Omega Railmaster 60th Anniversary Review

This was an odd choice for me given that I’ve been hanging around the Panerai forum more often.

I’ve always liked the Railmaster ever since I saw a version of it debut ni 2003. Even more so the one that came out in an impossible to wear 49mm with a Unitas movement. I was new to watches back then and while I took notice of the RM, the newbie in me was more interested in pursuing the usual Moonwatch or Rolex path. So the desire to have one hibernated for awhile. Later on I would learn more about it and see really nice vintage specimens here in TP. The patina on them were really nice but I also realized how the ship has already sailed for most “worthwhile” vintage pieces in general.

Then came the 60th. I was floored. Took notice but then also thought that I’d probably be last on the list if ever I decided to get one. I have no real relationships with boutiques and buy my pieces usually when I get a chance to travel abroad. So it was quite a surprise when I got a call the week after I picked up the phone. I wasn’t really ready to buy a watch and those desires were balanced out by the expectation that I wasn’t going to be given an allocation ahead of the rest. So I thought my check book was safe.

Or so I thought. Next thing I know I was in the boutique, chatting with the lovely staff, and writing out a check like I was possessed. They told me that there was a long line for this one as well as the Trilogy sets. I probably pulled the right strings because this was the only one that came in thus far and I was “cleared” to have a go at the first RM in the country.

A couple thoughts on why I may have passed on it but glad that I didnt ..

IT’S SMALL

I wear a 372 most days and to suddenly go from 47 to 38 can be quite the visual drop. It was like a diabetic suddenly needing a shot of insulin. The watch felt small and the thin profile and the seemingly flimsy bracelet didnt help. And when I say small, I say that without sounding like a big watch snob. I have a Speedy and an “old” Exp2 that I wear and they’re just a millimeter or two larger than this one. I don’t get the small feeling when I wear those so...

But then having recovered from the initial shock, the RM started to feel at Home on my wrist. The 38 felt right. The thin profile and the “flimsy” bracelet started to make visual and period sense. I wear this piece and I feel like I’ve had this watch for a long time. The “vintage” feel transports you to a certain time and I find myself mumbling... “this is probably how the 50s/60s felt like”. And it felt really nice.

Small then became elegant.. something for the sporty gentleman if you will. It has a presence on the wrist that transcends its size. The Domed anti reflective sapphire glass almost had me thinking plexi. The bold Arabics, the arrow hands, the markers, and even the crown all add to a really cool presence.




FAUX PATINA

We’ve had our back and forth on this in various foras. I for one wonder if it was better to not have those on the 372, for example. Gimmicky? A slippery slope most definitely. But then why the hell was I attracted to it on the RM and the 372?

It’s easy to pass judgement and say that the design is taking advantage of this controversial trend. But then after having given a bit of thought on it, i realized i was attracted to it because its just plainly a nice tone that can give warmth to a piece.

Its not faking history although I’m sure the marketing guys are thnking otherwise. It’s just a nice shade of yellow/brown is all it is.




Surely there’s a BAD side to this watch?

I think the clasp is a bit big for a watch like this one. But its no deal breaker. I’m not sure if that clasp size is period correct (sorry no photo). It probably looks better on the other two pieces from the Trilogy.

And this one has nothing to do with the watch... The Box is just too big and I think they should really just consider packing it with something a bit more Space friendly... like a travel pouch which came with the watch BTW.

Looking forward to enjoying this piece! Thanks for reading.

Best,

Echi