Most watchmakers have at least one solid dive watch in their collection, and nowhere is that more apparent than with the entry-level and mid-range luxury brands. It makes sense that companies in this space have a line of watches that are built to be tough and are at home in challenging environments, but we’d be the first to argue that a well-designed dive watch can be so much more.
No doubt you’re familiar with desk divers – the elegant sports watches that wear as well in the office as they do on the beach. Each of the popular Swiss brands has its own interpretation of the desk diver, and Raymond Weil – which sits alongside Tissot, Rado and Oris – has the Freelancer, a modern dive watch that was created with versatility in mind.
By its very nature, the Freelancer is a restrained piece and at its core is a handsome watch that leans more towards luxury watchmaking than the utilitarianism of a tool watch. The latest iteration of the Freelancer—there are three models—is faithful to that ethos, despite the brand’s new partnership with Titouan Galea, three-time Wing Foil world champion.
The Raymond Weil Freelancer sits perfectly between the two camps of style and functionality. There’s no doubting its credentials as a dive watch. It has a robust 42mm stainless steel case with a screw-down crown and 300M of water resistance. There’s also a sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating and hands and markers with white Super-Luminova.
We’re confident it would be an ideal timepiece for Wing Foil, a kick-ass watersport that seems to combine elements of windsurfing, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding all while hanging onto an inflatable wing.
But it’s not the specs of the new Freelancer models that caught our eye. It’s the rich gradient dials in blue and black and the use of gold as a secondary colour. The overall effect, especially when paired with the five-row and two-tone stainless steel bracelet, is one of sophistication.
The hands and markers are straightforward and the dial text is neat rather than ornate. But the date window offers an unexpected treat and is shaped like a waterdrop with the date displayed in a custom typeface. This Swiss-made beauty is powered by the Calibre RW4200 automatic movement and there are three models – Black & Gold, Blue & Gold and Black. The Black variant comes with a choice of a stainless steel bracelet or a black rubber strap.
Raymond Weil Freelancer Diver
Reference: 2775-ST1-20051, 2775-SP3-50051 & 2775-S51-20051
Diameter: 42.5mm
Height: 11.7mm
Case: Stainless Steel
Movement: Calibre RW4200
Strap: Stainless Steel Bracelet
Water Resistance: 300M
Price: From AUD$4,400 – $4,700
