Keen on getting a Raymond Weil? Discover this model’s best features and how it compares to other similar timepieces here.

In the soul-sapping, bottom-line-chasing world of luxury group conglomerates, Raymond Weil stands defiantly as the odd one out. Established in 1979, it remains one of the few watchmaking brands still in the hands of its founding family. Current CEO, Elie Bernheim is the grandson of Mr. Raymond Weil while his father, Olivier Bernheim serves as President.

In a nod to the family business, one of the brand’s most popular collections, the Freelancer, is said to be named after the late Mr. Weil’s desire for the company to remain an independent brand. Conceived in 2007, the Freelancer has enjoyed different iterations through the years. The latest version (below) is a sporty number in partnership with the Swiss professional sailing team, Realteam Sailing, as their Official Timing Partner for 2016. To commemorate the occasion, the brand has introduced a new Freelancer model that will take to the high seas with the team.

Like most diving watches, the ticker’s clean dial is highly legible and is paired with Super-LumiNova on the hands and applied indexes for increased visibility underwater. A black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel comes with white, green or orange graduations, while a double push-security system and integrated steel diver extension allows for a more comfortable wear.

Not content to be just a looker, the new Freelancer has also gone through a series of stringent tests which ensure it’s tough as nails. Successfully passing impact resistance, anti-magnetism, pressure and temperature assessments, the watch is a bona fide diving accessory with water resistance to a depth of 300m. Driven by the self-winding RW4000 movement, the new Freelancer has a 38-hour power reserve, which isn’t that high compared to its competitors, but it’s also not an essential feature for divers. So unless you're planning on staying completely still throughout your diving trip, you don't have to worry about your watch going to sleep.

Case	42.5mm, steel
Dial	Black galvanic, applied indexes with white Super-LumiNova
Movement	Self-winding Calibre RW4000
Strap	Black rubber with folding clasp and double push-security system
Functions	Central hours, minutes, seconds, three-day date window
Power reserve	38 hours