FeatureRaymond Weil Watches: Hitting The Right Notes Since Decades
In advance of the BRIT Awards 2018, we examine the interesting synergy between music and Raymond Weil, the official watch and timing partner for UK’s premier music awards
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This year will mark the 14th year the watchmaker has supported the BRIT awards, which will take place on February 21, 2018, at the O2 Arena in London. In its celebration, Raymond Weil has launched two new special-edition timepieces to be given to all nominees, winners, presenters and performers: a BRIT Awards Special Edition Raymond Weil Gents Tango Diver and a Ladies Tango, both engraved with the BRIT Awards logo on the back. The family-owned luxury watch brand has been rewarding artists with limited edition Raymond Weil Brit Award timepieces.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Raymond Weil was spawned by a simple desire in 1976: to save the watchmaking industry in the times of the quartz crisis. Over the years, in congruence with this mission, they have managed to carve out space for themselves and burgeoned into one of the world’s finer watch brands. The ownership of the Raymond Weil dynasty has come down three generations, who have taken a fresh look at the world of music through their timekeeping instruments and successfully intertwined watchmaking craftsmanship with music-themed collections.
Pioneering watchmaker Raymond Weil, who established his own brand at the age of 50, was a life-long music lover. His daughter, Diana inherited this passion and is now a virtuoso pianist. Elie Bernheim, the grandson of the founder, had a musically-inclined childhood as well and is now preserving the exceptional heritage of the company as the current CEO.
The Raymond Weil Symphony
Through their offerings in horology, Raymond Weil started implanting music into the brand’s DNA as early as 1983 with the launch of the Amadeus collection, named after the classical Austrian composer, Mozart. It was soon followed by a slew of music-inspired collections, such as Fidelio, Traviata, Saxo, Toccata, Fantasia, Nabucco, Maestro, etc.
The aim is to forge a deeper relationship and have a strong influence through the universal language of music. In 2007, as a step towards this goal, Raymond Weil joined hands with British soul singer Lemar to support Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, the largest music therapy charity in the United Kingdom. On June 21, 2014, they celebrated the first Raymond Weil Music Day.
Every year, as part of this celebration, they conduct a unique contest where participants get a chance to win exclusive tickets for highly awaited music concerts around the globe. An innovative partnership with Universal Music was announced at Baselworld 2016, which offered a bespoke digital music service specifically developed by the music giant for the Swiss watchmaker. As a supporter of the singing competition reality TV series, American Idol and VH1 Save the Music Foundation, the watch company has played an active role in promoting new and upcoming artists.
For nearly half a century, they have been designing unique collections to pay homage to global music legends that include Giuseppe Verdi, violinist Nicola Benedetti (the brand’s first female music ambassador), guitarist Milos Karadaglic, Labrinth and 2Cellos. The music-loving brand has also enjoyed collaborations with British artists, Emeli Sandé, Tinie Tempah, Pixie Lott and James Bay.
In their newer limited editions, like the Maestro Buddy Holly Limited Edition, David Bowie Freelancer Special Edition and Bob Marley Tango 300 Limited Edition, Raymond Weil has incorporated subtle elements that are an ode to these timeless music legends. In the Buddy Holly mechanical watch, the small seconds sub-dial reveals a miniature pair of glasses as the counterweight on the hand, which were an iconic element of the musician’s look.
Raymond Weil immortalises David Bowie, the everlasting legend, in a free-spirited special edition that features remarkable Bowie trademarks in a sleek, stainless steel case. The special edition Tango 300 Bob Marley reflects the colour palette that represents the Ethiopian national flag.
Here we take a look at the most recent exclusive special editions that celebrate the brand’s musical associations.
Maestro The Beatles ‘Abbey Road’ – The Ones Who Transcended Time
This mechanical watch with automatic winding is an excellent tribute to arguably the biggest rock band in the world, The Beatles. Housed in a 39.5mm polished stainless-steel case, this timepiece pays homage to Abbey Road, which was the last album recorded and is regarded by many as one of the greatest albums of all time.
The sleek black dial mimics the look of a vinyl record. This limited edition features a 38-hour power reserve, a date window at three o’clock and the official Beatles logo at the centre of the dial and on the sapphire crystal caseback. Presented in an exclusive watch box that also features the Beatles logo, this is a treasure item for Beatles aficionados, collectors and audiophiles.
Gibson Les Paul Freelancer – Strumming To The Beats Of Time
This men’s limited edition automatic chronograph watch is a tribute to the legendary Les Paul Gibson guitar. Embodying elegance with a hint of rebellion, the freelancer is inspired by the ‘Gibson Les Paul’ model. Giving it character is its ebony perforated calf leather strap, which is reminiscent of the sound holes on the body of a guitar. The tachymeter bezel is enhanced with black PVD coating, inspired by the lacquer on the historic Black Beauty guitar.
The circular guilloché motif features six chords with fret-shaped hour markers. The mechanical self-winding movement ensures a 46-hour power reserve. The black dial houses a date window between four and five o’clock. The name of the renowned guitar manufacturer, the Les Paul signature and the split diamond inlay on the dial make this a characteristically stunning watch.
Bernheim once said, “The power of music is also about travelling in time.” With a longstanding and relentless association with the music industry, this independent brand has been vigorously promoting free-spiritedness, uninhibited grandeur and celebration of life.