Originally launched at the height of the “quartz crisis” in 1976, Raymond Weil has shown an unflinching resolve in the face of the ever-changing watch industry, and 2026 serves as reinforcement of this family-run watchmaker’s passion. Earlier this year at our Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio London, we hosted CEO Elie Bernheim on the UK leg of their 50th Anniversary jubilee tour, so it was a welcome reunion to join them once again in the historic grand heritage halls of The Lands to celebrate once again.
Warm early spring sunlight lit the room and spotlit a collection of watches, including the new A.R.T collection, the brand’s first integrated addition to a refined collection. I was delighted to get the Millesime Chronograph on my wrist, dubbed “The Fifty”, in reference to the number of pieces made for the limited edition.
While browsing the room of releases I knew, I discovered a yet-to-be-released extension to the Freelancer Complete Calendar: a new grey-dial variant of what seems to be a perpetually sold-out model. As one of the first few people in the country to try this on, I can say for certain this is one waitlist I’d be happy to queue for.
The centrepiece of the hall was the timeline display of 25 of Raymond Weil’s historic releases. A curatorial exhibit of well-preserved archive pieces that were so jarringly untouched, it appeared as if each stage of the display could transport you backwards in watch culture. Still, it was clear this podium of history reminded everyone in the room that Raymond Weil focuses on the future and creating watches that connect with collectors today.
As the room sat down for a heavenly lunch, we had more than steak and wine to chew over. After Marc Rom, Managing Director for Raymond Weil in Australia, introduced the day, CEO Elie Bernheim jumped on the mic to graciously and genuinely thank everyone in the room for supporting his family’s craft. We at Time+Tide know this style of conversation well. Through countless interviews, we have learned how valuable public forums like these can be in revealing not only what creators make, but why they make it.
Elie’s responses offered exactly that kind of insight. Speaking candidly about his father’s and grandfather’s experiences, he reflected on the role human connection has always played in Raymond Weil’s approach to watchmaking. What came through most clearly was a genuine care for the people who own the brand’s watches, as well as those only beginning to discover them. The conversation closed with Paxton turning the spotlight back on Elie and asking what was on his own wrist that afternoon.
The answer was something very special. Unlike anything currently found in Raymond Weil’s collection, the watch offered a tantalising glimpse at what is still to come. We have been sworn to secrecy until its official unveiling, so keep an eye on Time+Tide for more when the time comes.
There is something infectious about witnessing genuine devotion to a craft. On this sunny afternoon in Sydney, Raymond Weil’s enthusiasm for connecting with people through watchmaking seemed to spread throughout the room. And in 2026, when so much of the industry continues to move further upmarket, there remains something compelling about a family-owned watchmaker focused on creating watches with broad appeal at prices within reach of a far wider audience. If that cannot capture collectors’ attention, what can?