Discover the Elegance of Raymond Weil’s New A.R.T. Collection: A Budget-Friendly Sports Watch
Since winning the GPHG Challenge Watch Prize in 2023 with the Millesime, Raymond Weil has been on an impressive streak. The Millesime collection is proof that stylish Swiss-made watches can be affordable. Their previous release, the dressy Toccata Heritage Series, further cemented this philosophy. Now, under the leadership of Raymond Weil’s grandson, Elie Berheim, the brand is making an exciting entrance into the highly competitive world of integrated-bracelet sports watches with the brand-new A.R.T. collection.
The A.R.T. collection features designs in full stainless steel as well as stainless steel with a gold-tone PVD-treated bezel, center links, and crown. You can choose from a sophisticated dial in either graphite, sage gray, or blue.
What Does A.R.T. Stand For?
A.R.T. symbolizes art, refinement, and timekeeping. With the success of the Millesime and Toccata collections, Raymond Weil has already showcased its mastery in refinement and timekeeping. Now, let’s explore whether they can also add a touch of art to the mix with the new A.R.T. collection.
Exploring the New Raymond Weil A.R.T. Collection
As mentioned earlier, the A.R.T. collection marks Raymond Weil’s entrance into the bustling market of integrated-bracelet sports watches. The fully stainless steel models—with or without the gold-tone PVD accents—boast a compact 38mm case that is 10mm thick and 42mm long. The design leaves a 45mm “footprint” on the wrist, making the A.R.T. Date, as it’s officially known, a comfortable fit.
The case and H-link bracelet feature a simplistic ’70s design and are predominantly brushed, with a polished bevel that beautifully enhances their soft lines. The brushed and polished bezel has a 36mm diameter and showcases four subtle notches that are easy to miss at first. Located at 3 o’clock, there’s a fluted, signed push-and-pull crown used to operate the RW4200 automatic movement inside.
This reliable movement is built on the well-regarded Sellita SW200-1, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, featuring 26 jewels, and providing a 41-hour power reserve. Although you can’t see the movement due to an all-steel snap-on case back, the A.R.T. still boasts an impressive 100m water resistance rating.
Choose Your Perfect Color Combination
The A.R.T. collection lets you choose from dial colors of blue, sage gray, and graphite (black) for the stainless steel version. If you prefer the two-tone design with yellow gold PVD, you can select either blue or graphite options. Each dial features a subtle sunburst finish, paired with baton hands and applied indexes. The concentric minute track sits slightly lower than the rest of the dial, creating a captivating sense of depth. The two-tone version harmonizes beautifully, as hands and indexes match the gold accents.
The date window at 3 o’clock is easy to read and eliminates the need for a magnifier on the sapphire crystal. Always white, the date disk corresponds perfectly with the luminescent indexes. Overall, the dial has a clean aesthetic, only displaying the Raymond Weil wordmark at 12 o’clock and the “Swiss Made” designation on the chapter ring at 6.
The Experience on Your Wrist
The Raymond Weil A.R.T., with its 38mm case, fits perfectly on my 17cm wrist. It’s lightweight and slim, and the bracelet wraps comfortably around my wrist without any gaps. The construction of the case and bracelet feels robust, exactly what you’d expect from an integrated-bracelet sports watch.
One drawback is the overlapping RW logo on the bracelet; it makes closing the bracelet slightly tricky. You must secure one end before the other, or else it won’t click together. On the upside, the butterfly clasp’s push buttons are sturdy and reliable. Unfortunately, there’s no option for micro-adjustment or a quick-release system on the bracelet, nor are there any rubber or leather straps available just yet.
Personally, my favorite variant of the A.R.T. is the all-steel model with the blue dial. That one truly resonates with me; the gray version lacks a bit of contrast, while the black version feels a bit too standard. The two-tone models also look elegant, but I think I would wear the all-steel version more frequently.
Does the A.R.T. Collection Bring Originality?
The real question is whether the “art” in A.R.T. is justified. The integrated-bracelet sports watch market is saturated, making it challenging for new entrants to stand out. While the Raymond Weil A.R.T. is undoubtedly well-built, it understandably bears similarities to established models in the field. The IWC Ingenieur is the first watch that comes to mind.
While calling the Raymond Weil A.R.T. an “artful” creation may be a stretch, its pricing is certainly enticing: €1,995 / US$1,995 / £1,895 for the all-steel models and €2,095 / US$2,095 / £1,995 for the two-tone variants make the Raymond Weil A.R.T. a compelling value with impressive proportions and build quality. Only time will reveal if its design can carve out a niche among the ever-growing competition.
What are your thoughts on Raymond Weil’s new A.R.T. collection? Share your opinions in the comments below.