RAYMOND WEIL X LARGO WINCH
Forging a New Connection in the World of Arts and Culture – Through a Passion for the 9th Art.
Freedom. Independence. Loyalty. Diversity.
Fundamental values, all shared by independent Geneva-based watchmaker and a graphic novel hero Largo Winch. Philippe Francq, the exceptional illustrator behind Largo Winch, has accepted RAYMOND WEIL’s invitation to reinterpret the Chronograph Tri-Compax from the millesime collection. The celebrated Belgian graphic artist brings the adventurer to life in a new scenario. We open on Largo Winch, a bag slung over his shoulder and a RAYMOND WEIL watch on his wrist, about to meet a contact on the Mont-Blanc Bridge in Geneva. There’s more to the story… This new sport-chic watch is part of a trio of Chronograph Tri-Compax models set for a global launch in October 2024 at RAYMOND WEIL’s 2,500 points of sale and on the brand’s e-commerce platform.
The watch is limited to just 300 numbered pieces.
RAYMOND WEIL PRESENTS A MILLESIME WATCH IN A LARGO WINCH ‘LIMITED EDITION’
A rare blend of adventurous spirit and classic Swiss elegance.
Largo Winch. The modern-day adventurer and hero. Justice, loyalty, audacity. He fights against corruption. His strengths: independence, courage, truth. Each mission is a challenge. Each victory, a symbol. Diversity, open-mindedness: Largo bridges cultures, uniting human values. Power, perseverance, character: Beyond material wealth, he is a man of principle. His adventures are a breath of freedom, inspiration, and the promise of a better world. Philippe Francq’s work stands out by its detailed illustrations and captivating storytelling, enthralling millions of readers worldwide in a rich universe, filled with symbolism and emotion.
A New Connection, Unexpected and Inevitable
After music and contemporary art, RAYMOND WEIL opens its brand territory to the world of arts and culture. Here, the RAYMOND WEIL x Largo Winch watch transcends traditional watchmaking boundaries to immerse itself in the 9th Art, that of graphic novels. In fusing classic Swiss elegance with the adventurous spirit of modern times, this new millesime is a tribute to Largo Winch’s inspiring determination and courage. And every detail of this watch reflects RAYMOND WEIL’s commitment to creating exceptional timepieces while celebrating Philippe Francq’s artistry. Philippe Francq was particularly invested in the project, and the artisanal approach to the exclusive watch design was meticulous throughout the process of developing the idea and creating the model. From the first hand-drawn sketch on paper with his pencils
to the digital blueprints, each step was executed with great precision. Throughout, the codes of the Largo Winch universe were part of the creative collaboration, as in the color of dollar bills (Pantone 4214C) instantly spotted on the Chronograph Tri-Compax’s counters, and featured more discreetly on the watch’s tachymeter scale.
Traveler Between Worlds
On the case back, a drawing created by Philippe Francq exclusively for this limited series: Largo Winch on the Mont-Blanc Bridge, one of Geneva’s great landmarks; in the background, a hint at one of the ‘Belle Epoque’ paddle steamers of the more than century-old Lake Geneva company, the flags of Switzerland and the City of Geneva fluttering in the wind. A perfect metaphor for an adventure about to begin and the pure spirit of its hero. This watch does not immediately tell on page one: As in the story of Largo’s life, it takes time and determination to uncover its secrets.
“I’ve always been and continue to be an artisan in my creative process as an illustrator, the same way the artisans at RAYMOND WEIL assemblethe watches of this special series by hand in their workshops in Geneva. It takes me 18 months to create a graphic novel that takes an hour to read, RAYMOND WEIL takes about the same time to launch a timepiece, and it takes a second to tell time” explains Philippe Francq.
This watch epitomizes the craftsmanship behind the inception of a graphic novel in the same powerful way as the intricate work of engineers, horologists, and all the crafts involved in making a watch.
“Graphic novels have no sound or movement, but they capture time. The watch has sound, movement, and it beats the measure of time,” says Elie Bernheim, CEO of RAYMOND WEIL.
