Putting on the new Raymond Weil Maestro Cushion, I didn’t know what to make of it. Do I like the watch? Does it look flattering on the wrist. The old TV screen-style case has been a hit and miss historically as it seems to have made some watches nicer, while others not so nice at all. After looking at the Maestro Cushion on my wrist for a while, I think I like it. The price ain’t too bad either.

I am typically much pickier with my dress watches than I am with sport watches. I don’t usually wear formal attire, so I don’t usually wear a formal watch. When it comes to dress watches I need to really like them to feel inspired enough to wear them. I also feel that dress watches need to be very legible. Otherwise I won’t dare wear them. This 2013 Maestro Cushion adds to the larger Maestro watch family and is an appealing watch if you find use for it often enough in your preferred attire.

Raymond Weil is among the few brands such as Frederique Constant that know how to make a Swiss made dress watch that looks a lot more expensive than it is. These pieces are both under $1,800 and offer a classic, yet refreshingly unconventional look. Given the cushion-shape, the cases feel larger than they are, which is 40mm x 40mm. There is one version in polished steel on a polished steel bracelet, and another version in PVD gold on a black leather strap.

Both styles of the Maestro Cushion are nice, though for me I would choose the gold-toned one on the strap. Mostly because the black strap contrasts with the case allowing for the shape to show prominently. Again, no one is buying this watch in an attempt to hide that cushion shape. The case itself is water resistant to 50 meters and has a sapphire crystal over the dial.