Raymond Weil Caliber RW4251

The Raymond Weil caliber RW4251 is a 3-hander with a small seconds subdial found in the brand’s Millesime Automatic Small Seconds model. The same watch won the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Challenge Watch Prize in 2023 (source: Raymond Weil press-release 11/15/23).

RW4251 VS RW4200:

The rotor of the stock images says RW 4200. Apparently the brand thinks they are similar enough to features a render of a caliber RW4200 on the official product page for the Millesime watch, which is actually powered by the RW4251. In reality, the two calibers are not similar – the RW4200 is actually a central seconds hand movement (see example here), while the RW4251 is a small seconds movement.

Also noted is the inconsistent caliber number: RW4200 in the website text, but RW 4200 (with a space) on the rotor.

To make matters worse, if you look closely under the balance wheel of their stock photo, it looks like it says SW200-1, which is a central seconds hand movement.

Editor’s Comments: There is no excuse for a watch brand to present their products in this manner. Especially large watch companies with watches retailing for thousands of dollars. It is lazy and quite frankly not respectful to the customers. As a brand-builder and founder of a 1.5 decades old eCommerce watch shop, it is mind-boggling to me how a brand can get away with such flagrant lack of effort in their presentation. Yet, as many brands have proven, people will still spend money on watches displayed in computer generated imagery with inconsistent information. Alas, I guess that’s why you’re on my site looking it up… but where’s the commission check?

RW 4251 VS RW 4250:

Raymond Weil does have a calibre RW4250 (aka RW 4250) with a small seconds subdial, similar to the RW 4215 being discussed on this page.

The main difference is that the RW4250 has a date at 3:00 – the RW4251 a no-date. However, it is still unconfirmed if the RW4251 is a true no-date movement, meaning that it does not have a phantom date position. If you have this watch, please leave a comment below…

Base Caliber:

The base movement of the RW4251 appears to be a Sellita with a custom rotor.

You may see some reviewers reference the Sellita caliber SW261-1 as the base for the RW4251, but Caliber Corner thinks it is closer to the SW260-1. They are very similar movements, but the small seconds hand pinion is either higher or lower on the dial depending on the version. See below…

The difference between the SW260-1 and SW261-1 is less than a millimeter of distance between the position of the small seconds hand. The image above may be an optical illusion caused by case and dial size (it’s based on a computer render after all). Therefore, this is unconfirmed and just a best guess based on visuals. It would not be surprising if it is in fact the SW261-1 since that movement seems to be more widely used than the SW260-1.

Of course, it doesn’t help when a watch brand is not transparent about their movement specs and the base movement used. If you have a watch with the RW4251, please check under the balance wheel and post an image if possible.

Interestingly, Raymond Weil does not bother to list a jewel count for the RW4251, nor is it found on the rotor or caseback, but their site does list a movement height of 4.6mm. Sellita lists the height of the SW26X-1 as 5.6mm. The SW200-1 (central seconds) is 4.6mm.

Editor’s Comments Rant continued from above: It’s frustrating when the brands themselves do not fully understand the movements in their watches.

Video: Millesime Automatic Small Seconds

Video: GPHG 2023 Challenge Watch Prize

Additional Resources:

• More Raymond Weil watch movements
• Raymond Weil instruction manual (pdf)

Not: caliber RW4251, RW-4251