ReviewA Vibrant Tribute To The Greatest Rock Band Ever—Raymond Weil’s Maestro The Beatles ‘Let It Be’

Undoubtedly, no other musical group has transformed the rock and roll genre as much as The Beatles. Their immense popularity and influence largely remain intact even after over five decades since their break-up, and they continue to enjoy cult status, unlike any other mainstream musicians. Therefore, when it comes to paying a fitting tribute to this legendary English rock band, only a handful of watchmakers have enough rigour, and an understanding of the music world in order to do so. Known for crafting timepieces inspired by iconic musical acts, the Swiss-based Raymond Weil are one such brand. Over the years, they have perfectly exhibited their ingenious craftsmanship coupled with limitless creativity and have become known for their meticulously designed timepieces.

Read about Raymond Weil’s musical associations and their other Music Icons watches

Raymond Weil began their exceptional partnership with the Fab Four back in 2016, with the release of the Maestro The Beatles Limited Edition—a timepiece that commemorated the musical journey of the band. After its success and critical appreciation, they introduced two more iterations of the watch, which paid homage to The Beatles’ last recorded album Abbey Road and one of their bestselling records, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. This year, however, the watchmakers have decided to conclude the series with the fourth edition of the watch that’s based on the last album released by the group—Let It Be. The Maestro ‘Let it be’ Limited Edition isn’t just a more refined timepiece than the previous Beatles watches; it also features subtly integrated tributes that symbolise the timelessness of the famed band. Let’s dig a little deeper into what makes this timepiece a must-have for every ‘Beatlemaniac’.

A Simple And Poised Look

Released in 1970, Let It Be presented The Beatles not as some grand, out-worldly band but rather as four guys making music together in a room. The idea behind the album was to return to simplicity, and this is exactly the approach that Raymond Weil followed while designing the all-new timepiece. Sized at 40mm, it is the first Maestro watch to feature a skeletonised movement visible through a flawless cut-out on the dial, which resembles the topographic shape of the city of Liverpool, United Kingdom—the native home of the musical group. Not only this, the overall look of the watch plays on the contrast between the anthracite hue of the dial and the rose-gold plated hour indices; four of them appear in a group at the four o’clock position, in honour of the Fab Four. In addition to the central, three-hand timekeeping system, there is the brand emblem at three o’clock, which is in line with the official logo of The Beatles, at nine o’clock. Even with multiple elements and the open-worked part, the dial remains poised, elegant, and a delight to look at.

This is the first Maestro watch to feature a skeletonised movement visible through a flawless cut-out on the dial, which resembles the topographic shape of the city of Liverpool, UK

₹2,20,000

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The design plays on the contrast between the anthracite hue of the dial and the rose-gold plated hour indices; four of which are at the four o’clock position, in honour of the Fab Four

₹2,20,000

Check Our Selling Price

In addition to the central, three-hand timekeeping system, there is the brand emblem at three o’clock, which is in line with the official logo of The Beatles, at nine o’clock

₹2,20,000

Check Our Selling Price

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A Sturdy Yet Ergonomic Case

Housed in a stainless steel case, the new Maestro limited edition comes with perfectly polished surfaces and a curving two-step bezel that adds depth to its case profile. In addition to the knurled crown, the timepiece offers an ergonomic case design, thanks to its narrow, straight lugs, which makes for a super-comfortable feel on the wrist. Keeping in line with its previous iteration, Maestro The Beatles ‘Sgt Pepper’s’ Edition, this variant too comes attached with a light brown strap, made from a polyurethane material with FSC-certified vegan leather. Its colour and fuzzy texture are reminiscent of the famous coat worn by John Lennon during the band’s last live performance on the rooftop of Apple Corps in London in January 1969. What’s more, the strap is equipped with an ‘RW’—branded steel folding clasp and a double-push security system.

In addition to the knurled crown, the timepiece offers an ergonomic case design, thanks to its narrow, straight lugs, which makes for a super-comfortable feel on the wrist

A Powerful Skeletonised Movement

As mentioned before, the new Maestro The Beatles Edition offers a partially skeletonised movement. Owing to the nice cut-out on the dial, one can admire the inner workings of the calibre with its mainspring barrel, balance wheel, and segments of the gear train on display. The Sellita SW200-based RW 4215 is an automatic calibre and consists of exquisite finishes, along with skeletonised bridges, blued screws, and extensive perlage finishing. It beats at a frequency of 28,800vph and provides a minimum power reserve of 38 hours. On turning over the timepiece, the movement is visible through a lightly smoked caseback, which also features The Beatles official logo.

The Sellita SW200-based RW 4215 is an automatic calibre and consists of exquisite finishes, along with skeletonised bridges, blued screws, and extensive perlage finishing

On turning over the timepiece, the movement is visible through a lightly smoked caseback, which also features The Beatles official logo

A Perfect Ode to The Legends

Limited to just 3,000 units, the Maestro The Beatles ‘Let it be’ exemplifies Raymond Weil’s watchmaking expertise, innovation and genuine love and commitment for their musical roots. The timepiece is nothing short of an ideal homage to one of the greatest rock bands ever and a pleasant reminder of the last concert by the group, which took place some 52 years ago on the rooftop of the Apple Corps, London.

“I’m a Beatles fan, like probably most other people, but it is true that I have become even more so through meeting the passionate collectors and fans of the band,” expressed Elie Bernheim, the CEO of Raymond Weil, when this watch was unveiled. “I have come to grasp the respect and fascination they arouse in people and the impressive heritage that the group left to music. The Beatles have transcended time.”