The new Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph Bronze 7780 watch takes inspiration from the open road and a customised motorbike crafted by the artisans at Meister Engineering. It’s solid bronze case, tachymeter bezel, bi-compax dial and brown leather strap recall elements of the vehicle and together create a stunning vintage-looking timepiece.
Founded in 1976, Raymond Weil are one of the few remaining independent family watchmakers in Switzerland. The business is now headed by Elie Bernheim, grandson of the founder who gave his name to the company. The luxury watch brand continues to lead the way in design and manufacture, often celebrating music and art in their designs. For their latest release however, Raymond Weil look towards the open road, creating a 300 piece limited edition watch inspired by a motorcycle. According to the press release for the Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph Bronze 7780 watch, the Swiss watch manufacturer wanted to procure a customised motorbike for promotional purposes and so asked help from specialist firm Meister Engineering. In the end, the partnership delivered an exciting two-wheeled work of art which is now reinterpreted in a new limited edition Raymond Weil watch.
The Case
A defining feature of the brand’s customised motorbike is a rose gold foil fuel tank; this now inspires the bronze case of the new Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph watch. Measuring to 43.5mm in diameter and 13.7mm in height, the bronze case will naturally mature and develop its own patina over time meaning every 300-piece limited edition will be completely unique to the wearer. The fluted crown and chronograph pushers are also engineered from bronze while the case back is finished in stainless steel with titanium colour coating.
On top, the Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph Bronze 7780 Limited Edition presents a contrasting black satin-finished ceramic bezel. The bezel is adorned with a sporty tachymeter scale, like the one engraved on the motorcycle tank cap, allowing you to determine the speed of a motorbike, or any vehicle of your choice over a known distance. Securing the case to the wrist is a rich brown calfskin leather strap evoking the same material of the motorbike’s seat. The strap is paired with contrasting cream stitching and a bronze folding buckle with a double push security system.
The Dial
Beneath sapphire crystal glass with anti-glare treatment on both sides, the Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph Bronze 7780 watch opts for a smoked black dial inspired by the customised motorcycle’s own gradient effect paint. On the outskirts, a bronze coloured flange delivers a pulsometer scale for determining yours or someone else’s heart rate which slopes down into a black minutes track and snailed ring for the golden applied indexes. To match, the hour and minute hands are also finished in rose gold and ensure easy legibility thanks to Superluminova inserts.
For the chronograph complication, subtle accents of red are included on the central chronograph seconds hand and 30 minute register. The chronograph counters are decorated in a bronze hue for a nice contrast against the black smoked backdrop and offer perfect symmetry with their bicompax layout. Also ensuring balance on the dial is a date display at 6 o’clock presented in black.
The Movement
Powering the Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph Bronze 7780 watch is the mechanical automatic winding Calibre RW5030 movement. Alongside 27 jewels and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, we’re promised a power reserve of 56 hours when fully wound. The Swiss made movement can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back of the watch including its W-shaped skeletonised oscillating rotor, a letter chosen to honour the surname of Raymond Weil’s founder.
Price & Availability
The Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph Bronze 7780 watch retails at £3,495 and is available to order now. If you’d like to learn more and order one of the 300 limited edition pieces for yourself, head 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.
