Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Raymond Weil Millesime Infinite Burgundy Dresses in Red for the Chinese Year of the Snake
A discreet tribute to the Year of the Snake on the Millesime’s vintage sector dial.
Raymond Weil hit a home run with the introduction of its Millesime collection last year. Using vintage design cues, the Millesime nailed the retro sector dial, offering fans of the genre an attractive option at an attractive price. The latest Millesime jumps on the Chinese New Year bandwagon with a limited edition with a rich red dial. While the Millesime Infinite Burgundy does not feature the image of a snake, the red-coloured dial and the auspicious limited edition number 88 are both associated with good fortune in Chinese culture.
Introduced in January 2024, the Millesime came as something of a surprise. As a relatively young Swiss watch brand founded in 1976, the style of the Millesime was closer to vintage Art Deco sector dial models that did not form part of the brand’s heritage. The Millesime’s inaugural Small Seconds and Central Seconds references caught our eye with their refined sector dials, relatively contained proportions (and prices) and overall dress watch vibe. Rapidly expanding, the Millesime is now home to a Moon Phase and a Chronograph.
The model chosen for the Chinese New Year is the Millesime Central Seconds in a 39.5mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 9.25mm. Identical in build to earlier models, the three-part case has a flat bezel, a large, fluted crown and a combination of vertically brushed and polished surfaces. Underscoring its vintage aspirations, a box-shaped sapphire crystal protects the dial.
The strict geometry of the sector dial, marked by three concentric tracks progressing in size from the seconds (180 short markers) on the periphery, followed by the minutes (60 medium markers) and hours (12 thick markers), facilitates precision time readings. Different finishes further distinguish the tracks: the hours tracks is smooth, while the minutes and seconds tracks are snailed. Another common feature of sector dials is the crosshair in the centre, which has been engraved into the dial and picked out with a vertical brushed finish to match the bezel.
The rich burgundy colour of the dial is a nod to Chinese cultural traditions that associate red with celebrations, prosperity and good luck. Thanks to the different finishes, the dial’s red colour varies. The only trace of luminescence is found on the hour and minute hands. A sapphire window on the caseback reveals the RW4200 automatic movement. Using a Sellita SW200 base with a customised openworked rotor, the movement delivers a 41-hour power reserve.
The Millesime Infinite Burgundy comes on a matching red leather strap with a stainless steel buckle, and the caseback is engraved with ‘One of 88’. The watch retails for USD 1,650, EUR 1,695 or CHF 1,575. More information at Raymond-Weil.com.
