SpotlightShow Me The Money: Raymond Weil Largo Winch Millesime Chronograph Tri Compax
The new Raymond Weil Millesime X impresses for its dollar green shade and illustrated caseback by none other than Phillipe Francq, the original comics artist who co-created the character Largo Winch
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Between innovating high complication chronographs and gemstone studded decorative timepieces, luxury watchmakers now and then decide to lighten up, take recourse in simple things that make us smile. Like our favourite cartoon and comic book characters. Some iconic examples include the Omega Speedmaster Snoopy ‘Moonwatch’ editions, Rolex Oysterdate and Datejust Mickey Mouse Dial Watches, Oris ProPilot X Kermit Edition, Tag Heuer Formula 1 Mario Kart Limited Edition, and more. The Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil has followed this suit with their latest Millesime Tri-compax Chronograph Largo Winch. This Raymond Weil Largo Winch carries forward the Millesime Chronograph Tri-compax lineage of 39.5mm case size, sector dial and counters, and a new dollar green hue. The real action, however, sits on the caseback, with Largo Winch—muscular, tanned, amber-eyed hunk with the right cheekbones—set on conquering the unfathomable, with this new Millesime snug on his wrist.
Mixing The Adventure Of Largo Winch With The Lineage Of Millesime
Largo Winch was first devised by the famous Belgian comic book writer Jean Van Damme in the 1970s. About 20 years later in the 1990s, comics artist Philippe Francq revived this character in partnership with Van Damme, through a series of novels published by the famed Belgian comics publisher, Dupuis. Its wild success led to onscreen adaptations with a TV series that aired two seasons (2001-03) in France and Germany, and a film trilogy that began in 2011 with its third instalment released this year, titled, The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure (2024). The fast-paced, racy plotline is about Largo Winch, who’s adoptive father, a billionaire industrialist, is killed, but turns out was his biological father, who lied to protect Largo’s identity from goons who are after his wealth and company Group W. Largo is on the run, trying to save his inheritance but also right the wrongs by his father, and dodge bullets at every turn.
Quite a feat then for the entry-level watchmaker to rope in the original Largo Winch artist Philippe Francq, to design the caseback for the new Millesime tricompax. The charming BTS (behind-the-scenes) videos of the Largo Winch Millesime show Francq sketching the caseback at his studio, using his painterly paraphernalia of charcoal pencils, paintbrushes, easel, and paper. Francq’s artwork exudes adventure as it shows the protagonist Largo on the famous Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge, with the background displaying the ‘Belle Epoque’ paddle steamer from the century-old Lake Geneva company, and the national flags of Geneva and Switzerland full mast—reflecting the brand’s Swiss origins. “With this watch, we explored what is referred to as the ninth art—comic books, that brought together the DNA of Millesime and Largo Winch,” Raymond Weil CEO Elie Bernheim told The Watch Guide, during his recent visit to Ethos Watches Headquarters.
Largo Winch X Raymond Weil
The Largo Winch Millesime Chronograph Tri-compax is a mix of smooth and textured surface; a design trait highlighted in its five-link integrated steel bracelet, where the brushed and polished links intertwine and end in the butterfly clasp. There’s a complementary grey genuine calf leather. Both options feature the franchise ‘W’ on the underside to symbolise Group W. Connecting the strap to the 39.5mm stainless steel case, are the vintage ‘scroll lugs’—that measure 45.5mm lug-to-lug—that are curved legs instead of straight for aesthetic purposes. The case features a brushed bezel, a fluted crown monogrammed with ‘RW’, and polished pump pushers on either side to operate the chronographs. In a vintage twist, both the dial and caseback are fitted with glassbox sapphire crystals having dual-sided antireflective coating.
Cradled within is the silver sector dial that displays a tricompax or Panda dial setup in a subtle, yet contrasting tone of green (Pantone 4214C); the exact shade of a dollar bill, the prime focus of the Largo Winch franchise—a multi-dollar business empire and the plot to steal it. An interesting detail is the pale ‘W’ logo in the small seconds sub-dial at nine o’clock. Other timekeeping details include Super-LumiNova applied Alpha hands, baton indexes and a tachymeter scale. This automatic chrono runs on the in-house RW5030 calibre that offers upto 62 hours of power reserve. Do note: the Largo Winch Tri-compax cannot handle heavy-duty outdoor sports as it offers only upto 50m water resistance.
With its understated dial and raging adventurous caseback, the Raymond Weil Millesime Chronograph Tri-compax is a good fit for formal and smart casual occasions.
The Raymond Weil Millesime Chronograph Tri-compax In A Nutshell
- Case: Stainless steel, 39.5mm; sapphire crystal glass caseback with antireflective coating; fluted monogrammed crown; polished pump pushers; scroll lugs; Caseback featuring artwork by Belgian comics artist Philippe Francq
- Functions & Display: Silver sector dial; Panda or tricompax setup display in the exact green colour (Pantone 4214C) of a dollar bill
- Movement: Hand-wound RW5030 calibre; 62 hours of power reserve
- Strap: Grey genuine calf leather strap or with steel bracelet, both having the ‘W’ detail
FAQs
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What is the difference between a bi-compax and tri-compax chronograph?
Bi-compax or twin-register models, feature two sub-dials—one for the constant, running seconds and the other to count elapsed minutes, activated only when the chronograph function is engaged. Tri-compax chronographs, on the other hand, feature three sub-dials. These sub-dials are designated for the main seconds, a chronograph minute counter, and one for the hour counter. Generally, bi-compax chronographs can record up to one hour, whereas tri-compax models can time up to 12 hours.
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How do you use a chronograph?
To use a chronograph, one needs to press the top pusher to start and stop the timing function. On the other hand, the bottom pusher often resets the chronograph hands to zero. Some models may also have additional features such as a tachymeter scale for measuring speed or distance.
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What is a small seconds dial in wristwatches?
Small seconds in wristwatches appear on a sub-dial that displays a dedicated seconds hand. A small seconds dial not only adds a visual distinction to the watch face but also enhances legibility. The small seconds complication is particularly valued in high-end timepieces.
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