Baselworld 2011: Raymond Weil Maestro timepieces unveiled
At Baselworld 2011, Raymond Weil added chronograph and moon phase complications to their year-old Masetro collection. The traditionally styled Maestro collection is a good contrast th Raymond Weil's sportier Nabucco and Freelancer collections.
The Maestro Phase de Lune comes in a 39.5 mm diameter by 10.45 mm thick, polished stainless steel case. The Maestro Chronograph comes is a slightly larger 41.5 mm diameter by 12.8 mm thick, stainless steel with rose gold 5N PVD finish case. They are powered by the RW4500 (moon phase) and RW5000 (chronograph) self-winding mechanical movements. The moon phase version has 26 jewels, 38 hours of power reserve and a balance cadence of 28,800 vph (4Hz). The chronograph has 25 jewels, 46 hours of power reserve and a balance cadence of 28,800 vph (4Hz).
The moon phase and chronograph, like the rest of the Maestro collection, feature classy dials with Roman numeral hour markers, "Clous de Paris" patterns in the center of the dial, and Breguet style hands. The chronograph features rose gold hands, the moon phase has steel hands.
Both watches have a sapphire crystal with dual-sided anti-reflective treatment, and sapphire crystal casebacks. The straps are alligator leather with ardillon buckles. Water-resistance is 50 meters (moon phase) and 100 meters (chronograph).
Raymond Weil makes high quality affordable Swiss timepieces, and although I like the Nabucco and Freelancer collections, although my personal choice would definitely be one of the new Maestro timepieces.
Retail $1,395 (3-hand) $2,950 (chronograph/moonphase) $10,000 (18k gold version)
Source: Raymond Weil
