Last summer, the flight company easyJet, launched its first-ever easyJet Traveller Readers’ Awards, asking their passengers, to vote online for their favourite products, places and services across the network.Voters were absolutely free to enter their favorite brand, as there were no brands suggestions. 110’000 users took part to this award and the Swiss family firm Raymond Weil received the Award of the Best Watch Brand.

Raymond Weil is absolutely delighted to receive this Award from the easyJet passengers. It  is a significant recognition for the independant and family owned company and for all the partners and staff who largely contribute to the Brand’s international success.

This Award is the response to the strategy adopted in recent years, and which has brought Raymond Weil to become one of the leading brands in the watchmaking industry. Key factors in the firm’s success include the constant renewal of its product range, with the introduction of new, increasingly sophisticated mechanical timepieces (such as don giovanni così grande jumping hour); strengthening collections at the lower end of the price-range (like noemia, a feminine collection); a wider-reaching communications strategy; and the launch of the RW Club (the first club to be set up by a luxury watchmaking brand).

Source: Worldtempus

With the introduction of the Noemia timepiece collection, Swiss watch brand Raymond Weil offers a charming new overture to its feminine clientele. Crafted from polished stainless steel and accented by round brilliant diamonds, these Noemia watches express timeless elegance defined by tasteful sensuality and the expressive power of soft curves. The collection’s name is a tribute to the granddaughter of Raymond Weil, eponymous founder of the house.

Two sizes of the Raymond Weil Noemia watches will be offered–27mm and 32mm–to best accommodate fashion preferences, as well as varying wrist profiles. Options for diamond-setting include a set bezel, or case lugs with two rows of stones. The Noemia can also be configured with a delightfully harmonious stainless steel bracelet featuring a brushed center link and polished outer sections, as well as a finely crafted strap in saddle-stitched leather. Classic and exceptionally easy to read, the dials feature four polished Roman numeral figures, and eight gleaming diamonds at the other hours. These pleasing elements are complimented perfectly by tapered and highly polished hour and minute hands.

Battery-powered Swiss quartz movements are fitted inside each Raymond Weil Noemia timepiece to ensure exceptional timekeeping performance. A gently curved sapphire crystal compliments the flowing, ergonomic case profile, while offering superior resistance to scratches. The distinctive fluted crown each Noemia watch wears displays the alluring accent of a midnight blue cabochon.

Source: ViaLuxe

Different watch companies are doing different things to address their less-than-stellar sales performance these days. A large area of focus is the confusing US market. Even in good times, most foreign watch companies are confused by American watch buying trends. That combined with the fact that they rely on third parties much of the time to oversee and manage US operations and distribution has got them thinking about how to improve things. One approach being enacted by a few companies is what Raymond Weil watches just did – that is take over US operations themselves.

The recently incorporated Raymond Weil (RW) USA Corp. is a new company, but is related to the parent brand. This allows the company to have more control, and a better understanding of what is going on in the States, and how best to conduct business here. Raymond Weil is fortunate to have a history of good sales and a strong market presence in the US. The new RW USA Corp. will hire many of the existing employees from the previous distributor and focus on strengthening relations with its best retailers – mostly department and jewelry stores around the US.

There is also dedication to assisting with marketing support (very important as brand tend to not help wit expensive marketing costs), and to giving US retailers the best products for the holiday season – which is also important as for some reason US stores get shafted when it comes to getting the newest and best watch products compared to the rest of the world. As a reasonably attractive, and well priced luxury brand, Raymond Weil should come out ahead in the future if they play their cards right in the US.

The Geneva watchmaker Raymond Weil is delighted to announce a prestigious new addition to the freelancer mechanical collection: the freelancer pink gold date chronograph. With its refined aesthetics, blending modernity and technical know-how, the new chronograph symbolizes the Brand’s spirit of elegance and distinction.A sober dial in matt black, and a case in brushed, polished 18-carat pink gold, give this new version of the freelancer a daring, original look.

Along with the geometric contrast between the sharp-angled indexes and circular subdials, the choice of pink gold adds to the timepiece’s distinguished appearance. Extra dynamism comes from curved arc date-window at 3 o’clock, flanked by a horizontal aperture for the days of the week.

Each of the three subdials (minutes at 12 o’clock, hours at 6, small seconds at 9) has its own personality, differing in size and surround (applique or diamond-studded). Although it is the smallest dial of the three, the small seconds subdial stands out with its pink gold applique and accompanying screw, which reinforces the chronograph’s innovative visual appeal.The mechanical movement, with circular graining to the oscillating weight, has a 46-hour power-reserve and 28,800 vibrations per hour. To start (or stop) the chronograph function, simply press the push-piece at 2 o’clock, then re-set by using a second push-piece at 4 o’clock.

The freelancer pink gold date chronograph has an impressive 42mm diameter case and a dark brown, full-skin alligator strap with saddle-stitching, complete with folding clasp with double push-piece security.

The freelancer pink gold date chronograph: a masculine watch with a refined design and sophisticated finish – a timepiece full of style and temperament!

