Music to my ears! Raymond Weil has just released a new version of their Toccata line, and this one might be their biggest win in a year full of them.
Okay, nobody can tell me anymore that Raymond Weil hasn’t been one of the biggest standouts in this new era of watchmaking. Though they’ve certainly earned their stripes over nearly fifty years in the industry, much of the watch world had long relegated them to little more than an afterthought. However, in recent times, the true nature of this Swiss independent has become far more apparent as they consolidate their position as champions of accessible, modern horology.
They’ve proved this countless times now. First came the Millesime, released in 2023 to critical acclaim and even a GPHG award. In 2024, chronograph renditions expanded the line, followed by new versions of their staple Freelancer collection the following year, introducing a slew of much-needed refinements. All this without breaking the AU$10,000 barrier — a testament to their commitment to value-driven watchmaking.
With their 50th anniversary approaching, you’d be forgiven for thinking the team at Raymond Weil HQ deserved a long break to close out the year. Or so I thought, because it seems the brand’s passion for horology far outweighs any cause for celebration. The result? Nine — yes, nine — new references in what Raymond Weil calls the Toccata Heritage collection.
In an almost audacious display of prowess, the brand has released what might be one of the best and most accessible dress watches in the entire industry. The Toccata name is a perfect fit, given Raymond Weil’s deep connection to the world of music. The term ‘toccata’ refers to a virtuoso composition that showcases a performer’s dexterity and precision. With toccata and other forms of music shaping the rhythm of Raymond Weil’s watchmaking, the Toccata collection similarly elevates and refines the character of its wearer.
The nine new references in the Toccata Heritage line compose a range of distinct aesthetics and sizes. The four Large models measure up at 33mm wide, 38mm long, and a svelte 6.95mm thick, while the five Small references come in a even more delicate 31mm x 36mm x 5.1mm case.
Four different dial colours are available in the collection: blue, silver, and a coppery-champagne colour in the Large, and Small replacing the champagne dial option with a red one. Both types are available in stainless steel or rose gold PVD, with three Small models including a bezel of 60 lab-grown diamonds. Additionally, while the collection sports mostly leather straps, five-link bracelet options are available for both sizes.
Distinct from the previous subcategories of the Toccata line, the Toccata Heritage features an oval-shaped case. While oval cases are often associated with feminine designs, this one isn’t a pure oval. To my eye, it’s more of an elliptical ‘squircle’ than a traditional oval.
For watch enthusiasts, that gives it an uncanny resemblance to the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse — one of the brand’s most iconic dress watches. However, I don’t believe Raymond Weil set out to compete with one of the Big Three. Rather, the design pays tribute to one of the most recognisable case shapes from the abstract design language of the 1960s and 70s.
In the movement department, the Small models feature an unremarkable quartz calibre. That’s not a red flag by any means — the beauty of the design shines through regardless. The Large models, however, tell a completely different story. These four references feature display case backs revealing the manually wound RW 4100, which, on observation, appears to be a derivation of the Sellita SW215.
This comes as no surprise to those familiar with the brand, as Raymond Weil and Sellita maintain an ongoing partnership for movement manufacturing. Beating at the luxury standard of 4 Hz (28,800VpH) with a 45-hour power reserve, it’s a welcome touch to see the RW 4100 fitted with blued screws — something I’ve been hoping to see ever since I started at Watch Advice.
My Thoughts
While my time as a Raymond Weil fan has often been spent celebrating the release of new editions, there’s always been a small, nagging thought at the back of my mind: with this grand repositioning of the brand, what would happen to their earlier models? The previous era of Raymond Weil certainly had its own successes, but the quality of design and craftsmanship now feels worlds apart from what they were once producing.
So, what would they do? Leave the old models as they are until they quietly phase out, or scrap them entirely and start fresh? Both options might seem appealing at first glance — it’s always easier to walk away than to put in the effort to make something work again. Yet that’s exactly what Raymond Weil has done: they’ve taken the harder route, revitalising their past work and, in doing so, renewed its value tenfold beyond what many thought possible.
It’s not just the quality of the workmanship that fascinates me, but the price point. Almost all of these new watches sit just under the AU$4,000 mark, placing them in an enviable position within both their own catalogue and the wider industry. It’s remarkable how much Raymond Weil continues to invest in its watches while maintaining such competitive pricing. At this stage, though, it’s hardly surprising, and it’ll take nothing short of a miracle for the brand’s competitors to slow down the Raymond Weil hype train. Still, words from the outside can only say so much — so let’s wait and see until I get my hands on one myself…
References:
- Large: 2280-‘STC-64001’ (Silver on leather) / ‘STC-50001’ (Blue on leather) / ‘ST-50001’ (Blue on bracelet) / ‘PC5-80001’ (Rose gold PVD)
- Small: 5280-‘STC-50001’ (Blue on leather) / ‘PC-64001’ (Yellow gold PVD) / ‘STS-50001’ (Blue on bracelet with diamonds) / ‘STS-45001’ (Red on bracelet with diamonds) / ‘P5S-64001’ (Rose gold PVD on bracelet with diamonds)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 33mm case diameter x 38mm lug-to-lug x 6.95mm thickness (Large) / 31mm case diameter x 36mm lug-to-lug x 5.1mm thickness (Small)
- Case Material: Stainless steel or rose gold PVD steel (Large) / With diamonds (Small)
- Dial: Sunray brushed blue, silver, or copper (Large) / Silver, red, or blue (Small)
- Movement: Manual wind RW 4100 (Large) / Quartz (Small)
- Power Reserve: 45h (Large)
- Beat Rate: 4Hz (28,800VpH, Large)
- Water Resistance: 30m (3bar)
- Strap: Various leather straps with steel buckle or steel / rose gold PVD steel five-link bracelet with butterfly clasp
Australian RRPs:
- Large: AU$2,750 (Blue/Silver on leather) / AU$2,950 (Blue on bracelet) / AU$2,995 (Rose gold PVD)
- Small: AU$1,995 (Blue on leather) / AU$2,350 (Yellow gold PVD) / AU$3,995 (Blue/red on bracelet with diamonds) / AU$4,300 (Rose gold PVD on bracelet with diamonds)