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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 1:24:18 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. I'm actually kind of upset that I don't like this LE more than I do. I should be loving it!! For years, I was asking the guys at the Omega Boutique if they had heard of the Railmaster being re-introduced, in one form or another. Never dreaming that they would actually do an almost perfect reissue of a vintage 50s model! It was the stuff that one dreams about, to see a reincarnation of a beautiful vintage model. Now that it's here, and actually something I visualized and never dreamed would happen, I find that I think the new model will be more appealing! At one time I even thought that if I had such a watch, it would be "The One". Now it has appeared, and in an affordable form, I try it on, and have a kind of take-it-or-leave-it reaction! Wearing my Rolex OP34 today, I put it back on my wrist and left the Boutique without any remorse whatsoever. WTF!! I had a wonderful dinner tonight with one of my best friends, and we talked about everything, and I had lots of drinks and wine, and never gave the watch a second thought. Perhaps the thought of the Patek Philippe I am getting in a few short months has clouded my appreciation of all other watches? Anyway, I am quite happy to accept the course of events unfolding in my corner of the world just now, and I am actually very happy with my small collection at the moment. The Tudor BB36 still being my most worn. Cheers, Carl
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Baco Noir
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 16, 2017 8:44:08 GMT -6
Carl - I think you are onto something with that last insight. But it’s not just the Patek, it’s the OP34 too, and your other pieces. You’ve reached the point where you have narrowed down the collection to things that really excite you and that feel special on an emotional level. Everything going forward will have to meet that or just be a frugal splurge for fun, or at least that’s kind of what’s happened for me and I think to some extent to @adminn.
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 16, 2017 11:02:45 GMT -6
carl It's officially been proven. There's nowhere to go from an Audemars Piguet or especially a Patek Philippe piece. I guess it's why people are typically encouraged to start from the bottom and work their way up, regardless to how much money they've got (if they're actually passionate about watches). In my early days it was easy to be tempted by the unknown. I've been fortunate enough to experience watches from the main / only brands I like. The further up it goes, the more limited options become. For me the Planet Ocean although huge temps me because I can't see myself owning a DSSD or anything like that. ProProf especially, it's too over the top in that particular case especially. It actually fit me better than I thought but as you know I'm a water sports fanatic and love the over-engineering of these types of watches. Always liked Chronograph, wanted a ceramic bezel for no scratching or fading over time, and a sapphire case back to admire a movement! It checks all boxes and gives me the total opposite of my versatile grail. From there it would be all about Gold maybe, who knows. With that Patek on the way, even if you got this I can assure you it wouldn't be though of or appreciated the same! That's a good sign to stay away if you continue feeling this way, especially after taking delivery on the Patek! I'm finding this obsession can be both a blessing and a curse. This hobby changed my life, literally. It helped me make some great friends, network, learn a lot about business and fiance in a way you just can't in any classroom (through networking), and it keeps me motivated. Even after getting my daily use grail piece I was focused on what next. Not in an unappreciative way, but because having goals and dreams always seem to make life more interesting for me. I think that for you, with the collection you've got and the watch on the way it's even harder to truly want anything else enough to actually end up buying it!
