logo.
To power the Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph watch, the Swiss watchmaker introduces an entirely new movement to their collection. Named the automatic winding RW5530 calibre, there’s only a little we know about the movement so far. Most importantly, it comes with a rare flyback chronograph complication which allows you to restart the chronograph without having to reset it, meaning you can time consecutive events without delay. It also has a column wheel and a horizontal coupling, 29 jewels and a power reserve of 56 hours. You can enjoy the movement through the Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph Limited Edition’s exhibition case back which is painted with a propeller motif. The design is completed by a comfortable brown leather strap with matching brown stitching, riveted detailing and a grey PVD coated push button deployment clasp.
If you’d like to learn more about the new Raymond Weil Freelancer Pilot Flyback Chronograph watch and secure one of the 400 limited edition pieces 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: 42mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with grey PVD coating
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition with propeller decoration
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: RW5530 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph seconds, 30 minutes counter
- Power Reserve: 56 hours
- Jewels: 29
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Khaki green with Superluminova hands and numerals
- Strap: Brown calfskin
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £3,695
- Limited: 400 pieces
- Reference: 7783-TIC-05520
