Omega Railmaster Review: Unsung Hero?
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Omega Railmaster
When most people hear the name Omega, instinctively they think of exploration and journeys to space with the Speedmaster series of watches. Or maybe enjoying a dry Martini after just saving the world like our favorite British spy James Bond, who would of course be sporting the Seamaster. What people don't seem to think of is some of the lesser-known models, like for instance the Railmaster.
The Railmaster or Railmaster Seamaster as it is correctly known, sits under the Seamaster line of watches from Omega. I think this model is one of the unsung heroes of the line, melding simple design with well-thought-out details, modern technology and versatile wearability for most people.
History
So what is the Omega Railmaster? Well, the original Omega Railmaster 1957 was developed for those that worked close to electric fields which would generally play havoc with most normal automatic watches. The original Railmaster watch which debuted in 1957 protected the watch movement up to a 1,000 gauss meaning that the watch would remain accurate which would be crucial for those people who relied on these watches for accurate timekeeping on a daily basis.
The Railmaster Today
Fast forward to 2017, and this Railmaster release remains true firstly to that ethos of accuracy and dependability in extreme environments, albeit in this instance, protection against electric fields. But With this modern incarnation, the Gauss protection is now set at a staggering 15,000 Gauss. It also blends some of the advantages of its Seamaster brothers in terms of 150 meters of water resistance, which may not be quite as much as the dedicated Seamaster. However, it's certainly enough to stop you worrying if you jump in the pool and have it on your wrist. A screw-down crown is featured, as well as a solid case-back, which all adds to the tool watch theme of this watch, although I’m sure some may have preferred to see this movement in action.
Railmaster Build and design
From a case perspective, there is zero polishing on the 40mm diameter case; the case itself has an excellent, brushed finish. The brushing does change directions which means it still has a certain depth to it as the light hits it. The integrated bezel, signature twisted lugs and sides are all brushed. I can't think of many other watches at this price point that have a finish quite like this. At 12mm thick, the watch feels solid without feeling too overbearing and unwieldy. With a short lug-to-lug of just a hair over 46mm and a lug-to-lug of 20mm, it feels perfectly proportioned on the wrist and wears smaller than the dimensions would suggest, in my opinion.
The screw-down case-back features Omega’s Naiad Lock technology which means the seal against the case should be perfect and also means that the orientation is precise. So, in this application, the case-back engraving of the Seamaster Hippocampus is correctly displayed and not at an awkward angle. The engraving itself also features the Railmaster name along with Gauss limit and anti-magnetic properties called out. Overall I enjoy this case from its simplicity of finishing to the subtle details and beautiful case-back engraving, it feels like a watch that will age well both aesthetically as well as finish-wise in terms of picking up those everyday scrapes and dings.
The Railmaster features Omega’s Naiad Lock system
With a case that's entirely brushed and relatively understated, Omega went with the same brushed theme for the dial of the Railmaster. However, to add some more texture and excitement, the dial is heavily brushed vertically. The dial options available for the Railmaster are black and Grey, but on this black version especially, the light play across this dial is genuinely something to behold. The black dial can go from almost mat black to a light grey as the light hits it from varying angles. Likewise, in some lighting situations, the brushing can be almost unapparent and then as you move your wrist to check the time you see it appear. It really is a very eye-catching finish that adds a real depth and presence to the dial.
The Railmaster Dial
The printing on the dial of the Railmaster is again simple but very nicely done with a chapter ring printed in white in a very subtle rail track layout and then triangle markers for the twelve hours. The hour markers are made entirely of LumiNova and are recessed into that brushed dial, and this means they sit almost flush, which is a lovely detail. All the LumiNova is faux patina in a creamy colour, which I'm sure divides opinion across the watch community, but it does work well with this dial. Railmaster at the six o'clock position is printed in the same colour as the LumiNova, and then below that in white is Co-Axial Master Chronometer, highlighting this is no ordinary Chronometer grade watch. Moving to the centre is a simple crosshair design used to signify the importance of the accuracy of these pieces.
Finishing off the dial is the Omega name and logo and the Arabic numerals at three, six, nine and twelve printed in crisp white. The dial, although simple in its overall form, has some fantastic details and the choice of finishes work so well together that it all comes together to be quite the attractive package.
For the handset, Omega went with a simple one with a polished finish. The baton-shaped hands are again filled with LumiNova with the patina finish, as is the lollipop second hand. The minute hand is very slightly thinner than the hour hand, and they all catch the light very nicely against this black dialed version helping the legibility even further. As a complete package, the dial case and handset work wonderfully together, giving a vintage tool watch feel but with a modern twist and sturdy feel.
The strong vertical brushing featured on the Railmaster’s dial
Comparison with Other Watches
While the Omega Railmaster shines with its unique blend of anti-magnetic properties and versatile design, comparing it with some notable counterparts can further highlight its strengths.
