Is the Freelancer 2781-SP5-20051 a good first Swiss automatic?

Yes. It uses an in-house Swiss automatic with a power-reserve display and sapphire crystal, and the open-heart dial makes the mechanics visible. It is a common entry point into Swiss autos.

How does it compare with a Tudor 1926 or Omega De Ville?

It offers an open-heart dial and power-reserve display those models usually lack, at a lower tier of finishing and brand prestige. Their movements typically run longer between winds.

What is the power reserve and how often should I wind it?

The RW1212 runs about 38 hours on a full wind. Wear it daily or wind it if it sits more than a day and a half.

It is rated to 100 meters with a screw-down crown, so swimming and showering are fine. Skip diving and hot water.

What comes in the box?

The watch and the manufacturer's packaging. The bracelet is two-tone rose gold PVD and stainless steel with a folding clasp.

Does the open-heart dial hurt legibility?

The cutout sits in the lower dial and the hands are luminous rose gold. Reading the time is fine in daylight; in dim light the contrast is weaker than on a plain black dial.

Where can I buy the Raymond Weil Freelancer 2781-SP5-20051 Men's Watch?

6 stores we checked sell it, including WatchMaxx.com, Walmart, eBay, Exquisite Timepieces, Watches & Pens.

Raymond Weil Freelancer 2781-SP5-20051 Men's Watch

Q: Where is the Raymond Weil Freelancer 2781-SP5-20051 Men's Watch cheapest?

At WatchMaxx.com, for $1,771.00, 41% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Best price now

$1,771.00at WatchMaxx.comChecked Nov 4

41% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 6 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit WatchMaxx.com

What reviewers say

Owners of the Freelancer open-heart line generally praise the finish and the visible movement for the money, and call it comfortable on the wrist. Some note the short power reserve and the size of the case.

What people mention

MovementPraisedOwners like seeing the RW1212 balance wheel through the dial and case back.
Power reserveCriticisedThe 38-hour reserve means it stops if left off for a weekend.
SizeMixedAt 42mm it suits larger wrists but feels big for a dress watch.
FinishPraisedBrushed and polished two-tone surfaces are called well executed for the tier.
LegibilityMixedThe open-heart cutout and rose gold hands can be hard to read in dim light.

About the Raymond Weil Freelancer 2781-SP5-20051 Men's Watch

The Raymond Weil Freelancer 2781-SP5-20051 is a men's automatic dress watch. It has an open heart black dial with luminous rose gold tone hands and stick hour markers. Minute markers run around the outer rim.

The case is brushed and polished stainless steel with rose gold PVD coating, and the bracelet is two-tone stainless steel with a folding clasp. The bezel is fixed. A scratch resistant sapphire crystal covers the dial, and a see-through case back shows the movement.

It is powered by a Swiss automatic Calibre RW1212 movement with a power reserve of about 38 hours. The watch shows hour, minute, second and power reserve. It has a screw down crown and is water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet).

Model

2781-SP5-20051

Movement

Swiss automatic, Calibre RW1212

Power reserve

38 hours

Case

Rose gold PVD coated stainless steel, round

Case size

42mm diameter, 10.90mm thick

Bracelet

Two-tone stainless steel with folding clasp