The mechanical movement of the RAYMOND WEIL x Largo Winch watch embodies the intense rhythm of Largo Winch’s adventures, where everything can change in a split-second. Bridging two worlds, this unprecedented collaboration offers a unique piece for watch enthusiasts and graphic novel lovers, blending RAYMOND WEIL’s horological expertise with Largo Winch’s thrilling universe.
RAYMOND WEIL’s Close Relationship with the Arts
Boldness and originality: the 3rd generation at the helm of the RAYMOND WEIL family firm ushers in a wind of contemporary creativity, faithful as ever to the cultural, artistic, and technical heritage of the brand founded in 1976. For nearly fifty years, RAYMOND WEIL has cultivated a close and genuine relationship with the arts.
Elie Bernheim, the CEO of the family-owned watchmaking Maison and representative of the 3rd generation, remembers that his grandfather and founder, Mr. Raymond Weil, was a great lover of opera, to the extent of naming watch collections after great classics. The family of music lovers – Elie Bernheim is himself a pianist and cellist – continued this tradition by nurturing musical partnerships with great legends of the 20th century such as the Beatles, Bob Marley, and the band AC/DC. In recent years, the brand has broadened its collaborations in the arts writ large, though with a clear throughline: bold creativity. In 2023, RAYMOND WEIL ventured into contemporary art with the Freelancer BASQUIAT special edition, which showcased the synergy between the Freelancer collection and Basquiat’s unique graphic universe – it was an immediate success.
Adventures in the 9th Art
This year, the Geneva brand enters the universe of the 9th Art through a partnership with Philippe Francq, the Belgian illustrator of Largo Winch – one of the best-selling graphic novel series in the world, it is a reference in the adventure and thriller genre, read from generation to generation; Largo’s stories have also been adapted to cinema. A bestseller particularly in Europe with nearly 15 million albums sold since its creation, the swashbuckling Largo Winch takes us on his adventures, a mix of action, suspense, and inner workings in and around the world of finance and business, while highlighting values of loyalty, independence, and justice.
“As a child, every album by Philippe Francq took me on an amazing journey to somewhere in the world, and it still does today with my family and children, who are also fans,” says Elie Bernheim, RAYMOND WEIL’s CEO.
A Shared Fascination
In the same way that Largo Winch captures the imagination, the millesime collection – including the Petite Seconde model that won the Challenge Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2023 – appeals to watch enthusiasts who appreciate refined aesthetics, craftsmanship, and precision, paralleling the meticulous detail and storytelling you find in Francq’s graphic novels. The classic, sporty elegance of the automatic millesime Chronograph Tri-Compax and its neo-vintage look, with a reference to the famous Panda dials, align perfectly with the lifestyle and allure of the everelegant gentleman-adventurer that is Largo Winch.
Chronograph Tri-Compax Times Three
The three Chronograph Tri-Compax models feature a finely crafted stainless steel case, each detail contributing to mechanical excellence. The midnight blue version (Ref 7765-STC-50651) has silver auxiliary counters accented with light blue Arabic numerals. A tachymeter scale, highlighted in white on the midnight blue dial, adds a sporty, dynamic touch. The high-quality blue calfskin leather strap complements the overall look. The second version (Ref 7765-STC20001) features a black dial with white indexes and Arabic numerals, offering a more defined and assertive aesthetic. Be it in the engineering of its movements, the case design and finish, the skills and techniques, or the aesthetics and functionalities, and naturally timekeeping precision, the independent Geneva brand RAYMOND WEIL has established its own high standard of excellence, as exemplified by the millesime Chronograph Tri-Compax Largo Winch, which will be limited to only 300 numbered pieces. This Largo Winch Limited Edition sport-chic watch is part of a trio of Chronograph Tri-Compax models that will be launched worldwide in October 2024 in the brand’s 2,500 points of sale as well as on the brand’s e-commerce platform.
7765-STC-50651 – Midnight Blue dial: CHF 3,450 / 2’995 GBP /USD 3’625 / EUR 3’725
7765-STC-20001 – Black dial: CHF 3,450 / 2’995 GBP /USD 3’625 / EUR 3’725
7765-STC-50651 – Largo Winch Limited Edition: CHF 3,595 / 3’195 GBP /USD 3’775 / EUR 3’895
DISCOVER THE NEW LIMITED EDITION HERE
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