IWC Mark Series: The IWC Mark series is celebrated for its pilot watch heritage, offering solid anti-magnetic protection similar to the Railmaster. However, with a resistance of up to 15,000 Gauss, the Railmaster significantly outperforms the IWC Mark series, making it ideal for environments with extreme magnetic fields.
Tudor Black Bay: The Tudor Black Bay, known for its vintage appeal and robust construction, shares the Railmaster's tool watch aesthetic. Both watches offer impressive water resistance, but the Railmaster's advanced anti-magnetic technology and modern coaxial movement provide a distinct technological edge.
These comparisons underscore the Omega Railmaster's unique market position, blending historical significance, cutting-edge technology, and versatile design to meet modern demands.
The Movement 8806
As mentioned earlier, the Railmaster is designated as a Master Chronometer, and this is thanks to Omega’s Master co-axial calibre 8806 that sits inside. This is a very advanced time-only movement from Omega utilising both a co-axial escapement using a free-spring balance wheel and a silicon balance spring. Regulated to 0/+5 seconds a day, this is a very accurate movement. And also has an advantageous 55 hours of power reserve and will wind in both directions. This is a watch you can take off and leave for a day or two and then put it back on your wrist, and it will still be accurate and ready to go. Very useful indeed.
Bracelet or Strap?
The Railmaster is available on both bracelets and a lovely herringbone patterned black and grey fabric leather-lined strap. Both of them have fantastic finishing. I don't own a bracelet, so I can't speak to comfort. But the fabric strap is very comfortable and well made, with Omega branding on the buckle and steel-lined strap holes for durability. If you have the Bracelet version leave a comment below on how you find it, I would love to know.
Who is the Omega Railmaster for?
So who can wear the Railmaster? Well, aside from the obvious of anyone who needs to take advantage of the accuracy and very high Gauss-resistant properties. I think the Railmaster blends a lot of beneficial features that make it an excellent everyday wear for most people. It's neither too dressy nor too casual on a bracelet to not work in most situations.
The strap option on the Railmaster is comfortable and well finished
The Railmaster isn't a dress watch by any stretch of the imagination so I probably wouldn't reach for this if I were wearing a very formal suit. However, I wouldn't wear a Seamaster either, but it didn't do James Bond any harm, so I guess it comes down to personal preference. The Railmaster to me excels at everyday wear and is most at home in that situation. It can quite easily transition and look good when you're out with the family or friends in casual jeans and a t-shirt too going out in the evening and dressing up a little more with maybe a shirt and jacket. Only really at the fringes of either very formal situations to scrambling up a mountain would I say this isn't the watch I'd pick up to wear. That's not to say it isn't an incredibly capable watch and I'm sure there will be many who own this watch and use it for everything, and that's a testament to how well balanced this watch really is.
Conclusion
At 40mm, I think this is in a sweet spot for many people, and for those that prefer slightly smaller watches, you may be surprised how well this wears with those short compact lugs. On the wrist, it has just enough presence, and because of that dial, it draws just enough interest to make it feel like a unique piece to wear. With excellent legibility, a technically advanced and accurate movement, 150m of water resistance, and a 55hrs of power reserve. I think the Railmaster is one of the more versatile pieces that Omega produces in the Seamaster range, and it certainly deserves consideration if you are looking for an excellent everyday wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Omega Railmaster? The Omega Railmaster is a watch designed for those working near magnetic fields, offering high anti-magnetic protection and robust design.
2. How does the Omega Railmaster compare to other Omega models like the Speedmaster or Seamaster? While the Speedmaster is known for its space exploration heritage and the Seamaster for its association with James Bond, the Railmaster excels in anti-magnetic properties and versatile everyday wear.
3. What are the key features of the Omega Railmaster? Key features include 15,000 Gauss anti-magnetic protection, a brushed finish, a 40mm case, and a co-axial Master Chronometer movement.
4. Is the Omega Railmaster suitable for everyday wear? Yes, the Omega Railmaster is designed to be a versatile watch suitable for both casual and semi-formal occasions.
5. What is the anti-magnetic capability of the Omega Railmaster? The Omega Railmaster can withstand magnetic fields up to 15,000 Gauss, making it highly resistant to magnetic interference.
6. Does the Omega Railmaster come with different dial options? Yes, the Omega Railmaster is available with black and grey dial options, with the black version featuring a distinctive brushed texture.
7. What are the available strap options for the Omega Railmaster? The Omega Railmaster comes with a choice of a steel bracelet or a herringbone-patterned fabric strap, both offering comfort and durability.
Specifications:
Case: 40mm
Thickness: 12mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Lug to Lug: 46.5mm
Movement: Omega Master CO-AXIAL calibre 8806
Crystal: Sapphire with AR coating
Accuracy: 0/+5 per day
Power Reserve: 55 Hours
