Raymond Weil Millesime Automatic Moon Phase – 39.5mm
Raymond Weil Releases a Whopping 11 New References Based on Its GPHG-Winning Millesime
With a slew of new sizes, colors, and complications, all of which cost less than $3,625, there’s a Millesime for every wrist.
By Cait Bazemore
Contributor
It’s a big moment for Raymond Weil. It notched its first-ever GPHG win in 2023, earning the “Challenge” Prize for its Millesime Small Seconds and marking one of the most important moments in the brand’s nearly 50-year history.
To date, we’ve seen just two references in the Millesime family: the 2925, featuring a central second hand and coming in four dial colors (grayish-silver, midnight blue, anthracite, and salmon), and the 2930, featuring a small seconds counter at 6 o’clock and coming with either a silver or anthracite dial.
Now, we get nearly a dozen fresh new takes on the collection that has etched Raymond Weil’s place in watchmaking history. So, let’s take a look!
Millesime Small Seconds
First, the Millesime Small Seconds (Ref. 2930) gets two new colorways: denim blue and British racing green. And like the award-winning original, both new hues come in perfectly sized 39.5mm stainless steel cases with a “glassbox” sapphire crystal.
Moreover, the combination of their vintage design with their more contemporary color palette gives the Millesime Small Seconds an extremely balanced look and feel on the wrist that’s sure to resonate with collectors, both young and old.
Inside, you’ll find the RW4251 self-winding movement, offering central hours and minutes, the model’s signature small seconds indication at 6 o’clock, and 38 hours of power reserve. Each colorway is completed with a genuine navy blue calf leather strap for the blue dial variant and a contrasting steel bracelet for the green dial.
At just $1,995 each, you can own an important piece of Raymond Weil’s legacy without breaking the bank.
Millesime Central Seconds
Raymond Weil has also expanded its Millesime Central Seconds line to include a new size and new colors.
As previously mentioned, the Millesime Central Seconds Reference 2925 initially came in a 39.5mm case and was available in four timeless colorways. Now, with the addition of the Reference 2125, the collection gets a more modestly sized 35mm case and new burgundy, denim blue, and light silver dial options
In every version, we get a beautiful monochromatic aesthetic. Here, Raymond Weil has paired two of the dial tones with a complementary calf leather strap (gray for the silver dial, navy for the blue dial) and given the burgundy model a stainless steel bracelet with rose gold PVD coating.
Both the silver and blue iterations retain a cool color palette with stainless steel cases, while the burgundy model exudes a beautiful warmth thanks to a rose gold coated build. In addition, the blue variant gets the bonus of a subtle yet elegant touch of sparkle with gem set lugs featuring more than a dozen lab-grown diamonds, totaling nearly a quarter carat.
Each version comes equipped with the RW4200 self-winding movement, which offers a 38-hour power reserve. Prices for the Ref. 2125 vary based on the style, with the silver model coming in at $1,650, the burgundy at $1,775, and the denim blue at $2,025.
Millesime Moon Phase
Raymond Weil has also added two exciting new complications to the Millesime collection. The first is an elegant moon phase. Here, the brand offers two interpretations: the Reference 2945 in 39.5mm and the Reference 2145 in 35mm.
In both versions, the handsome design of the Millesime’s sector dial acts as the foundation, giving the watch structure via more linear elements in beautiful juxtaposition to the more feminine curves of the elegant moon phase complication at 6 o’clock.
Within each size option, we get an array of designs to suit anyone’s unique style preferences. For the 39.5mm iteration, you have the choice of a monochromatic model with a stainless steel build, silver dial, and gray calf leather strap, or alternatively, a model featuring a blue dial, a navy calf leather strap, and a stainless steel case with rose gold PVD coating.
For the smaller 35mm Millesime Moon Phase, the brand offers a cool-toned variant with a stainless steel case, blue dial, navy calf leather strap, and the same diamond-set lugs we saw in the 35mm Central Seconds. There’s also a 35mm iteration featuring a stainless steel case coated with rose gold PVD, a silver dial, and the same navy blue calf leather strap.
Each and every one of the Millesime Moon Phase models, regardless of size or style, is powered by the RW4280 self-winding movement, and their prices range from $2,225 to $2,575.
Millesime Tri-Compax Chronograph
Last but certainly not least, Raymond Weil gives the Millesime collection a sporty edge with the addition of a chronograph variation (Ref. 7765). Here, the brand offers two takes on the design, one that invokes the iconic panda dial and the other in classic black.
Each style is offered with sweet-spot 39.5mm sizing in a traditional stainless steel construction. For the panda version, you get a midnight blue dial with contrasting white registers. And for the timeless black version, you get a fully blacked-out dial with contrasting white hour makers and Arabic numerals.
Priced at $3,625, both models house the RW5030 self-winding movement and are complete with a complementary calf leather strap in either navy or black.
Closing Thoughts
Raymond Weil’s GPHG win for its Millesime Small Seconds firmly solidified the line as the brand’s flagship collection and core area of focus for the future of the brand.
Now, Raymond Weil embarks upon its first Watches and Wonders exhibition by expanding on this important collection in a slew of new iterations, including the addition of exciting complications and a variety of size options to suit every wrist.
As a result, today, the celebrated Millesime line gets eleven new highly accessible references (all cost under $3,625), proving that exceptional watchmaking doesn’t have to come with a five- or six-figure price tag. For more information, check out the Raymond Weil website.
(Images © Raymond Weil)
