Omega Railmaster Alternatives

[ctr]

I'll admit it, I'm infatuated with the Omega Railmaster midsize. The price I'm less enthusiastic about. Local jewelers have quoted around $2300.

Would you recommend a good alternative to the Omega Railmaster midsize? The requirements: stainless case; black dial; brown leather strap; automatic movement. Your recommendations please?

 

[petr]

I love those also.

TAG carrera auto would be on my short list.

 

[dklaiman]

Check out Hamilton and Longines on line. Both companies have somewhat similar offerings in their Jazzmaster and Heritage collecitons, respectively, at substantially lower prices. If you're not in a hurry, you should also check out the sales corner on www.timezone.com

-Dave

 

[Legion]

I love the look of the railmaster. I've been coveting one ever since I saw one in a jewellery shop about five years ago. Save up and get it!


Then post pictures so I can live vicariously through you.

 

[dklaiman]

I don't know if this one is still available:


http://forums.timezone.com/index.php?t=tree&goto=5273522&rid=0

 

[Thebigspendur]

If you like it so much then save for it and buy it or buy used. If you get something else you will always be comparing what you got to what you really wanted and it will come up short and you will regret not having gotten the Omega.

 

[DS/B MCS]

If you like it so much then save for it and buy it or buy used.

+1

The most expensive watch you will ever buy...is the one you buy in place of the one you really want.

 

[goby]

If you like it so much then save for it and buy it or buy used. If you get something else you will always be comparing what you got to what you really wanted and it will come up short and you will regret not having gotten the Omega.

+1 I saved for my stainless steel Rolex, and haven't bought another watch since (except cheap casio watches for backpacking).

The $1200 I spent in 1993 is pretty minimal averaged over 17 years.

 

[MichaelG]

A "poor man's" version of a Railmaster is a tough one. I don't think it exists. The Omega has a lot of elements that make it unique. It has really cool bombe lugs - that are very distinctly Omega. Plus it has a unique movement - a co-axial escapement movement not found in other brands. Its fit and finish is also excellent.

It's an updated version of the Railmaster watch Omega sold in the late 1950s.

I think a lot of the elements you find attractive about it are not likely to be found in another watch. If you really like it and it's within your budget, I'd say get it if you really want it. It's a watch that will last a lifetime and has very classic styling that should age well.

There are lots of similar-ish watches out there - pilot style watches or dressy watches with leather straps but nothing close comes to mind.

I'll admit it, I'm infatuated with the Omega Railmaster midsize. The price I'm less enthusiastic about. Local jewelers have quoted around $2300.

Would you recommend a good alternative to the Omega Railmaster midsize? The requirements: stainless case; black dial; brown leather strap; automatic movement. Your recommendations please?

 

[Xman74]

I was gunning for a Speedmaster forEVER... But then my eye caught sight of the Railmaster Chronograph and BAM! Love at first sight. The beauty has been strapped to my wrist for the last year and a half and I love looking at it every day.

Save up for it. You won't regret it.

 

[Yerny]

I have been eyeing the Omega 300M GMT (http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/seamaster/300-m-gmt/25358000), with the Omega Railmaster a very close 2nd. I do like the XXL as well, but need to see them on my wrist to make a decision. I also want a steel band - but leather might be better to save my arm hair. I do want a GMT complication, but don't really want a diver. For a non-diver GMT, I've been looking at the Tag Carrera Twin Time (http://www.timezone.com/library/news/news631931961772187500), but I want a black face with blue arrow GMT hand, the blue arrow only comes on the white face version.

I'll probably go with an Omega when I get back stateside next summer. This will be my present from my wife for making Major (should pin Aug '11).

 

[spindlecone]

I was gunning for a Speedmaster forEVER... But then my eye caught sight of the Railmaster Chronograph and BAM! Love at first sight. The beauty has been strapped to my wrist for the last year and a half and I love looking at it every day.

Save up for it. You won't regret it.

Nothing like a speedmaster with a 321 movement, was a sad day when Omega stopped making there own movements

 

[ctr]

Thanks for the relies fellas. I'm still considering.

I love my Omega Seamaster Midsize Automatic. I saw the Railmaster for the first time several years ago. I wonder how long I will have to sleep in the car before my wife lets me back in the house if I buy one?

 

[pz93c]

Nothing like a speedmaster with a 321 movement, was a sad day when Omega stopped making there own movements

True. Good thing they're back.

The Railmaster has always struck me as a poor man's Explorer. Love the Aqua Terra, though. Need me a date feature.

 

[spindlecone]

True. Good thing they're back.

The Railmaster has always struck me as a poor man's Explorer. Love the Aqua Terra, though. Need me a date feature.

They never went away, have not made omega movements in 30 yrs, are made by ETA (swatch)
Omega is a marketing name only, today

 

[pz93c]

The new 8500 is a dang near, in-house, Omega caliber. At least as in-house as it gets nowadays.

But I buy vintage, back when Omega calibers were three digit.

You want true in-house, buy Seiko.

 

[furious1]

+1 on just saving up for it. If you buy something else, every time you look at your wrist, it will be unsatisfying. Look for one slightly used one TZ perhaps.

I don't think you'll regret the purchase, I went from Breitling to Rolex before finally getting an Omega several years ago and I have never looked back.

 

[Bill Smith]

An alternative for the Railmaster could be the Sinn 656, very clean dial, antimagnetic which is a really nice and comes in a tick over a grand US. Only thing, it comes with either a black leather strap or steel bracelet, easy enough to change.
http://www.watchbuys.com/store/pc/Sinn-656-on-Strap-18p302.htm

 

[Sal]

I know you said you wanted automatic, but here is a $60 quartz that looks a lot like the Omega.

 

[binowatch]

I second patience and multiple checks of Timezone sales forum daily. Get the watch you want. I have wasted more money than I like to think about buy getting "a substitute for ...." In the long run I always regretted it and wound up finally getting the real thing. It has resulted in a number very nice gifts for relatives and friends and a number of others that rest unused and unloved awaiting their gifting to a new home.