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Post by carl on Dec 10, 2017 20:18:12 GMT -6
In spite of my perceived shortcomings of the direction Omega has been taking lately, there are still certain models I do admire. Especially the new Railmaster, which is finally up on the Omega website. And I don't mean the LE Trilogy Edtion model. While I am sure they have done a phenomenal job of reproducing the original (although I haven't seen one in real life), I find the entire design of the new model more appealing, especially the all brushed surfaces of the case and bracelet. I had many flippin' good years with Omega watches, and don't would really like to have one in my collection once more. Maybe this will be the one, I don't know. According to the Boutique, they will be receiving them soon. It really is about time, since they announced this model at Basel 2017 and the better part of an entire year has already gone by. FEATURES Anti-magnetic Chronometer Screw-in crown TECHNICAL DATA Bracelet: steel Between Lugs: 20 mm Case: Steel Case Diameter: 40 mm Dial colour: Black Crystal: Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides Caliber 8806 automatic anti-magnetic Water resistance: 15 bar (150 metres / 500 feet) While I don't in any way perceive the price as a bargain, I feel that 5 grand in USD is justified. I know many will disagree. I am looking forward to seeing it, however. It appeals to me with it's all brushed surfaces and beautiful caseback. At 12.65mm thick it's not bad, but Omega is not strong on it's coaxial models being less than thick. In spite of the movement contained within, I much prefer this case back and wish they would use similar on more Omega models: Looking forward to seeing it in real life and trying it on when it finally appears. Cheers, Carl
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 10, 2017 20:27:02 GMT -6
I saw it at the Basel release party at the boutique and it was pretty much the only one I liked. Looked great on the bracelet as well as the grey strap. Like you, I also was surprised by the relatively low/reasonable pricing. I’ll be interested to get your thoughts after you see it IRL.
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Post by carl on Dec 10, 2017 20:29:00 GMT -6
I saw it at the Basel release party at the boutique and it was pretty much the only one I liked. Looked great on the bracelet as well as the grey strap. Like you, I also was surprised by the relatively low/reasonable pricing. I’ll be interested to get your thoughts after you see it IRL. Did you get to try it on? I personally like the size of 40mm, but you might find it a bit on the small side?
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 10, 2017 20:40:27 GMT -6
Damn... It's good to know I'm not the only one. I've sworn off this brand numerous times but with limited Rolex options I seem to be back (for now). That same Planet Ocean seems to be all I want. There's something about Omega that keeps me coming back.
That Rail Master is such a nice watch! With a Rolex or two it seems logical to appreciate the options and variety a brand like Omega offers.
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 10, 2017 20:59:55 GMT -6
I saw it at the Basel release party at the boutique and it was pretty much the only one I liked. Looked great on the bracelet as well as the grey strap. Like you, I also was surprised by the relatively low/reasonable pricing. I’ll be interested to get your thoughts after you see it IRL. Did you get to try it on? I personally like the size of 40mm, but you might find it a bit on the small side? It did wear a little small but didn’t feel too small.
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Post by carl on Dec 10, 2017 21:22:03 GMT -6
Damn... It's good to know I'm not the only one. I've sworn off this brand numerous times but with limited Rolex options I seem to be back (for now). That same Planet Ocean seems to be all I want. There's something about Omega that keeps me coming back. That Rail Master is such a nice watch! With a Rolex or two it seems logical to appreciate the options and variety a brand like Omega offers. Yeah, I think it's unfair - and unwise - to dismiss the brand altogether. They do have a lot of innovative stuff, and also an amazing history. The Planet Ocean is still a great watch, I just think it's largeness, especially in thickness, is a bit much. But you are getting a watch that has a WR of 600m, so that says a lot as well. I have waited a long time, and asked many times, for thoughts on when and if Omega will bring the Railmaster back again. No regrets about selling mine a few years ago, and I certainly think this one is a lot more appealing. I am glad they finally introduced something a bit more basic, no date, and at a fairly reasonable price level comparatively speaking. For the longest time I have focused myself on gold watches, and indeed still look forward very much to owning one, but in the end I think this type of watch is really more in keeping with my lifestyle. I just kept flipping the Omegas I had, because I never really found a solid comfort level with any of them, after the newness wore off. Maybe this one will be different. And Basel 2018 is just a few months away again, so it doesn't hurt to wait and see what that will bring. I am especially intrigued to see what Rolex is going to do. Plenty of speculation on the forums on that, especially with the diver models!
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 10, 2017 21:33:45 GMT -6
Does this watch have a micro adjustment clasp? Your mention of the comfort level brings back memories for me, and not in the best of ways either. I've got small wrists and regardless, it's safe to say not everyone's wrist will be right for the link sized adjustments. This was an issue for me, especially during activities like swimming. The Seamaster 300 clasp does apparently have a similar system to that of the Submariner and the updated Planet Ocean does too.
It's a shame (yet understandable) we can't have these things properly fitted before buying sometimes. That watch you posted is very nice and I'm especially fond of the new case back design. Put lots of thought into this one and certainly keep an eye out for Basel releases in a few months as you've mentioned.
