Swiss watch brand RAYMOND WEIL presents a limited edition Freelancer Chronograph as a tribute to the fabled Les Paul Gibson guitar.
RAYMOND WEIL celebrates the most legendary of all electric guitar manufacturers – GIBSON – and the pioneer of modern music – Lester William Polsfuss, known as Les Paul – by honoring the guitar that has inspired and served the best artists of all time. From Jimmy Page to Keith Richards and Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton, brilliant musicians have turned to this instrument to make Rock ‘n’ Roll history.
The body of the 43.5 mm case is made of steel and its tachymeter bezel is enhanced with black PVD inspired by the lacquer on the “Black Beauty” – a guitar renowned for its electrifying performance that continues to astound musicians all over the world.
The board features circular guilloché motif featuring six chords studded by fret-shaped hour markers. At 12 o’clock, the names of the famous guitar manufacturer and the legendary Les Paul signature appear, while the split-diamond inlay – a distinctive feature of the Les Paul Custom shines in golden tones next to the date window. Its ebony perforated calf leather strap brings to mind the sound holes that are part of the body of a guitar.
Asserting its character and confirming its prestigious soul, the “fittings” – tri-compax chronograph counters, date and strap topstitching – of the freelancer inspired by the “Gibson Les Paul” are set with golden highlights.
The watch houses an RW5010 mechanical self-winding movement ensuring an approximately 46-hour power reserve.
RAYMOND WEIL is introducing this collector’s model in a 300-piece limited numbered edition, encased in an exclusive presentation box inspired by the famous Gibson guitar cases. With this watch the Swiss Brand strengthens its collaboration with Gibson Brands that began in 2015.
Technical details
Model: RAYMOND WEIL Freelancer Chronograph Gibson Les Paul Guitar Edition 7740 STC LPAUL
Movement
Chronograph – RW5010
Winding: Automatic
Power-Reserve: 46 hours
Jewels: 27
Functions
Watch Central hours and minutes, small seconds hand at 9 o’clock
Date windows between 4 and 5 o’clock
Date adjustment using push-button at 10 o’clock
Chronograph Start, stop and restart using push-button at 2 o’clock
Reset using push-button at 4 o’clock
Central chronograph hand
30 minutes counter at 3 o’clock
12 hours counter at 6 o’clock
Case
Round – Polished stainless steel
Diameter: 43.5mm
Thickness: 13.7mm
Bezel Polished stainless steel, with black PVD coating and tachometer ring
Crown Polished steel – screwed-down and fluted with RW monogram
Crystal Sapphire crystal with dual-sided antiglare treatment
Case back Screwed-down, with sapphire crystal with Gibson® logo
Water resistance 10 ATM
Dial
Black, with Gibson® and Les Paul logos and luminescent indexes – encircled by 6 grooves evoking the strings of the guitar
Hands
Hours / Minutes Steel type barrel shape, enhanced with luminescent material,
Second Steel type baton shape
Bracelet
Brown open work genuine calf leather strap, RW folding clasp with double push-security system
About Gibson Brands
Gibson Brands, the fastest-growing company in the music and sound industries, was founded in 1894 and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a global leader in musical instruments, consumer electronics, and professional audio, and is dedicated to bringing the finest experiences to consumers by offering exceptional products with world-recognized brands.
Gibson Brands has a portfolio of over 100 notable brand names starting with the #1 guitar brand, Gibson. Other instrument brands include Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton, Chickering and Wurlitzer. In professional audio, KRK Systems, TASCAM, Cerwin-Vega, Stanton, and Cakewalk also continue Gibson’s tradition of quality in their respective markets. Consumer electronics brands include Onkyo, Integra, TEAC, and Esoteric.
Gibson Brands recently expanded its reach into consumer markets with the acquisition of Philips’ Home Entertainment based in Hong Kong – a company that invented the cassette tape, the CD format, the DVD format and the MP3 format. Under the Philips and Fidelio brand names, Gibson Brands continue to represent the ideal combination of innovation, tradition and a dedication to improving design while maintaining the highest level of craftsmanship.
A global company, Gibson Brands has manufacturing, marketing and research and development centers throughout the world. All Gibson Brands are dedicated to innovation, prestige and improving the quality of life and music for its customers. Its goal is to provide the most exceptional customer audio products and experiences in the world.
About Lester William Polsfuss, alias Les Paul
American virtuoso guitarist, innovative musician, composer, instrument maker and above all brilliant inventor, was the pioneer of solid bodied electric guitars. An innovation launched in 1952 in the shape of the “Gibson Les Paul” guitar, bringing life to Rock ‘n’ Roll sound.