Source: Raymond Weil

2009 sees RAYMOND WEIL’s fully mechanical don giovanni così grande collection back with a bang! The new “jumping hour” model has a modern, refined design fully in keeping with the Brand’s avant-garde spirit – subtly blending technical know-how, precision, aesthetics and originality to produce a particularly attractive timepiece.

The latest addition to the don giovanni così grande range is an outstanding work of Haute Horlogerie, where the appeal lies in its sober elegance and mechanical sophistication. In keeping with the RAYMOND WEIL philosophy, the new timepiece reflects the independent family firm’s resolutely contemporary approach to the world of luxury.

The dial of this exceptional watch – framed by a stylish rectangular case in polished steel – appeals to the eye with its discreet design and “jumping hour” display, with the hour-hand replaced by a large, easy-to-read window at 12 o’clock, powered by the mechanical calibre RW 1400 automatic movement, with a disc featuring the numbers of the hours. Every hour, the number promptly “jumps” and appears in the window.”Movement: ‘Côtes de Genève’ décor and circular-graining; Bracelet: Black, genuine, full skin alligator strap with saddle-stitching  and RW folding clasp with double push-piece security ”

The two subdials, for minutes and seconds, are framed by diamond-tipped applique forming a figure 8, whose curved outlines – like the dial’s different-sized Arabic numerals – stand out in silver against a black ground. This dynamic dial is deliberately intended to complement the assertively masculine case.

The heart of the movement, with its 28,800 vibrations per hour, is displayed beneath the screwed sapphire crystal case-back. The stylish finish, with alternating circular-graining and Côtes de Genève décor, reflects RAYMOND WEIL’s meticulous attention to detail, with the 42-hour power reserve providing further evidence of the Geneva watchmaker’s unique savoir-faire.

Whether fitted with a saddle-stitched, full-leather black alligator strap, or a steel bracelet with double push-piece security, the don giovanni così grande “jumping hour” exudes all the elegance and refinement of the Man of Today.

The RAYMOND WEIL Nabucco mechanical collection has enjoyed rapid international success since being unveiled in 2007. Now the Swiss watchmaker is set to mark Baselworld 2009 with the launch of a new, exceptional model from this exclusively masculine range – a timepiece plunged into total darkness, symbolising the quintessence of masculine elegance.

Black. The colour of luxury and refinement, of mystery and power. A colour of total class… What other colour could better embody the unique charisma of the nabucco rivoluzione, the latest model in RAYMOND WEIL’s star collection?

The new chronograph retains the collection’s characteristic design while conveying a hitherto unequalled architectural power, underlined by the fusion of sophisticated materials and highlighted by the nocturnal colouring which transcends its mythical forms.

The sleek, 46mm-diameter case, with its circular bezel and tachometer, is made from steel and titanium to ensure resistance and endurance. Ultra-light, hi-tech carbon fibre is used to decorate the case sides, providing tremendous solidity in addition to its stylish appearance.

The watch’s use of black is made possible by the PVD metallic coating process: a technique involving the application of a thin film of chromium and titanium carbide, faithfully respecting the original design. For the nabucco rivoluzione, this is especially important for both the bezel’s exterior ring – with its alternating polished ‘godron décor’ and brushed vertical bands – and the fluted push-pieces and crown.

The dial of this mechanical timepiece also exudes a mysterious, avant-garde feel, which can be admired beneath a sapphire crystal, 2.5mm thick, with double-sided anti-glare treatment. Coated in black, the three subdials (30-minutes at 3 o’clock, 12-hours at 6 and 60-seconds at 9), along with the date-window at 4:30, are positioned on a central zone in relief embellished with three screws for optimum clarity. The indexes are perfectly integrated into the darkness of the dial; only the blue hands of the subdials, and the blue chronograph-hand, dare provide a contrast.

The watch’s beauty and sophistication culminate in its saddle-stitched crocodylus niloticus leather strap, which is both exclusive and a pleasure to wear, thanks to its folding clasp with double push-piece security, symbolizing RAYMOND WEIL’s unceasing quest for perfection. Nothing is left to chance: every detail of this exceptional timepiece has been conceived to obtain an impeccable finish and a design in keeping with the Brand’s avant-garde image.

Whereas the aesthetics of the nabucco rivoluzione again underline the audacious, independent nature of the Swiss family firm, connoisseurs of Haute Horlogerie will be definitively won over by the new model’s mechanical prowess. An ETA 7753 tri-compax automatic movement, beating at 28 800 vibrations per hour, guarantees the reliability and precision of this masculine chronograph which, with its screwed-down push-pieces, crown and case-back, is water-resistant up to 20 bars/atm.

And finishing touch once more makes all the difference with the Geneva Brand: a pair of round cufflinks, in carbon fibre and titanium coated in PVD black, echo the nabucco rivoluzione’s innovative design and make a subtle addition to a box-set that is in perfect harmony with its dark de luxe contents.

Sleek, mysterious, masculine… let yourself be tempted by the nabucco rivoluzione!