Why This Watch Matters Find a better Railmaster, we'll wait. The Full Story The Railmaster is often the forgotten Omega from 1957. Launched alongside the Speedmaster and Seamaster 300, this simple, manually-wound, time-only, wristwatch is often referred to as Omega's Explorer. Maybe that billing is fair in terms of how we look back with hindsight, however, Omega's go-everywhere, do-anything wristwatch is truly incomparable on the wrist and in the metal. At launch, the Railmaster tackled one of watchmaking's greatest adversaries better than nearly any other watch in the world – magnetic fields. For a brand set a motto for itself of "exact time for life" the accuracy issues thanks to magnetism had to be dealt with in the most serious way. The first Railmaster, the ref. 2914-1, used a soft iron inner case as a Faraday Cage and a thicker dial to shield the movement from outside magnetic fields of strengths up to 1,000 Gauss. From that starting point, Omega integrated a focus on anti-magnetism until this day and has made sure to extend it far beyond the Railmaster collection over the decades. With a movement serial number dating to 1956-57, this 2914-1 is simply the one to have. Take a look at the "Trilogy Collection" 60th Anniversary Limited Edition, this is the quintessential Railmaster. Collectors go crazy for the earliest examples of the watch world's most iconic models, not even mentioning the condition here. The 38mm diameter case (take that Explorer) is in nearly unpolished condition and the correctly recessed-into-the-dial lume plots match well with the hand lume in a creamy pumpkin tone. The movement has just received a full service. We paired this OG Railmaster with our Aged Grey strap so as to not take much attention away from the watch itself, as if that is a real concern here. According to Omega's archives, this watch was produced on September 23, 1957 and delivered to Sweden on October 7, 1957. The Fine Print Maker: OmegaModel: RailmasterReference: 2914-1Year: 1957Case No: N/AMovement No: 15374695Material: Stainless steelDimensions: 38mm diameter; 13.5mm thicknessCrystal: PlexiglassLume: Yes, radiumCaliber: Omega, manually-wound, caliber 284Bracelet/Strap: HODINKEE Aged Grey Leather Watch StrapLug Width: 19mmBox/Papers: No What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - Stunning dial and hands- Nearly unpolished case- 2914-1 reference number and 1957 serial number- Recently serviced Things To Know: - Scratches on case- Service replacement correct crystal and crown This Railmaster is in overall excellent, honest condition. The case is strong with some scratches. The case is nearly unpolished in our view, presenting as very thick and strong. The back of the lugs have some scratches from strap changes. There is a watchmaker's mark on the rear of the 11 o'clock lug and a few scratches on the caseback. The dial is in overall stunning condition. The tone is even with a few specks spread throughout. The lume on the dial is correctly recessed into the dial has aged to a creamy pumpkin color. The lume on the hands has aged to a matching tone and reacts the same as that of the dial lume under UV leading us to believe the lume and the hands are original to the watch. The hands themselves have developed a light patina. According to Omega's archives, this watch was produced on September 23, 1957 and delivered to Sweden on October 7, 1957. The crystal and crown are recent service replacements and are correct for the reference. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