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Post by carl on Dec 10, 2017 21:44:26 GMT -6
Does this watch have a micro adjustment clasp? Your mention of the comfort level brings back memories for me, and not in the best of ways either. I've got small wrists and regardless, it's safe to say not everyone's wrist will be right for the link sized adjustments. This was an issue for me, especially during activities like swimming. The Seamaster 300 clasp does apparently have a similar system to that of the Submariner and the updated Planet Ocean does too. It's a shame (yet understandable) we can't have these things properly fitted before buying sometimes. That watch you posted is very nice and I'm especially fond of the new case back design. Put lots of thought into this one and certainly keep an eye out for Basel releases in a few months as you've mentioned. The clasp is actually a butterfly clasp, so no micro adjustments. There is an excellent video on Worn & Wound, which is about a half hour in length, and thoroughly goes over all aspects of the watch. There does appear to be half links, so that would be about the only way to adjust the bracelet. wornandwound.com/review/omega-seamaster-aqua-terra-railmaster-review/Pros and cons to the both butterfly and adjustable clasp. The adjustable tends to be quite large and thick, and the butterfly more seamless. I am fortunate, in that regardless of the bracelet, I seem to be able to adjust the ones I have only once, and they do me for all the variations in temperature/wrist expansion. The GS bracelets are not micro adjustable either, but I found them to be very comfortable. Even though both my Rolex OP34s have the three micro adjustments, and my Tudor, I have yet to adjust them.
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 10, 2017 22:01:20 GMT -6
Wow, that dial! I didn't watch the entire video yet but did skip through it to watch certain parts. The clasp system is nice but I'm likely to run into the same issue with something like that. For this type of watch it wouldn't really matter as much but for others it still would. I'm actually really impressed by this piece the way it looks in that video! Simply stunning and I completely understand why you're tempted by it.
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Post by carl on Dec 10, 2017 22:21:34 GMT -6
Wow, that dial! I didn't watch the entire video yet but did skip through it to watch certain parts. The clasp system is nice but I'm likely to run into the same issue with something like that. For this type of watch it wouldn't really matter as much but for others it still would. I'm actually really impressed by this piece the way it looks in that video! Simply stunning and I completely understand why you're tempted by it. The coated nylon fabric strap is a great look as well. As the guy in the video says, the leather or textile straps accentuate the lovely lugs and dial a bit more than the steel bracelet. I think it's one of those watches that would look amazing with a variety of straps. Even a nice leather with deployant clasp would work well.
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Post by carl on Dec 10, 2017 22:26:09 GMT -6
Well, just checked the MSRP. It's $6200CAD with steel bracelet. The dollar amounts used to be closer to the USD amounts, but I guess they got wise and now the prices are more in line with the exchange rate.
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 10, 2017 23:15:13 GMT -6
Yeah, they've changed a lot! I didn't realize this until checking them out recently for the watch I'm interested in. I'm going pre-owned for mine either this year (IF lucky) or next year, so that won't directly apply to me. We'll see how long this rekindled interest lasts for me though lol. This move seems logical on both ends though, I mean, there's hardly anything out there worth owning in my opinion (at this stage). Years ago it was easier to impulse buy or want to try something out but I've exhausted that and know you've also had your fair share of watches over the years too lol.
For me I'm looking for variety, something totally different (like an all in one piece) that'll compliment my GMT nicely and keep my happy, for the rest of my life (HA, one can hope though). The GMT is a keeper, the Explorer II would've been had it not been for the hollow links etc, needed an updated piece. These newer movements offering much more protection from magnetism is wonderful!
Trying them on when you can find them and taking wrist shots is key! Had it not been for the wrist shot I took years back I wouldn't know what to get next. You should do the same if you plan on visiting the boutique to have another look. My guess is you'll discover something else worthy of your consideration, especially possible after Basel!
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Post by carl on Dec 15, 2017 17:47:33 GMT -6
Dropped by the Omega Boutique today. It was great to be back there after quite a while. They actually have a LE Railmaster and LE Seamaster 300 in stock. So, I had to try on the Railmaster: Both of the models are beautifully crafted, and so true to the originals. The Railmaster is a model I have wished they would bring back for years, and had it been a few years ago, I likely would have jumped on it. But I just have a feeling that I will like the new Railmaster better. It just has - at least from the photos - something special about it which I don't see in the LE model. Perhaps it is just a bit more casual, or "cute" or maybe even "cartoonish" in a way the LE is not. I suppose my days of impulse are over. If I knew that I would like the LE model better, I would go for it. But to end up getting it then liking the new model better just does not make any sense to me. They both share the same movement, only the LE does have an adjustable bracelet clasp, where the new one is a butterfly clasp. As well as all the other aesthetic differences, of course. I do like that the LE model has a regular crown, apparently the new model is a screwed down crown. While the case back is solid on both, the LE is exactly like the original. The new one has a much nicer design and embossing to it. I think the LE would be suitable for just about any wrist. Even though it's case is just over 38mm, it felt more like a 40mm to me. That could also be because I was wearing my Rolex OP34, though. They are going to soon be getting the carnet (sample) model of the new one at the Boutique, as any they get for the first while are all pre-sold. Not a big deal. If I like the new one well enough, I can always order one or wait until they get one in. It is great to find a couple of Omega models that really interest me again, and I think a Railmaster would be a keeper for me (if you believe that, then you will believe anything ). Cheers, Carl
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 15, 2017 18:14:48 GMT -6
The Railmaster is one of the nicest in their current lineup IMHO - LE or not. Glad you got to see the LE in person Carl.
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 15, 2017 23:07:34 GMT -6
I'm glad to see you've pretty much decided the one you'll pursue from this brand. My choice is still the same so it seems to be sticking. It's great you got to see this one in person and take those helpful wrist shots.
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