Watches and Clocks – Raymond Weil 50th Anniversary Event
Berk OztoprakAuthor
At the Raymond Weil 50th anniversary event hosted by Saat & Saat , we had the opportunity to closely examine the Swiss watch brand's design philosophy from the past to the present, its current models, and its vision for the future. Elie Bernheim, CEO and third-generation representative of the brand, also attended the event, which was the Istanbul leg of Raymond Weil's global Legacy Tour.
Throughout the event, models that have shaped Raymond Weil's 50-year history were exhibited, and the brand's relationship with music, art, and independent watchmaking was also discussed. One of the highlights of the event was Elie Bernheim's presentation on Raymond Weil's past, its current position, and its goals for the new era.
Raymond Weil's 50-year history
Raymond Weil was founded in Geneva in 1976, at a time when the Swiss watch industry was struggling with the effects of the quartz crisis. The fact that founder Raymond Weil, at the age of 50, launched his own brand despite the uncertainties in the sector, formed the basis of the company's independent character. Today, Raymond Weil remains one of the few independent Swiss watch brands still operating under family management.
What distinguishes the brand's identity from many Swiss manufacturers in a similar price segment is its long-standing relationship with music and the performing arts. Collection names such as Amadeus, Parsifal, Tango, Toccata, Maestro, and Freelancer demonstrate that Raymond Weil views art not merely as a temporary communication effort, but as a permanent part of its brand identity.
Who is Raymond Weil CEO Elie Bernheim?
Raymond Weil's current CEO, Elie Bernheim , is the grandson of the brand's founder, Raymond Weil, and a third-generation representative of the family business. After graduating from the Lausanne Hotel School, Bernheim joined the company in 2006 and took over as CEO from his father, Olivier Bernheim, in 2014.
During Elie Bernheim's tenure, Raymond Weil began to undergo a more significant transformation in terms of design and collections, while maintaining its identity as a classic and accessible Swiss watch. Recent collections, particularly Millésime, Toccata Heritage, and ART, demonstrate an attempt to strike a new balance between dress watch designs drawing from the brand's archives and contemporary sport-chic models.
The model that caught my eye at the event: Millésime Small Seconds Tuxedo
When browsing Raymond Weil's collections, the watch that caught my attention the most was the Millésime Small Seconds with its burgundy and light grey Tuxedo dial . The contrast between the burgundy tone, which is also Bersenti's brand color, and the light grey surfaces makes the watch's classic design more distinctive.
This model features a 39mm steel case with a small seconds hand positioned at the 6 o'clock position. The two-tone sector dial, inspired by Art Deco aesthetics, and the domed sapphire crystal enhance the watch's vintage look. The subtle yet striking tuxedo dial makes it a balanced dress watch suitable for both classic and more casual outfits.
The Millésime collection holds a special place for Raymond Weil. The Small Seconds model from this collection won the Challenge Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in 2023, a prestigious award in the watchmaking world . This award was one of the key developments that brought Raymond Weil back into the spotlight among collectors and watch enthusiasts in recent years.
Toccata Heritage: Raymond Weil's dress watch review
Raymond Weil is a brand generally known for its simple, understated, and timeless designs. The Toccata Heritage collection, introduced in 2025, is one of the most current examples of this approach.
With its oval case shape, the Toccata Heritage reinterprets the brand's past designs with contemporary dimensions and details. Available in mechanical and quartz options, the collection embodies the character of a true dress watch with its clean dial layout, slim profile, and classic proportions. The name Toccata comes from the Italian word " toccare, " meaning "to touch," and refers to a type of composition in classical music that emphasizes technical mastery.
The Toccata Heritage's strongest feature is its oval case silhouette, recognizable even from a distance. Without the need for complex dial details or striking complications, the collection establishes its own identity through its proportions and case form.
Raymond Weil ART Collection and its integrated bracelet approach.
Aside from dress watch models, another series that attracted attention at the event was the Raymond Weil ART Collection, introduced in June 2026. ART represents a significant innovation for the brand, as it is the first watch collection in Raymond Weil's history to feature an integrated bracelet.
The collection includes 38mm automatic and 30mm quartz options. The seamless lines from case to bracelet, H-shaped links, polished bevels, and various surface treatments give the watch a modern sport-chic look. Considering the recent resurgence in popularity of watches with integrated bracelets , ART can be seen as Raymond Weil's direct response to current design trends.
Overall, the ART Collection looks balanced and successful on the wrist. However, a more pronounced texture, pattern, or a unique detail on the dial, reminiscent of Raymond Weil's connection to music, could have distinguished the collection more clearly from its competitors. As alternatives in the integrated bracelet watch segment increase, not only the case and bracelet design but also the visual identity of the dial plays a significant role in making collections talked about.
Raymond Weil's future inclusion of different dial textures, bolder colors, or art collaborations within the ART Collection could enhance the series' potential.
Raymond Weil's new direction
The Raymond Weil event organized by Saat & Saat was more than just a gathering celebrating the brand's past. The vintage watchmaking approach, strengthened by Millésime, the understated dress watch line of Toccata Heritage, and the contemporary integrated bracelet design of the ART Collection, also offered important clues about Raymond Weil's future strategy.
In my opinion, the brand's greatest strength lies in its ability to reinterpret its past in different collections, rather than simply repeating it. Raymond Weil's next step should be to support this simple and balanced design approach with more unique dials, powerful stories, and brand-specific details.
I'd like to thank Saat ve Saat for the event and Watchmania for the invitation.
This is not sponsored content. It was written by invitation.
This is not sponsored content. It is news content.
Keep reading
Related readings to this article
