FREELANCER URBAN BLACK

Striking and seductive, a note of black color has just appeared on RAYMOND WEIL’s musical score. Through its modernism, the first freelancer model in black PVD, the freelancer Urban Black, serves as a window to the future of the collection. This new watchmaking instrument plunges us into a universe of intense urban sophistication for a brief moment, like the pause between notes.

Freelancer – whose name recalls that the Swiss Brand is one of the last independent watchmaking companies – has not stopped evolving over the years. Whatever its attractions, the collection distinguishes itself by its both elegant and relaxed appearance, its characteristic, beveled horns that are completely different from all the others, and the graphic application of its screws. As the collection’s icon, the chronograph has reinvented itself over the years with its various dials, hands and bracelets, while always searching in the same innovational and avant-garde direction.

In 2012, the chronograph has coated its 42mm case in black PVD. Its black, galvanic, opaline dial has 8 luminescent Arabic numerals with silver-powdered edges. The style is eye-catching, just like the powerful garnet red of the chronograph’s tachometer numbers and hands. The screws, the collection’s recurring graphic symbols, anchor the applique securely around the date aperture, traditionally displaying three days. Two small counters provide the ultimate details of a dial with completely revised parameters – the 30 minutes at 12 o’clock and the 12 hours at 6 o’clock – boldly truncated in the area surrounding the seconds counter at 9 o’clock, which is itself slightly smaller. In contrast with the dial’s modern, graphic features, the case back is transparent and reveals the throbbing mechanical heart of the timekeeper, equipped with 25 rubies and a power reserve of 46 hours. For its part, the oscillating weight is embellished in black for the occasion. Finally, the extreme hardness of the PVD coating the case and folding clasp contrasts with the softness of the strap’s semi-matt, black calfskin. Elegance and comfort.

Bold and innovating, there is no doubt that the freelancer Urban Black will be one of the key moments of RAYMOND WEIL’S 2012 musical score.