Precision, quality and reliability are three main components of Raymond Weil luxury watches. Inspired by music, the watchmaking company is one of the last family-owned and operated independent Swiss brands in the watchmaking industry José María Ramos, business development director, who leads the distribution for 60 markets across the globe, has recently shared his vision and insights with Nargis Magazine.
Share with us the history of the Raymond Weil brand.
It all started in 1976, in the middle of a watch industry crisis, when Mr Raymond Weil decided to found his own company and turn his vision of what Swiss watchmaking should be into actual timepieces that would bring a new dimension to the industry. Mr Weil’s creations were immediately praised by watch enthusiasts – amateurs and connoisseurs alike. Once strongly settled in Switzerland, and carried along by both his enthusiasm and his experience, the founder of RAYMOND WEIL explored Europe and the whole world to gradually put together an international network. It is now a famous brand and one of the flagships of the Swiss watchmaking industry.
What are the most essential values of the brand?
The RAYMOND WEIL brand brings together all the elements of excellence of the Swiss luxury watchmaking industry. Precision, quality, reliability, nobility and the technical nature of the materials are many standards that the Geneva-based Brand combines to create its models. This knowhow confers RAYMOND WEIL its watchmaking legitimacy. A priority among the Brand’s guiding principles is its orientation toward the future. This principle is applied in the constant upgrading of technical know-how and equipment within the Company, enabling the computer-aided design and production of new products, using methods and materials which are truly visionary. The Company is constantly looking for new ways and approaches to secure its future evolution. It has chosen to build rather than rest on its laurels.
What distinguishes Raymond Weil from other watchmaking brands?
Beauty and aesthetic proportions are no coincidence. Thanks to its experience, know-how and to the mechanical precision of its watchmakers, RAYMOND WEIL is capable of transforming a design concept into a high-quality watch to please its demanding clients. From conception through to the final stage of assembly, the attention to quality is constant. The experienced watchmaker’s hands and eyes and his traditional tools are highlighted by highly sophisticated technology. Each watch is minutely examined and undergoes 350 checks before receiving the RAYMOND WEIL quality label.
Raymond Weil places a high value on innovation and technology, what kind of innovations are exclusive to the brand?
Calibre RW1212 is a tribute to the present and a symbol of the future. Its name picks up the digits of our address here in Switzerland: 1212, standing for the Geneva suburb Grand-Lancy. It symbolizes the path we have travelled to date and the free-spirited approach we bring to watchmaking. It is our first in-house movement, born from our partnership with the Swiss movement manufacturer Sellita.
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What aspect of your job is invincible yet equally important?
It's a very interesting question. Being responsible for nearly 60 markets for Raymond Weil, I frequently travel all over the world and my main mission is to expand and consolidate our presence in the global watchmaking industry. The relationship and commitment with our local partners are the keys to success to achieve market share in every market.
On the other side, digital expansion comes today as a priority in our development with challenging projects to engage with new audiences and channels.
What model are you wearing today?
The freelancer 7741, a tri-compax chronograph brimming with elegance. The 43.5mm stainless steel case encompasses a combination of brushed and polished surfaces, imbuing the watch with a sumptuous appearance. Both the hands and indexes are lined with luminescent treatment, aiding readability in restricted light. The bezel features a scratch-resistant ceramic inlay, marked with a tachymeter scale, contributing to the refined and luxurious feel. On this model, the 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph registers are equipped with highly legible white hands, while all three counters are framed with silver-toned circlets. The hour track is snailed, adding a delightful texture to the display, and the dial is slightly smoked, contributing to the model’s handsome appearance.
