Raymond Weil’s Freelancer Skeleton series has been steadily expanding over the years. In 2021 they introduced a pair at 42mm and then in 2024 a new model at 38mm, and now in 2026 they are threading the needle between the two with the launch of the new Freelancer RW1212 Anthracite Skeleton at 40mm. All these watches house the RW1212 calibre and the collection at all sizes (including the non-skeleton versions I haven’t mentioned) has since been rebranded to Freelancer RW1212.
Starting with the case, 40mm is a great size for the Freelancer Skeleton because the Freelancer is Raymond Weil’s sportiest collection, but skeleton displays are inherently not sporty. Meaning you get the best of both worlds where the watch is large enough to visually support the impact of its broad steel flanks and fairly wide bezel, but at the same time it’s not so big as to feel like a clunky tool watch when you aren’t going to be using it as one. The 10.6mm height is similarly in that Goldilocks zone of thickness.
The Freelancer RW1212 Anthracite Skeleton is presented with a choice of either a five-link steel bracelet or a dark blue calf leather strap. I personally prefer it on the bracelet because the dial doesn’t have any blue accents, so the blue strap feels a little bit out of place. It almost feels like the strap would be better suited on the older 38mm version because that does have blue accents and is also a touch dressier at the smaller size.
As you might be able to guess from the name of this watch, the dial’s primary accent colour is anthracite grey. A dark grey colour that has been used for the peripheral minute track, Raymond Weil logo, and the movement’s skeletonised bridges. The only deviations from this monochromatic palette are the golden balance wheel and gear train as well as the pink of the visible rubies.
The movement that’s on display, as I briefly mentioned, is the RW1212. It’s an automatic skeleton movement developed exclusively for Raymond Weil in collaboration with Sellita. It has a 41-hour power reserve, which you can watch unfold thanks to the open barrel at 11 o’clock, letting you see the spring coil and unwind during use. As a skeleton movement, as much material as possible has been removed to give you a clear look at its inner workings.
For pricing, the strap version is £3,395 and the bracelet edition is £3,495, which in the same region as the rest of the Freelancer RW1212 Skeleton models. It positions them as mid-range luxury watches, outside what you would describe as entry-level, or affordability focussed but also not unattainable for the average person.
Price and Specs:
More details at Raymond Weil.