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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 11:11:14 GMT -6
carl It's officially been proven. There's nowhere to go from an Audemars Piguet or especially a Patek Philippe piece. I guess it's why people are typically encouraged to start from the bottom and work their way up, regardless to how much money they've got (if they're actually passionate about watches). In my early days it was easy to be tempted by the unknown. I've been fortunate enough to experience watches from the main / only brands I like. The further up it goes, the more limited options become. For me the Planet Ocean although huge temps me because I can't see myself owning a DSSD or anything like that. ProProf especially, it's too over the top in that particular case especially. It actually fit me better than I thought but as you know I'm a water sports fanatic and love the over-engineering of these types of watches. Always liked Chronograph, wanted a ceramic bezel for no scratching or fading over time, and a sapphire case back to admire a movement! It checks all boxes and gives me the total opposite of my versatile grail. From there it would be all about Gold maybe, who knows. With that Patek on the way, even if you got this I can assure you it wouldn't be though of or appreciated the same! That's a good sign to stay away if you continue feeling this way, especially after taking delivery on the Patek! I'm finding this obsession can be both a blessing and a curse. This hobby changed my life, literally. It helped me make some great friends, network, learn a lot about business and fiance in a way you just can't in any classroom (through networking), and it keeps me motivated. Even after getting my daily use grail piece I was focused on what next. Not in an unappreciative way, but because having goals and dreams always seem to make life more interesting for me. I think that for you, with the collection you've got and the watch on the way it's even harder to truly want anything else enough to actually end up buying it! Yeah, this whole watch hobby has really changed my life, too. And actually got me through some stressful times, being able to get lost in the forums after a bad day at work. Things like that. And I find myself, in the morning, going first to the watch forums instead of the news. Sometimes I spend so much time on the watch forums before work that I don't even get time to listen to, or read, the news. In spite of my previous thoughts, I am going back to the Omega Boutique today to have another look at that LE Railmaster. And also a friend who I went for dinner with surprisingly announced that he is interested in a new Aqua Terra! A blue 41mm model. So I asked to accompany him. I think I will spend a bit more time catching up on some of the newer Omega models. Especially looking at the Planet Ocean. I noticed a number of Aqua Terra models yesterday. Initially, I didn't really like them much from the photos online, but a few of them really do look great in real life.
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 16, 2017 11:39:30 GMT -6
Sounds like a great plan for today, Carl! The news is often too depressing for me, I only read business news (often related to most stories anyway) and TMZ which shockingly has a lot of interesting content related to business, law, public relations, etc. Less is more, and as much as I want and know I'll eventually get a Submariner, it seems like a boring choice. It's virtually the exact same watch as the GMT and given how limited choices are for my collection I want an all in one type watch. Also, because it seems much less desirable in comparison to many Rolex sport models it's relatively easy for me to source online when I'm ready!
Take some wrist shots if you try anything else on! As much as I hated to admit it before, Omega has it's place in most collections. They've got a unique approach that can be very refreshing. At least you seem to know which one you want already!
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Post by muckymark on Dec 16, 2017 11:41:13 GMT -6
carl. I like the dial of the LE over the regular edition but prefer the hands of the regular edition. It could be my eyesight or my iPad, but the lume appears to be more orange than tan. How does it look IRL? BTW not saying nothing about nothing but if you see one of these can you snap a picture or two?
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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 12:28:02 GMT -6
carl . I like the dial of the LE over the regular edition but prefer the hands of the regular edition. It could be my eyesight or my iPad, but the lume appears to be more orange than tan. How does it look IRL? BTW not saying nothing about nothing but if you see one of these can you snap a picture or two? The lume is actually more tan on both. I will take my camera, and if I see one of these will take a shot or two. These AT models with the horizontal striping really look fantastic in real life. So much better as well now that the date is a 6 instead of 3.
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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 21:47:01 GMT -6
Well, I had quite an afternoon! I spent about 3 hours at the Omega Boutique...just like old times! I must admit, after all of my rather negative comments of late, Omega has done a fantastic job on a number of their models. My biggest surprise is how much I like the new Aqua Terra models, especially ".....the dial is distinguished by a horizontal “teak” pattern which is inspired by the wooden decks of luxury sailboats." The dials are gorgeous. Here are some shots I took of the model that Mark likes, 41mm with the silver dial, or possibly more opaline white. This one really is an attention grabber. Shots I took in random order, they have both models, one on the tan leather strap and one on the steel bracelet. I was surprised the bracelet has the butterfly clasp and not the adjustable, but that is the AT style. The one I took photos of is with the leather strap: I must say that even though the adjustable clasp is a great feature, I much prefer the more seamless fit of the butterfly clasp.
