Raymond Weil’s New Limited-Edition Freelancer World-Traveler Actually Makes You Feel Like One

Today marks 50 years since the Raymond Weil brand was established in Geneva. Coincidentally, it’s also the late founder and namegiver’s 100th birthday. To celebrate these joyful events, Raymond Weil unveiled the new Freelancer World-Traveler limited edition. The new Freelancer introduces a bidirectional bezel for operating the city ring and a stamped, textured relief world map. All this comes in a 40mm stainless steel case with a very slim 10.25mm profile. Now that’s how you celebrate your founder’s birthday.

This new Raymond Weil Freelancer World-Traveler limited edition joins the Freelancer GMT collection. The two previous models in the collection house the same Sellita-based movement. However, they also have two crowns, one to operate the movement and one to spin the city ring. Instead, the new Freelancer World-Traveler comes with one crown and a bidirectional bezel. Let’s take a look.

The Raymond Weil Freelancer World-Traveler limited edition

The new Raymond Weil Freelancer World-Traveler features the same 40mm case as the previous GMT models. From the top, it looks like both the case and the slightly domed bezel are fully polished. Only from the side do you see a horizontally brushed case band and brushed bezel teeth. The beveled and tapered lugs span 47mm, and the case is 10.25mm thick. Both the front and back sapphire crystals are flat as a pancake.

The bezel action is substantial on the Freelancer World-Traveler. You have to really grab the bezel between two fingers and go through a satisfying series of clicks to get to the desired city. At first, I thought it was a bit too sturdy, but I guess you don’t want it moving around all the time, so I think this is the right compromise.

With the single screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, you can operate the Sellita-based RW3230 automatic movement. The previous Freelancer GMTs used the same movement. It runs at 28,800 vph, features 47 jewels, and has a power reserve of roughly 56 hours. It’s a so-called caller GMT movement, meaning it has an independently adjustable 24-hour GMT hand. You can look at the movement’s skeletonized rotor, Geneva stripes, and perlage finishing through the exhibition case back. That’s also where you’ll find the 50m water resistance rating, “Limited Edition,” and “One of 260” engraved. Our review example had a pre-production case back indicating 200 pieces, but we confirmed that the final total will be 260.

A relief-rendered world map

Of course, the new bezel sets the World-Traveler apart from its siblings. However, the dial has also drastically changed. The 24-hour day/night ring sits slightly closer to the edge, and the city ring is a bit slimmer. This gave the designers more room for the impressive centerpiece — the relief-rendered world map executed in a champagne color with a sophisticated dark blue-gray background. The world map is stamped and textured, so all the color differences come from the relief you see there.

Each applied hour marker features a lumed tip, and the hour and minute hands also contain Super-LumiNova. This makes it easier to read the time in darker situations. The dial also contains a date window at 6 o’clock with a white disc. Even within the context of the world map, the date is still easy to read.

The Freelancer on a world traveler’s wrist

On my 17cm wrist, the 40mm Freelancer World-Traveler worked well. The lugs are pointy but not too long, and thanks to the case’s thin profile, it’s not cumbersome at all to wear. It’s an impressively slim package, especially for a worldtimer or GMT watch. Though not unique in that regard (look at the Nomos Club Sport Worldtimer, for example), it’s still a rarity. I also really like this Freelancer’s new dial. The world map is almost a must-have feature for this kind of watch, and I really like the execution here. Sometimes a full world map can be over the top, and, to be honest, when I read the description, I expected the relief to be a bit much. However, in person, the champagne looks sophisticated, especially with the dark blue-gray background.

Funnily enough, from the top, the Raymond Weil World-Traveler almost looks like a fully polished watch, just like the Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer. Its brushed surfaces only become visible when viewed from the side. And that might be my only real annoyance with the watch. I just don’t get why the real estate on the bezel wasn’t used to display any of the information that’s now on the dial. Besides, it’s a major fingerprint magnet, especially when you often have to set it to another time zone. Those fingerprints can be really in your face. Then again, one wipe with your cuff and they’re gone.

Limited edition of 260 pieces

Aside from the all-polished bezel, I like the look of the new Raymond Weil Freelancer World-Traveler. All the displayed information is easy to read, but the watch doesn’t scream for attention because the colors and finishes used are modest and sophisticated. With its 40 × 47 × 10.25mm dimensions, it’ll fit wrists of many sizes, and the blue leather strap complements the overall aesthetic very well. Again, the looks and layout are certainly not unique, but I think the sophisticated execution is.

The new Raymond Weil Freelancer World-Traveler costs €4,395, and it’s a limited edition of 260 pieces. It comes on a dark blue leather strap with a stainless steel folding clasp. If you’d like to know more, check out the official Raymond Weil website.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the Raymond Weil Freelancer World-Traveler.