New: Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection :

Raymond Weil releases a whole new collection which they call the A.R.T. Collection. This is their first whole collection with an integrated bracelet.

Press Release information with commentary in italics.

New: Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection

The Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection is proposed in two families. The Ref. 1000 series with mechanical movements and the Ref. 1250 series with quartz movements. This article focuses on the Ref. 1000 mechanical watches, which have 5 models. Prices are CHF 1,795 fo the full steel models, and CHF 1895 for the models in steel and gold bracelets.

Commentary

It is a matter of time Raymond Weil got onto the integrated bracelet design bandwagon. This new release set is the maison’s first foray into this genre and they release 14 new references in two families. Both share the same basic architecture of a bracelet which extends as part of the case middle and a bezel set on top of the flat part. The bezel has polished sloped shoulders and is round. The bracelet is a H-link design with rather nice curves and feature polished bevels. The dial is offered in three colourways viz sage grey, metallic blue or graphite.

**Left on the lady is the Ref. 1250 Quartz model. On the right on the gentleman is the Ref. 1000 automatic watch.**

All variants sport a sunray brushed center with a slightly raised minute track in the periphery. Syringe hands are used for both the hours and minutes as well as for the slim center seconds. Bar markers are specified for the hours, with a date aperture open at 3 o’clock. The Press Release is silent on the origin of the movement, stating only that it is self-winding mechanical. The release also does not show any images of the movement, and the watch features a closed case back. The specifications also does not state if the bimetallic variants have gold bezels and links, though given the CHF 100 price increment is probably plated.

The design is clean and is clearly a masterwork by a designer who knows the market well. It embraces the key elements of the integrated bracelet watch, while avoiding the pitfalls. It can be described as timeless, but can also be interpreted as generic. There is a deja vu feel when looking at the watches, but yet, on closer examination, these are original designs, with perhaps leaves taken from other more famous offerings already in the market.

What Raymond Weil provides is a lower entry to this genre. Though, in the competitive landscape, similar specified watches like the Tissot’s PRX Powermatic and Citizen’s Zenshin are less expensive..

Release details

A new collection designed to keep pace with modern life

Today, the boundaries between the different times of the day are fading. Work, leisure and social time are no longer clearly separated – instead, they flow seamlessly into one another, calling for items that can adapt to every moment.

“With A.R.T., we wanted to create a watch that reflects the way people live today. A watch that moves naturally from one moment of the day to the next, while preserving the elegance and watchmaking expertise that define RAYMOND WEIL.”

Elie Bernheim, CEO of RAYMOND WEIL.

This collection embraces a new reality, with a watch that adapts effortlessly to every moment. Refined and sport-chic, contemporary and timeless, it moves through daily life with ease — from office to travel, from city life to elegant nights out.

A new collection underpinned by contemporary design

The collection asserts a strong identity through a distinctive case architecture, enhanced by polished bevels and controlled curves that define its lines. It is a resolutely contemporary piece, and stands out for its clean aesthetic, where every curve is precisely designed to refine the volumes with subtlety.

The watch is defined by a signature bezel with sculpted lines, continuing into a new integrated bracelet. Its H-shaped links, finished with polished bevels, are refined by subtly chamfered intermediate side links — a first for the brand. Conceived as a natural extension of the case, the ensemble forms a fluid, perfectly balanced silhouette, combining elegance with exceptional comfort on the wrist.

The finishing highlights the full precision of this construction. Satin-brushed surfaces interact with polished bevels, capturing the light to accentuate the contours and highlight every detail. This contrast of textures elevates the whole piece, from bezel to case and bracelet.

The fluted crown, whose geometry echoes that of the bezel, integrates seamlessly and enhances the watch’s contemporary character. Designed to follow the natural shape of the wrist, the integrated bracelet is central to the collection’s identity, underlining its sport-chic style and versatility.

A dial crafted with meticulous attention to detail

The dial showcases meticulous craftsmanship, where each detail plays a part in the watch’s aesthetic harmony. It features a sophisticated dual finish: a sunray-brushed centre that catches the light and creates depth, paired with a delicately azuré minute track that structures the time display. The recessed groove separating the two surfaces adds depth, finesse and a strong sense of precision.

Applied indexes and faceted hands, filled with Super-LumiNova®, guarantee excellent legibility in all light conditions. At three o’clock, a chamfered date window blends harmoniously into the dial. A luminescent dot on the minute track balances the composition whilst also improving readability.

The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective, anti-fingerprint coating, guaranteeing optimal clarity in everyday wear.

A technical approach designed to maximise versatility

The A.R.T. collection brings together elegance and robustness. The watch is water-resistant to 100 metres, while its solid case back offers an ideal canvas for personalised engraving. Available in two case sizes and two Swiss Made movements, it is designed to suit a variety of uses and styles.

The 38mm model (ref. 1000), powered by a mechanical automatic movement with a 41-hour power reserve, is available in five references. This timepiece is housed in a round case, which is only 9.95 mm thick. The dials are available in sage grey, metallic blue and graphite, paired with steel or bi-colour bracelets that extend the integrated architecture of the watch.