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 16, 2017 22:05:51 GMT -6
I tried that one on at the Boutique here as well, and its awesome! The only thing that held me back was it’s too similar in coloration to my polar Exp II. IIRC, it has the jump hour hand for changing time across time zones without stopping the second hand too. Great looking watch.
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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 22:24:01 GMT -6
Next in line at the Boutique was the new Planet Ocean. A beautifully crafted watch, and makes no apologies for being large and thick. It is the dynamic of the watch, and that's what you get: I always found the PO bracelet to be extremely comfortable, and now it comes with an adjustable clasp as well:
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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 22:45:14 GMT -6
So, I had gone back to the Omega Boutique to take another look at the LE Railmaster. When I arrived, they told me that they just received the carnet (sample) models of the new Railmaster. Needless to say, I was very excited. It really is a beautiful watch, and I love the brushed finishes. And, as Mark had said, he thought the markers were quite orange rather than tan, and turned out he is correct. Apparently that will be fixed on the real models when they show up: The silver dial model was on steel bracelet: This is exactly what I wanted to see, comparison between the Railmaster LE and the new Railmaster, side-by-side: With my BB36: I had to take a couple more wrist shots of the LE Railmaster, as that is the reason I went back in the first place: I was very keen to see these two side-by-side. And I thought that I would definitely like the new Railmaster more than the LE. They are both beautiful. Two of Omega's finest IMO. In the end, to my surprise, I think the LE will win. I really like the fact it has a non screw down crown, and the bracelet is probably the nicest Omega steel bracelet I have seen yet. Beautifully crafted and fitted at the end links. It even has the new adjustable clasp, which is a surprise to me, as I thought it would have the butterfly clasp like the regular model. After seeing this LE Railmaster again, and really taking a close look, my feeling is that no other watch manufacturer has anything that compares to this. I imagine this holds true for the three Trilogy models. They do have a Seamaster 300 which is also gorgeous, and the Speedmaster is sold out. Omega has really done an amazing job on these models. The Railmaster LE tops anything I have ever seen from Omega. I thought that the LE model fits my wrist better also. I think the thickness is about the same for both, as they share the same movement. The LE model has a more pronounced domed crystal. It was great to be back at the Boutique again. I said to the guys that this time, however, the watch that I pick must be a model I intend to keep. I would really be happy with either model, but for me the LE does have the edge. I am going back next Friday to take another look at both of them - if the LE is still there - and make a decision. I badly want to have an Omega in my collection, and it has to be a Railmaster, and has to be one that I am sure I will keep.
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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 22:49:26 GMT -6
Forgot to mention that the LE Railmaster is actually the bigger of the two, measuring lug-to-lug. There also seems to be very little difference in case size on the wrist, the LE being 38mm and the new model is 40mm.
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Post by Baco Noir on Dec 16, 2017 22:53:11 GMT -6
Great that you got to see them side by side. The grey dial Railmaster lacked contrast to me and was not a favorite of mine. I think I liked the brushed finish on the non-LE version better for the black dials. The hands and dial on the LE model are better though.
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Post by carl on Dec 16, 2017 23:12:07 GMT -6
Great that you got to see them side by side. The grey dial Railmaster lacked contrast to me and was not a favorite of mine. I think I liked the brushed finish on the non-LE version better for the black dials. The hands and dial on the LE model are better though. The grey dial honestly looks better in real life. But not my favorite of the two. I have never given Omega such credit as I have on both these models. In any configuration. While I have, as we all know, had many Omega watches over time, these are the first models that I have felt will really - either one - suit me well for the long term. I honestly thought that the non-LE would win me over hands-down. I am really finding this part of the adventure very exciting!
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Post by rw16610 on Dec 16, 2017 23:33:14 GMT -6
Wow, now that was quite the visit! Nice that you got to look at all of those! They've got some good things going for them right now it seems and seeing that Planet Ocean (although non-chrono) makes me more sure. Seems as if they've finally upgraded the clasp on it? Proper micro adjustments like the Submariner? That limited edition dial is something else really! Actually blown away by every one of those.
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