We’re over three-quarters of the way through 2024 at the moment, and much to my dismay, I haven’t seen much evidence of this year being the year of square watches, as we might have hoped.
Predictably, as soon as I thought I wasn’t going to see any interesting square-dial pieces this year, along comes the new Raymond Weil Freelancer model 2790 with a cushion case, an in-house calibre and an intriguing dial for £2395. That’s not a bad price all things considered, and is competing with some of Rado’s recent True Square models, and even some of our favourite recent choices from Farer with a similar case style.
The Case
On first inspection, there’s a certain similarity in looks between the new Freelancer and my own Rado R5.5 Jubile Chronograph. Both, of course, have square cases and while the Rado is comprised of high-tech ceramic, Raymond Weil has instead gone with the tried-and-tested stainless steel with this new Freelancer for solid build quality and decent resistance to any dings and knocks.
The 40mm x 40mm hits the sweet spots for most wrists too, and this is a handsome-looking watch on the wrist with polished finishing adding an extra bit of pizzazz where warranted. Its five-linked brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet integrates well into the cushion case, also helping the Freelancer to somehow stay both on-trend with modern integrated bracelet pieces and offer a certain retro sensibility to it.
A lot of the Freelancer’s retro credibility comes from its use of the rounded square, cushion-style case, which harks back as far as the 1930s. It’s a case style that’s having a bit of a resurgence recently with brands big and small and looks fantastic on this new model.
It’s an elegant-looking piece overall, although slightly marred by the larger, fluted crown which is perhaps disproportionately sized to the rest of the Freelancer’s case. Other than that, I’ve got little cause for complaint here.
The Dial
The same also goes for the Freelancer’s gradient blue dial, which is oddly round against the square cushion case. It comes with a pleasant darker finish that offsets against the stainless steel of the case well, with a pattern of concentric circles drawing you in.
The inside of the dial has a pleasant texturing to it, which is reasonably eye-catching, while the darker outer section contrasts this nicely with a pleasant and tastefully-done gradient. It may not be as zany of a dial as the likes of the Christopher Ward The Twelve Ti or Straum Jan Mayen with a similar blue colourway, although the Freelancer has a classier, grown-up feel.
Dial furniture is kept to a minimum too, with little in the way of unneeded text at the six o’clock position. You simply get the Raymond Weil logo at twelve o’clock and some thinner baton hands for a minimalistic finish, which looks excellent.
The only real flair otherwise present on the Freelancer’s dial is the presence of an open balance wheel at six o’clock, which is a pleasant touch. It contrasts the minimalist finish elsewhere on the dial nicely, drawing you in with a constantly moving wheel that takes pride of place, while its big, screwed-in bridge constantly reminds you of its existence. It’s a small, but intriguing addition here that sets the Freelancer apart well.
The movement
Raymond Weil says the movement inside the Freelancer is an in-house RW1212 calibre, which is a mechanical self-winding movement with 41 hours of power reserve. This appears to have been upgraded against previous pieces with the same movement inside that was made in partnership with Sellita with a 38-hour power reserve.
It seems like a reliable and functional choice that has been specifically designed with the skeletonised balance wheel in mind, and while that may put engineering costs up a smidgen, it’s worthwhile due to how cool it looks.
On the Freelancer’s exhibition caseback, there isn’t much in the way of rotor decoration, though. You get an interesting W-pattern in the cutouts acting as a nod to Raymond Weil themselves, although apart from this the rotor isn’t elaborately decorated.
The Bracelet
As for its bracelet, this is a five-link option which is integrated into the Freelancer’s case. It’s reminiscent infamous Jubilee bracelet found on some of Rolex’s dressier models. With this in mind, the decision to add a five-link bracelet gives this new Freelancer a more formal quality and is a watch that can be dressed up quite easily.
I should also say that this bracelet has a folding clasp and a double-push security system to ensure the Freelancer stays firmly on your wrist. If this bracelet isn’t your jam though, then this watch is also available with a black leather strap if you go for the blue dial variant. Or, if you go for the darker green dial, the leather strap option matches in colour. Neither of them are quick-release, though.
Conclusion
The Raymond Weil Freelancer has been a model lineup that has been a part of the Swiss brand’s lineup for nearly 20 years, and this new 2790 reference adds a welcome cushioned case option with a reliable movement inside, classy looks and an interesting, gradient-finish dial. It may not be the most exciting watch in its price range, but if you’re after a more left-field option for dressier occasions with the fun of a square dial, this may well be for you.
Raymond Weil Freelancer Tech Specs
- Indications: Hours, minutes, seconds
- Case: Stainless steel
- Diameter: 40 mm x 40mm
- Thickness: 10.5 mm
- Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective coating
- Crown: Fluted with RW monogram
- Caseback: Exhibition, sapphire
- Water resistance: 100 ATM, approx. 100 meters or 330 feet
- Dial: Choice of blue or green gradient dial
- Movement: Swiss, self-winding mechanical. RW1212 calibre
- Power reserve: approx. 41 hours
- Bracelet & Strap: Stainless steel five-link option, or leather strap
