Raymond-Weil Maestro Automatic Chronograph

Vintage seems to be all the rage in the watch world this year and Raymond Weil Watches has jumped on the bandwagon with their Maestro Automatic Chronograph. The dial has large black Roman numerals and is done in a guilloche styling. The Breguet-styled gold hour and minute hands give it a classic luxury look with the seconds hand done is an elegant slim styling.

A small square date window is displayed at the 3 o’clock position. The three chronograph counters are well-balanced and include a 12 hour chronograph counter at 6 o’clock, subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock and the 30 minute chronograph totalizer can be found at the 12 o’clock position all done in rose gold. There is no day of week display on this model. Operation of the chronograph features is done with chrono pushers located at and 2 and 4 o’clock to perform start, stop and restart functions. Return to zero is accomplished by using the chrono pusher at 4 o’clock. The winding crown is fluted and done in an over-sized style for ease of location and operation.

Mostly, this is a standard chronograph until you get to the design of the case which is where this timepiece gets interesting. The bezel is done in a concentric circle of rings that flow one into the other. It is made from stainless steel with an 18 carat rose gold PVD finish. Rose gold is really the star of metals this year by all the brands and Raymond Weil is following suit.

The timepiece is driven by automatic RW 500 base ETA Valjoux 7750 with 25 jewels beating at a rhythm of 28,800 vph. All this is made in Switzerland with a supplied power reserve of 46 hours. The round case measures 41.50mm and is 12.80mm in height. It is water-resistant to100 meters or 10 ATM and has a sapphire crystal with dual-sided anti-glare treatment protecting the face and a sapphire crystal allowing a look into the movement through the exhibition case back. It is nicely finished off with an alligator leather strap with saddle stitching and an Ardillon buckle.

Elegant and classical, the Maestro plays its part in this latest release from Raymond Weil Watches who seems to be targeting those who enjoy a functional and elegant timepiece with this design. The Maestro Chrono is the ideal timepiece for the discriminating modern man and is sure to please in both its complexity and simplicity.