{"id":537205,"date":"2026-02-26T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/?p=537205"},"modified":"2026-02-26T12:29:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T01:29:41","slug":"raymond-weils-award-winning-millesime-just-got-a-black-tie-makeover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/raymond-weils-award-winning-millesime-just-got-a-black-tie-makeover","title":{"rendered":"Raymond Weil&#8217;s Award-Winning Millesime Just Got a Black-Tie Makeover"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The Geneva <em>Maison<\/em> celebrates its 50th anniversary by dressing its most acclaimed collection in tuxedo-inspired dials, and the result is one of the most compelling watches under $2,500.<\/strong><\/p><p>The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/i-would-never-wear-a-small-watch\" type=\"post\" id=\"531064\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Millesime Small Seconds<\/a> already had form. It took home the Challenge Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve, an award reserved for the best watches under CHF 2,000, which put <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.raymond-weil.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Raymond Weil<\/a> in rare company for an independent, family-owned brand competing against the usual Swiss heavyweights.<\/p><p>Now, as the <em>Maison<\/em> turns 50, it\u2019s given that same watch a new wardrobe, and it\u2019s a sharp one.<\/p><p>The 2026 Millesime Small Seconds draws on the tuxedo dial, a design rooted in the Art Deco era that\u2019s quietly making a comeback across the industry. The concept is simple: bold two-tone contrasts that split the dial into light and dark zones, much like the lapel and shirt of a well-cut dinner suit. It\u2019s formal without being stuffy, detailed without being busy.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1166931920\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1479405187 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1479405187 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[300,250],[320,100],[320,180],[336,280],[640,360]],\"incontent-1166931920\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1479405187.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1166931920\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1479405187);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"931\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_03_CROP_RVB_LR-1400x931.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-537206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_03_CROP_RVB_LR-1400x931.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_03_CROP_RVB_LR-960x639.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_03_CROP_RVB_LR-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_03_CROP_RVB_LR-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_03_CROP_RVB_LR-480x319.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><\/figure><p>Three colourways tell the story. The black and white (ref. 2930-STC-05642) is the purist\u2019s pick, all classic evening-wear energy with a cream centre against a glossy black hour ring.<\/p><p>The midnight blue and black (ref. 2930-STC-05502) is moodier, deeper, with that same formal backbone but a richer warmth to it.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1924778953\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_361619689 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_361619689 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1924778953\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_361619689.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1924778953\");});};adsQueue.push(load_361619689);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>And then there\u2019s the red grape with light grey (ref. 2930-STC-05450), which is the curveball of the trio, more contemporary, more adventurous, and the one that\u2019ll likely get people talking.<\/p>    <div class=\"content-subscribe\">\n        <div class=\"subscribe-box\">\n            <p class=\"subscribe-title\">Curated news for men, <br\/>delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n            <form class=\"subscribe-form\" method=\"POST\">\n                <div class=\"subscribe-input\">\n                    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"subscribe-email\">Email:<\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"subscribe-email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email\" required class=\"form-control\" autocomplete=\"on\" \/>\n                    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"button button-primary subscribe-button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"article\" \/>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_wpnonce\" name=\"_wpnonce\" value=\"e2df992756\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537205\" \/>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"form-result\"><\/div>\n            <\/form>\n            <p class=\"subscribe-copy\">Join the DMARGE newsletter \u2014 Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive stories on style, travel, luxury, cars, and watches. Straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-the-dial-does-differently\">What the Dial Does Differently<\/h2><p>Look closer and there\u2019s genuine craft in the layering here. The centre of each dial is vertically satin-brushed with a structural crosshair and a raw V-shaped groove cut through it, a nod to the industrial side of Art Deco that most brands tend to overlook.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1078318224\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_631655570 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_631655570 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1078318224\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_631655570.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1078318224\");});};adsQueue.push(load_631655570);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>The glossy lacquered index ring sits on top, creating a contrast in both colour and texture, whilst the azure minute track adds a sense of lightness around the perimeter. The small seconds subdial at 6 o\u2019clock sits recessed within an opaline ring, giving the whole dial a sense of depth that you don\u2019t often see at this price point.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"934\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_01_CROP_RVB_LR-1400x934.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-537208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_01_CROP_RVB_LR-1400x934.