Founded in Geneva in 1976, Raymond Weil marks its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a creation in the Millesime collection centred on traditional mechanical watchmaking.
Named The Fifty, this limited edition of 50 pieces reflects both the founding year of the brand and its continued commitment to accessible Swiss horology.
Rather than pursuing technical complexity for its own sake, the watch focuses on the essential elements of craftsmanship, construction and finishing.
At its core is a restored Valjoux 23-6 calibre dating back to 1976.
This hand-wound column-wheel chronograph, historically appreciated for its rational architecture and reliability, operates at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) and delivers a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.
Its traditional bi-compax layout displays small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, with chronograph seconds centrally mounted.
Each movement has undergone a complete restoration and is finished by hand. The chronograph bridges and balance cock are decorated with Côtes de Genève and treated with black ruthenium, creating a contrast with blued screws.
The Fifty is housed in a 37 mm case measuring 10.75 mm in thickness, crafted from stainless steel and topped with an 18-carat white gold bezel.
Its proportions remain faithful to those of classic manually wound chronographs, while the construction is complemented by a sapphire “glassbox” crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side.
The sapphire caseback also features anti-reflective coating and reveals the movement, alongside engraved references to the years 1976 and 2026.
The dial is conceived as a multi-layered structure composed of four distinct elements, each finished separately before assembly.
A rehaut carrying the tachymeter scale frames the composition, while the hour track features a fine grained texture.
The central section is decorated with a stamped motif of alternating gadroons, playing with light and reinforcing the watch’s neo-vintage character.
The applied indexes and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova to ensure legibility, while the sub-dials adopt contrasting finishes to improve readability.
The watch is completed by an anthracite calfskin strap with a blue lining embossed with the name of the model, secured by a pin buckle. Water resistance is rated at 5 ATM (50 metres / 165 feet), suitable for everyday use.
Produced in a limited series of 50 pieces to mark the brand’s anniversary, the Raymond Weil Millesime ‘The Fifty’, ref. 1976-SGC-65001, is offered at a price of CHF 8,650 / €9,990 / US$9,990. raymond-weil.com
