Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Raymond Weil's timepiece meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart ($1,500–$2,500). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Freelancer Open Heart justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic Caliber RW4200. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

Raymond WeilFreelancer Open Heart$1,500–$2,500 Check price Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Raymond Weil

Freelancer Open Heart

$1,500–$2,500

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$1,500–$2,500	$100–$150
Case Size	42mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic Caliber RW4200	Quartz
Caliber Type	Automatic (Sellita SW200 base)	Quartz
Power Reserve	38 Hours	Battery
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire with Antiglare	Mineral crystal
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Raymond Weil's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart features a Stainless Steel case at 42mm with Sapphire with Antiglare protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Raymond Weil

Automatic Caliber RW4200 vs Quartz

The Freelancer Open Heart runs the Automatic Caliber RW4200 (Automatic (Sellita SW200 base), 38 Hours power reserve) at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Freelancer Open Heart edges ahead on power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Raymond Weil

42mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 42mm, the Freelancer Open Heart wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart sits at $1,500–$2,500 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Freelancer Open Heart uses Sapphire with Antiglare with 38 Hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Freelancer Open Heart is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Raymond Weil

Freelancer Open Heart

Choose the Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart if you prioritize Automatic (Sellita SW200 base) engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At $1,500–$2,500, it delivers Automatic Caliber RW4200 with 38 Hours power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Raymond Weil bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $1,500–$2,500), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Raymond Weil Freelancer Open Heart may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Freelancer Open Heart at 42mm with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Freelancer Open Heart uses Sapphire with Antiglare while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.