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_01_CROP_RVB_LR-960x641.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_01_CROP_RVB_LR-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_01_CROP_RVB_LR-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_01_CROP_RVB_LR-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><\/figure><p>Above it all sits a domed glassbox sapphire crystal, a vintage-inspired touch that catches light beautifully and gives the watch a rounded, almost pillowy profile from the side.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-679811721\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1584942065 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1584942065 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-679811721\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1584942065.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-679811721\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1584942065);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>The obelisk-shaped hands are treated with Super-LumiNova for low-light legibility, and at 39mm across and just 10.25mm thick, the case wears slim and comfortable on the wrist.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fifty-years-of-doing-it-their-way\">Fifty Years of Doing It Their Way<\/h2><p>Raymond Weil has always occupied an interesting position in Swiss watchmaking. Founded in 1976 and still family-run under CEO Elie Bernheim, the founder\u2019s grandson, it\u2019s one of the few independent Geneva houses that hasn\u2019t been absorbed into a luxury conglomerate.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-660735186\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_2106223221 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_2106223221 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-660735186\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_2106223221.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-660735186\");});};adsQueue.push(load_2106223221);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>That matters, because it means decisions like this, putting genuine design ambition into a sub-$2,500 watch, are made on their own terms.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"934\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_02_CROP_RVB_LR-1400x934.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-537207\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_02_CROP_RVB_LR-1400x934.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_02_CROP_RVB_LR-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_02_CROP_RVB_LR-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_02_CROP_RVB_LR-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/RW_MILLESIME_2930-STC-05642_LIFESTYLE_02_CROP_RVB_LR-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (max-width: 1024px) 800px, (min-width: 1025px) 1000px, 2048px\" \/><\/figure><p>The RW4251 movement inside is a mechanical self-winding calibre with a 41-hour power reserve. It\u2019s visible through a sapphire caseback, where you\u2019ll also spot the brand\u2019s signature W-shaped oscillating weight.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-801728085\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_2068090573 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_2068090573 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-801728085\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_2068090573.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-801728085\");});};adsQueue.push(load_2068090573);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>Each reference comes on a calfskin leather strap with tone-on-tone stitching and a subtle W-shaped stitch detail, though a stainless steel bracelet option is also available.<\/p><p>At $2,295 USD (around $2,250 EUR), this is serious Swiss watchmaking at an accessible price. The GPHG win wasn\u2019t a fluke, and these new tuxedo dials prove the Millesime has more chapters in it yet.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-specifications\"><strong>Specifications<\/strong><\/h2><figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-small-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Reference<\/strong><\/td><td>2930-STC-05642 \/ 2930-STC-05502 \/ 2930-STC-05450<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Movement<\/strong><\/td><td>Mechanical self-winding, Calibre RW4251<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Power Reserve<\/strong><\/td><td>41 hours<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Functions<\/strong><\/td><td>Hours, minutes, small seconds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Case<\/strong><\/td><td>Stainless steel, 39mm diameter, 10.25mm thick<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Crystal<\/strong><\/td><td>Glassbox sapphire, dual-sided anti-reflective coating<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Case Back<\/strong><\/td><td>Sapphire crystal display<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Water Resistance<\/strong><\/td><td>50m \/ 5 ATM<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Strap<\/strong><\/td><td>Calfskin leather (also available on stainless steel bracelet)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Price<\/strong><\/td><td>CHF 2,075 \/ USD $2,295 \/ EUR \u20ac2,250 \/ GBP \u00a31,950<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Geneva Maison celebrates its 50th anniversary by dressing its most acclaimed collection in tuxedo-inspired dials, and the result is one of the most compelling watches under $2,500. The Millesime Small Seconds already had form. It took home the Challenge Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d\u2019Horlogerie de Gen\u00e8ve, an award reserved for the best [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":537209,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[249],"tags":[],"coauthors":[146525],"class_list":{"0":"post-537205","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-watches"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=537205"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":537210,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537205\/revisions\/537210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/537209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=537205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=537205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=537205"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=537205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}