To Catch a Thief: RAYMOND WEIL’s New Freelancer Chronograph Is Just Like Cary Grant

RAYMOND WEIL has a longstanding relationship with chronographs built upon the brand’s vast expertise, so it should come as no surprise that the Freelancer Chronograph 7741 features mechanical excellence. And at its heart is the Calibre RW5030. Visible through the exhibition caseback, this automatic chronograph movement has a weekend-proof 56-hour power reserve.

What’s more is that the fine details of the design were executed perfectly, resulting in a classic tri-compax watch that’s well-equipped for modern-day life. And as gas prices rise, we appreciate Swiss watchmaker RAYMOND WEIL’s commitment to creating affordable luxury more and more.
 

But we also love that the independently owned and operated Swiss brand consistently upgrades the standards of its offerings with more mechanical movements and finer finishings. They’re moving upmarket while remaining accessible in price and availability. And the elegant Freelancer Chronograph 7741 – be it on a luxe black calf leather strap or a sporty stainless steel bracelet – is an excellent example of the manufacture’s ability to speak to a more adventurous audience.
 

Why pair it with a classic convertible? Simple: Our obsession with convertibles started with Cary Grant in the 1955 movie To Catch a Thief. No one was cooler than Cary Grant’s retired cat burglar speeding through France with Grace Kelly by his side, and the Freelancer Chronograph 7741 exudes that same rakish elegance. In fact, the dial alone really demonstrates just how far RAYMOND WEIL has advanced in overall refinement.
 

The 43.5mm stainless-steel case utilizes a combination of brushed and polished surfaces, lending the watch a premium appearance. Another luxe touch is the grooved outer dial that frames the three chrono counters and the curved hour markers tipped with Super-LumiNova. Meanwhile, the bold, barrel-shaped hour and minute hands are also well-lumed for maximum legibility both in bright and limited light.
 

RAYMOND WEIL’s designers opted to skip the date display, allowing more room for the dial indications, and tweaked the dial composition by presenting the company’s logo on an applied panel. Finally, the bezel features a sumptuous scratch-resistant ceramic inlay marked with a tachymeter scale, adding to its practicality and luxury bona fides.