My Grail-Master has landed

Jul 08, 2014,01:08 AM
 

As you may know, I am a big fan of Omega sports watches. I have an early Speedmaster and a Seamaster for quite some time now, but the Railmaster was on my wishlist for years…Maybe I was just waiting for the good one to show up !

Born in 1957, the Railmaster reference 2914 is part of the famous trilogy of "technical" watches: The Speedmaster was designed for the sporty man, eager to measure short time. The Seamaster addressed unquestionably amateur or professional scuba diving, thanks to a new crown to increased tightness. Finally the Railmaster, was more specifically invoking an impressive resistance to magnetic fields. In summary, the trilogy of "technical" Omega was not addressed to Mr. everybody, but in a market segment played by the dynamic Man, that was efficient to identify and strongly assert "niche" worn by model. Marketing strategies of our time have therefore invented anything in this regard.

The Railmaster was designed to withstand magnetic fields of about 1000 gauss. Technically, this performance was made ??possible by several features. These include double box. The first and second steel (within the first) soft iron called Mumetal insensitive to the effects of magnetism. It does not say advertising is that the dial itself has a thickness of about 1 mm against 0.4 mm for a "normal" dial.

Now at last, here’s my watch. As I am a fool for “tropical” dials, I needed to find an example with a special dial color… Even if it’s quite uneven, I like it a lot: It has a lot of “wabi” and a character of its own.


My watch is a reference 2914-2, it has the “broad arrow” hands that were fitted from 2914-1 to 2914-3 (2914-3 to 4 had dauphine hands).


The Railmaster has a great case: 39mm is quite large for a 1950’s watch, especially with such a large dial “opening”. Because of the anti-magnetic structure, the watch is also quite thick and feels bullet proof on the wrist. I love the case of my watch, which has kept its sharp bevels.  






The watch still has its original naiad crown, a very sexy detail to me. The theoretical water resistance of the Railmaster is 60 meters.


The first Railmaster - until 2914-2 - did not have any Seahorse on the backcase, as you can see on this picture. The inside caseback has the usual Omega engravings.







The movement in my watch is the cal. 284 - created in 1955 - with central sweep-second hand and 17 jewels. Other Railmaster references are fitted with either cal. 285 created in 1958, or cal. 286 created in 1961
 



In conclusion, the Railmaster is now one of the favourite watches in my collection. I like the character of my example and also the philosophy of the model, especially designed for scientists, technicians, electricians, etc…working within close distance of powerful electric currents. In 1954, Rolex introduced its Milgauss model. In 1955, IWC countered with the Ingenieur . And in 1957, Omega joined the anti-magnetic party with the Railmaster. What was the attraction of these fiercly anti-magnetic watches? Was it inspired by the Cold War and Space Race, when science was pushing limits and making news? We don’t know for sure, but we love the watches.





This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2014-07-08 01:47:36 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2014-07-14 04:42:13 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2015-10-16 04:29:48


More posts: CK 2913CK 2914MilgaussRailmasterSeamasterSeamaster 300Speedmaster

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Congratulations, Jeff. The Railmaster is certainly one of the most

 
 By: amanico : July 8th, 2014-01:46
Desirable vintage Omegas, along with the 33.3 and the Seamaster... Now you have the holy Trinity! Here is the PAF, to welcome yours. BRAVO! Nicolas ...  

congratulations, jeff ! nice example with a great dial. mine are

 
 By: watch.out1 : July 9th, 2014-18:06
spending their time at the bankvault....and I do not have your first example; just a few others. PAF labelled Seamaster/FAP labelled Flightmaster/normal one and the early trial period one . it is one of the nicest vintage models, omega ever made. enjoy yo...  

The curious thing is that most of these Railmaster / Seamaster from the PAF

 
 By: amanico : July 10th, 2014-06:01
Come with the same patina... Tough to get one of the 277 CK 2914 PAF... But not impossible! Best, Nicolas. PS: I would love to find a CK 2013 FAP, and a 2998 FAP, too. ;)

like this one?

