Hands-On With The 35mm Raymond Weil Millesime Models In Stainless Steel And Rose Tone

Over the past year, we’ve grown quite fond of Raymond Weil’s Millesime collection. Lex first went hands-on with the GPHG-winning 39.5mm version. Then, Thomas took a few other variations for a spin. Those experiences led them to conclude that the Millesime collection is very modern and refined. Today, I’m looking at a few of the brand’s new 35mm additions to the collection. Those include new dial colors, a “new” moonphase complication, and a version treated with rose gold PVD. Let’s check out these new versions of the 35mm Raymond Weil Millesime.

Because of its sector dial, Thomas compared the Millesime to some watches from brands like Longines and Jaeger-LeCoultre. However, he found that while the dials were similar, the Millesime’s was distinct because of its contemporary design approach. When I look at the Millesime, especially in the 35mm size, it reminds me a lot of my 34.5mm Breguet ref. 5907. That’s mainly because of the similarities in the shape of the case and lugs, but it’s also due to the different finishes on the dial. However, when looking closely, you can see that Raymond Weil came up with its very own version of a modern dress watch.

The 35mm Raymond Weil Millesime

Some elements of the Millesime indeed look like they came straight from my Breguet. For example, when you look at the drilled lugs from the side, you’d swear you were looking at the 5907. However, from the top, the Millesime’s lugs aren’t as straight. They have a slight taper to them, and they’re brushed on the sides and polished on top. The mid-case is also horizontally brushed, while the Breguet, of course, has its coin-edge engraving. I like how the RW designers clearly took inspiration from somewhere else but then made the Millesime different in subtle but effective ways.

The same is true of the sector dial. The different finishes next to each other remind me of the 5907’s silver guilloché dial. However, as Thomas already mentioned, there’s a modern twist to it. Besides, the brushing and engraving aren’t done by hand. Still, visually, it’s a very nicely put-together design, and the various finishes play with the light well. The sharp, brushed hands complete the modern look and are filled with a nice amount of lume.

I also love how the vertical brushing on the center of the dial matches the brushing on the top of the bezel. The polished bevel surrounding the latter accentuates this and gives the case a strong character.

Grab your gloves

Even though all four of these watches share the same 35mm case shape, they each have unique design features. First, there’s the “basic” stainless steel version with the silvery white dial. Thomas also already took a look at this watch. This model forms the basis for all others. Now it’s time to put your jeweler’s gloves on because these watches are about to get fancier.

There’s another stainless steel model, but this one features lab-grown diamonds on top of the lugs. In addition, it has a blue-gray sector dial. The finishes on this dial aren’t quite the same, but the difference in textures between the various sectors is still there. I like this blue-gray dial very much. If it hadn’t had the diamonds on the lugs, I would have taken this model home immediately. This version is also available with a moonphase complication.

Rose gold PVD and a moonphase complication

When I opened the box of these four press samples, my attention immediately went to the rose-gold-PVD-coated version with the deep red dial. It reminded me of my bronze Oris × Fratello Big Crown Pointer Date. The rose gold and the velour red of the dial complement each other perfectly. It’s nice that the brushed hands feature rose gold PVD as well. It’s also the first time I’ve seen the Millesime on a bracelet in person, and I have to say, it’s a winner. The brushed and polished five-row bracelet matches the case nicely. However, if your wrist is around 17cm like mine, then you might want to order a few extra links because it was a bit tight.

Finally, we get to the other rose-gold-PVD-coated version, which features a moonphase display at 6 o’clock. We already saw this complication in the 39.5mm Millesime. However, in this smaller 35mm version, it’s accompanied by a more classically styled dial. The simple hour markers have made way for more elegant numerals, which suit the watch very well, especially with the rose-tone case. I agree with Thomas that the face on the moon adds some playfulness to the more serious-looking watch, which is a fun detail.

Sellita on the inside

Each of the 35mm Raymond Weil Millesime watches is powered by a Sellita movement from the SW200 series. For the time-only models, it’s dubbed the RW4200, and for the moonphase versions, it’s called the RW4280. They run at a frequency of 28,800vph and have a power reserve of 41 hours. Through the case back’s sapphire window, you can see each caliber’s basic finishing and the skeletonized rotor. While these are nothing extraordinary, they suit the price point of these watches. On the case back’s metal frame, you’ll also find the watch’s water resistance, which is rated to a comfortable 50 meters.

Final thoughts

In its press materials, Raymond Weil markets the 35mm Millesime toward its female clientele. Just one of the press photos shows the watch on a male wrist. However, I feel that the 35mm Raymond Weil Millesime suits my 17cm wrist perfectly. Yes, it’s small, but with its strong-looking case, it has quite a bit of wrist presence. The 39.5mm version is nicely done as well, but it doesn’t fit my wrist as well as this smaller 35mm version. Let’s see if we can convince the brand to release the blue-dial version without the diamonds. That would be an absolute winner, don’t you think?

The 35mm Raymond Weil Millesime starts at €1,695 for the stainless steel time-only model. Prices increase to €2,650 for the stainless steel version with lab-grown diamonds and a moonphase complication (not pictured here). The ones that don’t come on a bracelet have a blue or gray calf leather strap with a traditional pin buckle. For more information on the 35mm Raymond Weil Millesime, visit the brand’s official website.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the 35mm Millesime by Raymond Weil.