Early Days
Raymond Weil Genève, founded by Raymond Weil in 1976, at the age of 50, is now a World leader in the luxury watch market, well known for excellence in traditional Swiss watchmaking and the creation of exquisite luxury timepieces.
Raymond Weil took an enormous risk entering the market of watchmaking during a time when many watchmakers were going out of business. Having dominated the watchmaking industry for two centuries, by the 1970s, hundreds of Swiss watchmakers were losing a significant amount of business due to developments in technology and innovation that saw the birth of the quartz watch.
Quartz watches proved to be more accurate timekeepers than their Swiss-made mechanical counterparts, and they could be mass-produced in Asia at a fraction of the cost. In fact, by the early 1980s as the popularity of quartz watches grew and mechanical timepieces were replaced with digital ones, the Swiss reportedly lost half of their watch companies, two-thirds of their watchmaking jobs and their unrivalled authority as the world’s most reliable timekeepers, in what industry analysts called the “quartz crisis.”
However, undeterred by the changing market, and driven by his passion for watchmaking, Raymond Weil set about selling his designs from a foldout table on a market stall in Geneva. Here the now famous Raymond Weil Genève brand was born, selling both traditional spring-powered and cog and gear mechanical Swiss watches, as well as modern quartz-powered watches.
Inspiration
Renowned not only for his passion as a watchmaker, but also for his love of music, Weil collaborated widely with musicians and professionals in the field of music both in the design and promotion of his watches. A pioneer in celebrity endorsement advertising, the brand has boasted collaborations with famous classical and rock musicians including Andrea Boccelli, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga and Ozzy Osbourne.
With collections and limited editions named after such icons as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and The Beatles, the brand exudes an enduring musical influence.
Growth and Innovation
Raymond Weil led the company for over 20 years, until his retirement in 2002. The company, still family-run, by Mr Weil’s son-in-law, Oliver Bernheim and his two grandsons Elie and Pierre Bernheim, has become one of the best-known Swiss luxury watchmaking businesses in the World. With over 40 years of watchmaking tradition and innovation, the company continue to produce an impressive collection of timepieces that are unparalleled in luxury and design.
Raymond Weil watches have come a long way from the market stall in Geneva and is now a multimillion-pound company reported to sell hundreds of thousands of watches every year, with an average price of £1,000 each.
Raymond Weil watches at Allum & Sidaway
Allum & Sidaway are delighted to showcase a collection of exquisite Raymond Weil timepieces. With adjustable stylish straps and bracelets in leather or stainless steel, and with the Swiss design and accuracy you expect from a Raymond Weil Genève watch.
Noemia
The Noemia ladies quartz watch with a stainless-steel bracelet features a beautiful mother of pearl dial set with 10 stones and black roman numerals. It is water-resistant to 5 BAR.
Tradition
The Tradition quartz ladies watch has a black leather strap, a clean white face with black Roman numerals and blue hands. It is water-resistant to 5 BAR and features a date window on the elegant face.
Toccata
The Toccata is a dazzling quartz ladies watch, featuring a circular silver coloured face set with 11 diamonds and a date window. It is constructed from stainless steel and is water-resistant to 5 BAR.
Tango
The men's quartz Tango watch features a black face with Roman numerals, chronograph, date window and 3 sub-dials. It is made from stainless steel and is water-resistant to 10 BAR.
Parsifal
Stainless steel with a grey face featuring Roman numerals and a date window, the stylish Parsifal automatic men's watch is water-resistant to 10 BAR.
Freelancer
The attractive men's Freelancer watch is automatic, with a black face featuring a skeleton design, stainless steel construction and is water-resistant to 10 BAR.
Nabucco Gibson limited edition watch
Inspired by the legendary Gibson guitars, there are only 200 numbered pieces of this limited edition Nabucco watch. First unveiled at Baselworld 2015, it features a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement contained within a 46mm steel and titanium case. The stylish black galvanic dial features six circular grooves, representing the six strings of a guitar. It is covered by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and has a clear sapphire crystal case back. The Gibson logo is featured prominently on the watch face and engraved on the back of the case. Finished off with a black alligator leather strap this iconic timepiece is perfectly positioned to become a collector’s item.
Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Brands said, “Raymond Weil and Gibson Brands are the perfect combination of excellence and craftsmanship. We are delighted to be aligned with the Nabucco line, exceptional timepieces inspired by the highest quality guitars.”
As an approved Raymond Weil Genève stockist, you can trust Allum & Sidaway to guide you effortlessly through the process of purchasing your timepiece. We are experienced watch vendors, deeply invested in our customer experience, and we go above and beyond to provide a seamless luxury retail experience.
Our dedicated and experienced sales team would be delighted to show you our range of Raymond Weil Genève watches, or you can peruse our collection on our website.
We also offer a range of additional services including interest-free financing, watch servicing and repair, cleaning and valuations.
We look forward to welcoming you to one of our stores.