 
 By: watch.out1 : July 10th, 2014-06:53
...  

ok,ok........

 
 By: watch.out1 : July 10th, 2014-07:00
incl. the old sales catalogue from the factory to the Peruvian military..............kind regards. achim ...  

Caramba! A beauty! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : July 10th, 2014-07:06

Fantastic line-up, Achim! :) [nt]

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : July 10th, 2014-13:04

congrats Jeff!

 
 By: MattS : July 8th, 2014-02:53
What a fantastic dial! I love these tropical beauties! Matt

Merci mon ami ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : July 9th, 2014-00:45

Congratulations Jeff, a real beauty !

 
 By: cisco : July 8th, 2014-03:19
A wonderufl reference with a lot of "strength" and you got yourself a stunning dial ! Superbe , enjoy François

Merci François [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : July 9th, 2014-00:46

Superb addition...

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : July 8th, 2014-07:39
....and i understand totally the need to have this one. Congrats Jeff

Bravo

 
 By: ztirual : July 8th, 2014-08:13
with its original radium. The naiad star on the crown is the cherry on the cake.

Thanks Z ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : July 9th, 2014-00:50

Huge congratulations for this one!

 
 By: MichaelC : July 8th, 2014-08:23
Looks to be in terrific condition. I really like the movement too. What a special piece!

Fantastic

 
 By: nacho217 : July 8th, 2014-09:59
Congratulations , really a grail piece , it is very nice and the dial simply superb Enjoy it

Wonderful addition to your stunning Omega collection, Jeff! :)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : July 8th, 2014-11:21
Congratulation! My 2914-1 welcomes yours! :) Related documents - Swedish catalog 1958, price 291 SEK. The specification in both documents states waterproof down to 60 m. Swedish catalog 1959, price 310 SEK. Price went up 6.5 % in one year... Fairly modest...  

Most days, I'm happy . . .

 
 By: Dr No : July 8th, 2014-11:27
. . . to be me. Today, I wish I were you! :-) Congrats, Jeff. Here's a movement image of one of my latest additions . . . . . . to welcome yours. A 30T2SC, a near relative of the cal 284, that's fitted to a ref 2179; currently at my watchmaker for restora...  

Stunning

 
 By: William M aka Mr.Lume : July 8th, 2014-11:29
Love me some

Thanks William [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : July 9th, 2014-01:06

Really nice!

 
 By: Tony C. : July 8th, 2014-13:44
Tons of character, as you note. Heart congratulations! Cheers, Tony C.

Stunning!

 
 By: FrancisV : July 8th, 2014-16:14
Congrats for such a splendid specimen, in my opinion the most desirable model Thank you for your great report, Kind regards

What a great timepiece Jeff! Definitevely a MUST in any...

 
 By: Subexplorer : July 12th, 2014-07:14
... serious Omega collection... or in any collection for that matter! Viewing yours makes me think again I badly need one on my wrist! Interesting dial of course! Congrats and enjoy so much in good health! Very cordially, Abel.

Thanks for the pictures and the education.

 
 By: mkvc : July 12th, 2014-23:50
I did not know the history. Great congratulations on a very exciting acquisition.

Excellent

 
 By: Sohailahmed_777 : July 27th, 2014-14:24
Wear it in good health , keep up the good work

Congratulations on finding this grail....

 
 By: DivingT : August 31st, 2014-22:36
...I seem to have missed its first posting (quite a few months ago). It does look very stunning with the patina - and of course the arrow hands give it a good sporting look (not too far away from todays PO?) All the best, Cheers Tony

Thanks Tony !

 
 By: DrStrong : September 1st, 2014-01:43
hopefully you will come to Marseille again and I can show you this watch !

Well, actually, right at the very end of this month....

 
 By: DivingT : September 1st, 2014-10:34
do you think you'll be around, and we can have dinner? I'll arrive Sunday 28th. So would be free the Sunday or Monday evening - (29th Sept) I'll bring my RN SM300 Cheers Tony