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ReviewThe Refined Artistry Of The Raymond Weil Freelancer Calibre RW1212 Skeleton

The Raymond Weil Freelancer RW1212 Skeleton features four open-worked 42mm timepieces, powered by the innovative, high-frequency Calibre RW1212 Skeleton automatic movement

Mohak Gupta January 18, 2024

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Launched in 2007, the Freelancer is one of Raymond Weil’s top-selling collections, offering a diverse range of sophisticated mechanical versions. The brand’s penchant for pushing boundaries has allowed them to achieve various shapes and styles for the Freelancer collection, be it with chronographs, GMTs, or skeletonised timepieces. The open-worked Freelancer versions seamlessly blend boldness, innovation, and elegance, presenting variants in brown or black. Known as the Freelancer Calibre RW1212 Skeleton, the series currently hosts four 42mm versions; two in steel and black PVD, one in steel and rose gold PVD, and the fourth one in steel with bronze bezel. Powered by the innovative automatic movement Calibre RW1212, these skeletonised timepieces reveal the intricate open-worked details of the engine and the fascinating horological aesthetic of these references. The cutting-edge movement introduces a captivating dimension to the Freelancer family with its four distinct executions, each one with a unique personality that elevates this pioneering collection.

Open-Worked Wonder: The Raymond Weil Freelancer Calibre RW1212 Skeleton

The four open-worked Raymond Weil Freelancer versions in focus find their power in the new calibre RW1212 that adds to the brand’s repertoire of ever-evolving in-house movements. Enclosed within 42mm cases, the Freelancer RW1212 Skeleton permits the movement’s assembly and open-worked details to take centre stage. These timepieces are incredibly distinctive in their design approach, owing to the visible balance wheel positioned at six o’clock.

The open-worked dials may appear busy, but the Freelancer Calibre RW1212 Skeleton remains a two-hand version, providing an understated display of hours and minutes. While one black version features a galvanic black dial with a matching black circular 60-minute scale, the other black reference delivers elegant rose-coloured indexes. All four timepieces have cases fitted with a screwed-down crown and dual-sided antiglare sapphire crystal for heightened legibility of reading time and admiring the skeletal dial.

The version with the tachymeter scale features a black rubber strap with grey stitching, the version with the rose tone indexes is attached to a black calf leather strap, the two-tone Freelancer RW1212 Skeleton has a brown calf leather strap, and the stainless steel version with bronze bezel features an aged brown leather strap. The bronze version is further accentuated by a rich patina that lends a lavish character to the individual timepieces. All Freelancer RW1212 Skeleton watches are water-resistant up to 100m.

The Enigmatic Calibre RW1212

On the heels of introducing their inaugural in-house movement in collaboration with Swiss movement manufacturer Sellita back in 2017, Raymond Weil presented the exclusive Calibre RW1212 Skeleton automatic movement. During the innovating stage, the research-and-development team at Raymond Weil meticulously reimagined every element connected to the exquisite in-house movement, with the aim of giving it an extra level of intricacy and distinctiveness.

The journey involved deconstructing of the reliable calibre RW4200 to analyse every component in detail. The primary focus is the balance wheel as the central feature at six o’clock. This thorough process led to the creation of the aesthetic and masterful movement, the calibre RW1212. The self-winding calibre RW1212 operates at a frequency of 28,800vph and can store approximately 38 hours of power reserve. The engineering and artistry of these open-worked dials offer a captivating glimpse into the calibre adorned with perlage finish on the visible plates.

Raymond Weil presented the exclusive Calibre RW1212 Skeleton automatic movement in collaboration with the Swiss movement manufacturer Sellita
The self-winding Calibre RW1212 operates at a frequency of 28,800vph and provides approximately 38 hours of power reserve
In the innovation phase, Raymond Weil's R&D team reimagined every element of the in-house movement, aiming to add extra intricacy and distinctiveness
The engineering of the open-worked dials of the Freelancer Skeleton versions offers a captivating glimpse into the calibre adorned with perlage finish on the visible plates
The emphasis on the balance wheel at six o’clock drove the thorough process, culminating in the creation of the aesthetic and masterful movement Calibre RW1212

Raymond Weil Freelancer Calibre RW1212 Skeleton Shop the Collection

The Raymond Weil Freelancer Skeleton versions avow with the intricacies of the RW1212 movement and thus, are fine examples of exquisite Swiss watchmaking.