Swiss watch brand Raymond Weil (Raymond Weil) has released six new "Milos" timepieces. These new models feature the brand's signature moon phase display, with a hand-painted moon face, dubbed the "Happy Smiling Moon Phase," adorning the dial. This detail, expressing the lunar cycle, offers a blend of retro charm and a contemporary approach.

Raymond Weil is an independent watch brand founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1976. Founder Raymond Weil established the brand during a critical period when the traditional Swiss mechanical watch industry was facing the quartz crisis. His aim was to revive mechanical watches and pass on traditional craftsmanship. To achieve this, the brand has consistently offered timepieces that fuse precise engineering with innovative design.

Weil, born into a musical family, established art and music as the brand's core, embodying the concept of "Music & Art" to create high-quality watches at accessible prices.

Currently, the third generation, Elie Bernheim, serves as CEO, and Raymond Weil has secured a firm position in the watch industry. In particular, its flagship collections like "Freelancer," "Milos," and "Maestro" are highly regarded by watch enthusiasts. The brand has also garnered attention through collaborations with global artists such as The Beatles, Bob Marley, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. In 2023, the "Milos" collection won the "Challenge Watch Prize" at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix (GPHG), further solidifying its innovative spirit and design excellence, which continue to win over a growing number of watch fans.

The six new "Milos" models announced this time are a testament to the brand's heritage and tradition, skillfully blending contemporary technology and design. Their most distinctive feature is the moon phase display located at the 6 o'clock position on the dial. The moon phase is a particularly captivating detail in watchmaking, with its rotating disc indicating the lunar cycle, lending an elegant impression to those who admire the timepiece.

In this model, the moon's face is hand-painted, and its expression is affectionately known as the "Happy Smiling Moon Phase." The design, with its gently smiling moon, evokes a sense of retro charm while conveying a message of bringing happiness to the wearer.

This model features a "sector dial" inspired by the Art Deco style of the 1930s. The sector dial's structure, displaying hour, minute, and second markers on different tracks, contributes to its classic aesthetic. Closer inspection reveals subtle variations in height and finishing, lending a modern sharpness, while the hands are designed with a contemporary, refined touch. The dial itself is a three-dimensional construction, with height gradually increasing from the center towards the hour track, and the outermost minute track is angled outwards, enhancing its sense of depth.

The case is available in two sizes: a 39.5mm diameter, reflecting modern watch trends, and a 35mm diameter, reminiscent of smaller vintage models. The 39.5mm version features simple bar indices for a stylish impression, while the 35mm model uses Arabic numerals for enhanced legibility. Both sizes are slim (approximately 10mm thick) yet offer 5 ATM water resistance, making them practical and reliable for everyday wear.

The crystal is a box-shaped sapphire crystal, evoking the look of vintage plastic crystals. By cutting high-hardness sapphire crystal, produced with modern technology, into a beautiful box shape, it achieves both durability and aesthetic appeal without compromising the vintage feel. Furthermore, the case lugs are elongated with rounded tips that curve significantly towards the case back, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit on the wrist.

Two strap options are available: calfskin leather, known for its soft texture and vintage feel, and a durable stainless steel bracelet. The calfskin straps feature a uniformly smooth finish on the edges, highlighting their refined craftsmanship. The stainless steel bracelet is a five-link design, combining brushed and polished finishes similar to the case, creating a look that is both modern and classic.

The movement is the "Cal.RW4280," a proprietary Raymond Weil caliber based on the reliable Sellita "Cal.SW280" automatic movement. This movement's intricate workings can be admired through the transparent case back. The rotor, shaped like Raymond Weil's initial "W," rotates gracefully, showcasing not only its precision and reliability but also a commitment to mechanical beauty.

These new models are true neo-vintage pieces, representing a masterful fusion of Raymond Weil's aesthetic sensibilities and cutting-edge technology. With their vintage designs reinterpreted for the modern era, they are sure to appeal to lovers of art and music. The moon phase display, the meticulous attention to detail in the design, and the beauty born from the high-precision movement make these timepieces true works of horological art.

Milos Collection (6 models)
Movement | RW4280 (SW280), automatic
Case Size | Diameter 39.5mm x Thickness 10.05mm, Diameter 35mm x Thickness 9.98mm
Case Material | Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel (Rose Gold PVD)
Bezel Material | Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel (Rose Gold PVD)
Crystal | Sapphire Crystal (Double-sided anti-reflective coating)
Water Resistance | 5 ATM
Strap Material | Calfskin Leather / Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel (Rose Gold PVD)
Price | ¥374,000 - ¥451,000