Music and Raymond Weil have always gone hand in hand. When you flip through a catalogue of the independent Maison you will find the names of composers and famous artists. And now Raymond Weil launches the Freelancer Chronograph “Gibson Les Paul”. Are you ready to rock?
When I think of the Gibson Les Paul I automatically think of three guitar players: Slash from Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry and Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin.
And when I think of them I also hear them in my head and so as I write this I have Slash’s sleazy “Welcome To The Jungle” riff playing in my brain. Anyway, back to Raymond Weil. New in their musical collection is the Raymond Weil Freelancer Chronograph “Gibson Les Paul”. For three generations, the Weil family has been influenced by music to shape their Swiss watchmaking Maison. When it comes to music the Maison has an eclectic taste and it shows in watches that were dedicated to for instance, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Nicola Benedetti, the Verdi opera Nabucco, Tango and Toccata; a fast piece of music written for harpsichord, piano or plucked string instruments that can only be performed by a virtuoso.
“The best rock has to offer”
The new Freelancer pays its respect to a legendary musical instrument, the Les Paul Gibson guitar. “When I was a kid, my mother introduced me to the world of music, firstly piano and then string instruments. I discovered Rock ‘n’ Roll and the riffs of electric guitars during performances by Slash alongside Lenny Kravitz and with Guns N’ Roses. Today, Gibson leads us into the best rock has to offer and makes our watches hum to this legendary beat,” says Raymond Weil Elie Bernheim. The guitar, I mean watch, comes in a 43.5 mm steel case and its tachymeter bezel is enhanced with black PVD inspired by the lacquer on the “Black Beauty” – a Gibson Les Paul renowned for its electrifying sound. The board features circular guilloché motif featuring six chords studded by fret-shaped hour markers. At 12 o’clock, the names of the famous guitar manufacturer and the legendary Les Paul signature appear, while the split-diamond inlay – a distinctive feature of the Les Paul Custom shines in golden tones next to the date window.
Just like a Gibson Les Paul Custom
Just like a guitar a watch needs a strap. For the watch it’s an ebony coloured perforated calf leather strap that brings to mind the sound holes that are part of the guitar body. The Freelancer’s tri-compax chronograph counters, date and strap topstitching are set with golden highlights just like a Gibson Les Paul Custom. The accurate tempo is produced by a RW5010 mechanical self-winding movement ensuring an approximately 46-hour power reserve. The Freelancer Chronograph “Gibson Les Paul” is a limited edition of 300 pieces and comes in a box that resembles a guitar case. This watch will bring you “to your sha na na na na knees knees, knees”. Well said Axl.
