Earlier this year, Swiss watch manufacturer Raymond Weil and Gibson Brands, an American manufacturer of guitars and other instruments, announced their plans to work together to create a special Nabucco timepiece, specifically inspired by the famous self-tuning Gibson SG Standard guitar. Here’s a look at the watch that resulted.
The special-edition Raymond Weil Nabucco timepiece has four key design elements that signify it as a Gibson Special Edition. First, the iconic Gibson logo is located just above the Raymond Weil plaque in the center of the dial, replacing the standard applied 12 o’clock hour marker. The second design element is the six grooves that encircle the edges of the black galvanic dial, symbolizing the strings of a Gibson SG Standard guitar. The third is the Gibson logo incorporated into the custom oscillating weight that is visible through the clear sapphire caseback. Finally, there are the two prominent screws that attach the Raymond Weil logo, which are similar to the screws in the center of the guitar that secure the six strings.
The case is made of titanium and steel and measures 46 mm by 15.25 mm. The bezel insert is made of matte gray ceramic with an engraved tachymeter scale, complemented by a polished stainless steel bezel edge. The stainless steel screw-locked crown (fluted with the Raymond Weil “RW” monogram) and pushers at 2, 4 and 10 o’clock, are also polished, providing a nice contrast to the matte-finished titanium case.
Thanks to the aforementioned locking crown and pushers, as well as a screw-down sapphire caseback and gaskets, the watch is water-resistant to 200 meters.
Inside, is what Raymond Weil refers to as a bespoke RW5010 mechanical chronograph, which runs at 4 Hz and has a 46-hour power reserve and 27 jewels. (It is otherwise known as an ETA/Valjoux 7753.) One unique feature that sets its apart from the well-known ETA Valjoux 7750 is the push-button date corrector adjustment function, located on the caseband at 10 o’clock.
Indications include central hours and minutes and small seconds at 9 o’clock, with a circular date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. Chronograph seconds are counted with the red central hand; the chronograph has a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock.
The front sapphire crystal has a dual-sided antiglare treatment which makes for clear viewing of the dial. Further enhancing readability are luminescent Arabic numerals at 12 o’clock and eight applied, luminescent indexes. The Boston-shaped and diamond-tipped steel hour and minute hands are treated with luminous material. There is also a Boston-shaped steel hand for small seconds (at 9 o’clock). Red baton-shaped hands are used for the 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph subdials, which are respectively located at 3 and 6 o’clock.
The Raymond Weil Nabucco Gibson Special Edition is paired with a black rubber alligator-style strap with black stitching, equipped with an RW-branded titanium and polished steel folding clasp. The watch (Ref. 7850 TIR GIBS1) is available for sale now at a retail price of $4,950.
Oh sure, “bespoke.”