Raymond Weil Maestro

The Raymond Weil Maestro collection is made up exclusively of mechanical timepieces. Thanks to their technology and classic designs, these watches are a great choice for fans of traditional mechanical watchmaking. The collection ranges from simple automatic watches with three hands and a date display to skeletonized models and exclusive limited editions. Most of the special editions pay tribute to a famous musician or band such as Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, or the Beatles.

The Mr. Raymond Weil Maestro Automatic Chronograph is this collection's top model. Only 100 copies exist of this 45-mm timepiece in 18-karat rose gold. The Genevan manufacturer released the watch in honor of the company's founder in 2014. Sapphire crystal protects this rare chronograph from both the front and back, offering a view of the caliber RW1926 at work from below. This highly accurate movement comes with COSC chronometer certification.

One way to recognize this timepiece is the presence of Raymond Weil's signature just below 12 o'clock. There's also a small seconds at 3, an hour counter at 6, and a minute counter at 9 o'clock. A date display at 4:30 rounds off the dial. If you're interested in this gold watch, be prepared to spend around 11,000 USD on a mint-condition example.

Automatic three-hand watches with a date display make up the majority of the Raymond Weil Maestro collection. Options range from classic models with Roman numerals on a leather strap to those with narrow indices on a sporty and elegant stainless steel bracelet. Highlights include automatic models with yellow or rose gold PVD coating. You can also choose from numerous dial colors such as white, black, or beige. Each Maestro Automatic timepiece measures 40 mm in diameter, making it a great option for all wrist sizes. What's more, at under 10 mm thick, it's superbly comfortable on the wrist. With a depth-rating of 50 m (5 bar), you can keep this watch on during most daily activities.

The automatic Swiss caliber RW4200 ticks away inside the Maestro Automatic. This movement provides each timepiece with a 38-hour power reserve and a date display at 3 o'clock. Its central winding rotor is inscribed with the company name as well as "26 jewels," a reference to the number of rubies used in the movement. You can purchase a mint-condition three-hand watch for under 1,100 USD. This includes the gold-plated models. Depending on the condition, pre-owned pieces often cost several hundred dollars less.

Raymond Weil is known for their special editions in honor of different musicians and bands, a number of which can be found in the Maestro collection. Examples include three Beatles tribute models with the Beatles logo on their dials and dark sapphire crystal case backs. Each is limited to a run of 3,000 pieces. Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison's famous silhouettes bridge the gap between 3 and 5 o'clock on the Maestro "The Beatles 'Abbey Road'" and 'Fab Four' editions. On the other hand, the gold-plated 'Sgt. Pepper's' model features elements from the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover, including an inscription of the album title on the dial. Like the standard editions, the automatic caliber RW4200 powers these Beatles watches. Prices for these special timepieces begin around 1,200 USD.

The Maestro Buddy Holly is yet another special edition with a limited run of 3,000 pieces. As its name implies, this automatic watch is dedicated to rock-n-roll pioneer Buddy Holly. The manufacturer released this model in 2016 in honor of what would have been Holly's 80th birthday. It features a 40-mm stainless steel case, a five-piece link stainless steel bracelet, a small seconds at 6 o'clock, and a silver dial. The minute scale and subdial are both a pleasant light blue tone. Other details include a large "9" in reference to Holly's lucky number, Holly's signature below the brand name, and a date display at 3 o'clock. Finally, Holly's trademark glasses serve as the counterweight of the small seconds hand. Raymond Weil outfits this model with the automatic caliber RW4250, which has a 38-hour power reserve. The official list price for this watch sits at 1,390 euros (approx. 1,500 USD).

In 2015, Raymond Weil celebrated Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday with a limited edition timepiece. Weil only produced 1,212 copies of this 39.5-mm Maestro Automatic in stainless steel. Blue indices and leaf-shaped hands sit atop its silver dial. A Roman numeral at 12 o'clock is a nod to Sinatra's birthday, December 12, 1915. The word "Sinatra" and the Hoboken native's famous hat are printed on the sapphire crystal case back. Raymond Weil lists this watch at 1,320 euros (approx. 1,500 USD).

Raymond Weil also produces the Maestro with a moon phase display. Like its counterparts with three hands, there are plenty of options available: This includes stainless steel watches, models with gold PVD coating, and both leather and stainless steel bands. In terms of dial color, you can choose from silver, blue, or gray. More recent models feature Roman numerals, a date display at 3 o'clock, a moon phase display on the lower half of the dial, and an engraved wave pattern in the middle. The caliber RW4280 powers these timepieces.

If you're interested calling one of these moon phase watches your own, be prepared to spend around 1,300 USD. Pre-owned pieces often cost a few hundred dollars less. Older versions have their moon phase display at 10 o'clock and a pointer date at 6 o'clock. These models demand around 610 USD today.

The Raymond Weil Maestro collection also offers a few attractive options for fans of skeleton watches. Versions with a skeletonized dial and movement are particularly striking. These 40-mm stainless steel watches are available on a leather strap or a five-piece link stainless steel bracelet. A sapphire crystal case back offers a view of the movement from below. Plan to spend about 1,700 USD on a never-worn Raymond Weil skeleton watch. You can save some money by purchasing a pre-owned model.

If a skeletonized dial and movement are a bit too much, there are also more modest versions with only a small opening above the balance wheel. These 40-mm watches feature a blue or silver dial with Roman numerals. The final watch is paired with a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. Prices for mint-condition pieces begin around 940 USD.