G99
13685
its big and its bold, but i love it
i am of course talking about the Railmaster XXL. this is a watch that i have admired for a few years and wanted after trying it on a couple of years ago as i think it looks good on me though i dont have a huge wrist.
at 49.2mm diameter is it big, it sounds very big, but in reality it is only a few mm bigger than the Planet Ocean 45mm and other very likable watches. it is, however, pretty thin in comparison as it has a hand wind movement so the size is offset a little by its lack of depth.
the case is beautifully finished and is just a larger version of the 42mm Railmaster automatic. it has the same 150m WR as all Aqua Terra's do, but surprisingly, no screwdown crown. it has a pretty thin bezel so wears slightly larger that a dive watch with big bezel.
the dial is typical railmaster. deep black with superb lume, lovely bold hands and very little writing, just enough to tell you what you need to know. it has a small sub second dial in comparison to the rest of the dial, but it really just indicates that the watch is running.
the movement is hand wind with 17 jewels and is chronometer certified. i've heard tell that it is just a Unitas 6498 and looking at it i think that is probably correct. it lacks a hack second and strangely enough it lacks the swan neck micro regulater you often see on Unitas movements in higher end watches, but that will make it easier for me to regulate should i ever need too. the finish is nice with Geneva stripes.
it arrived on friday and went on the wrist straight out of the box. accuracy is so far -8 secs since then so -4 secs a day which is more than satisfactory.
the strap is a lovely shiny padded crocodile item 24mm at the lugs and dropping down to, i think 20mm at the deployment clasp. i took that off straight away and put it on a 24mm mid brown shell cordovan nato which i just happened to have on another watch. the railmaster is the sort of watch that suits a leather nato as i'm hardly likely to wear it with a suit and tie.
this model is now discontinued and you dont see many for sale on the used market so when i found this and had the spare cash i went for it. 5 years old, mint condition with boxes and all papers (plastic cards in the case of Omega).
some might think this a stupidly big watch, but i think that when you see the wrist shot you'll agree it is just a large watch.
enjoy the pics i took quickly on friday morning.
a size comparison with a vintage Submariner
my last watch purchase for a few months after a large influx of new pieces in the last couple of months. time to build up the funds again and get some other pieces on my radar.
Graham
its big and its bold, but i love it
i am of course talking about the Railmaster XXL. this is a watch that i have admired for a few years and wanted after trying it on a couple of years ago as i think it looks good on me though i dont have a huge wrist. at 49.2mm diameter is it big, it sound...
some pics with its original strap on
having put the original strap back on to take a few pics i'm finding it a bit more comfortable than the nato so it might well stay on for the forseeable future. G...
It's big and I like it.....
it may be big but it really works on you and I know you've liked it for a while so I'm pleased you finally got one I assume it's not a 64..!! Sweet piece, Moi.
it was you Andy who...
it was you Andy who gave me the guts to buy it. your a very critical guy when it comes to timepieces and you liked it and said it suited me. thats tantamount to an order from above since this afternoon wearing it on its original strap which is beautifully...
I'm glad you got it...
seeing your little face light up a couple of years ago in London when they got one out for you to try was a joy.....quality piece, looks great, suits you and I can imagine the look on your face right now looking at it..!! I imagine not a piece in it's pre...
i was like a kid...
i was like a kid in Hamley’s at xmas cant remember if that was for the XXL or the central tourbillon......or both.
you could get an RM035,...
you could get an RM035, but you could buy a nice watch (oops). you could go for an Angular Momentum tech cased piece with 48mm hexagonal bronze damaskeen case. very much an ‘obvious’ piece on your wrist
I need to start a thread on high end sports watches to see what there is....
i need some idea's to look into Moi.
well you dont want a...
well you dont want a tourbillon in your sports watch. thats just an excuse to charge more and pointless. its a good idea to start the thread, but you know what will happen, there will be 50 responses with 35 different watches all costing more than your ho...
Love the subdial on this one...
...just was too large for my skinny wrist. Loved that they used a pocket watch movement for this. I own its dwarf sibling. (39.2mm)...
you must know more than...
you must know more than me about the movement snak. is the movement an updated derivative of one of Omega’s older movements or are you classing the Unitas range as pocket watch movements ? i also have an auto, the 42mm. i’ve loved that watch since i saw i...
That movement was used in pocket watches...
I want to say that Omega did one using this. The movement is an Omega 2201 Chronometre grade, but based on a Unitas. They decorated and finished it much better. It's one of those "buyer beware" watches, though. Because it uses that Unitas movement, the re...
i thought it was an...
i thought it was an upgraded Unitas. good movements made better with a bit of fettling. this is one of those watches you need box and papers with. i had the chance of buying one with only a chronometer certificate, no other papers, but i left it well alon...
Size matters...
.... Lovely piece, that looks very good on your small? Wrist? Is your wrist that small? The XXL was on my wish list for a long time... Until I decided that I don't actually like wearing that big watches and don't like the look (on my wrist that is). I sol...
thanks Hans, my wrist...
thanks Hans, my wrist is 7.25-7.5 inches depending on weather etc so its not huge, but this watch seems to just work. its bigger than a radiomir, but i prefer it. i dont think i’ll be buying huge quantities of big watches, i’ve got the best so why buy any...
Conngrats!
You've found something of a unique piece that really works for you - enjoy! I'd like to hear more about the movement from anyone who might know. I expect a Unitas in a watch this size and at this price point, but it doesn't look like their typical offerin...
thanks Roger, Omega have...
thanks Roger, Omega have given it a calibre number to suit themselves, but i believe it may well be a modified unitas. that doesnt matter to me, if panerai can use them in expensive watches then no reason why Omega shouldnt use a chronometer certified ver...
Looks good on you.
I prefer the band it came on to the one you switched it to initially. Have fun G
thanks Ginger, its back...
thanks Ginger, its back on the original and on it to stay as it fits the wrist much better and as you say, it looks better. best G
You can pull this huge piece off fine. Congratulations on this future rare collectible.
I contemplated it a few times in 2004 and 2005 when I was going to buy my Panerai Luminor 176. I found the movement on this Railmaster to be significantly more well finished. Plus it would have contributed to the expansion of my small Omega collection. Bu...
thanks Ruckdee, you should...
thanks Ruckdee, you should have gone for it. it wears much more comfortably than any Pam i’ve tried and its only a few mm bigger. i dont know how many they made, but you rarely see them on the used market which indicates that they may be a future collecti...
Congratulations, my friend. Railmaster is a name which magically sounds to my ears.
More attracted by the Vintage, but the modern has an awesome allure. Best, and take a rest... The GMT is waiting for you. Nicolas This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-06-10 23:41:05...
thanks Nicolas, i’ve got...
thanks Nicolas, i’ve got to rest and build up funds for a few months. after that it will be back to the 64 theme. lovely Zenith auto on the radar, but then the radar is empty so perhaps it will be a gmt later in the year. best G
The problem is that when the radar is empty...
The wallet is empty, too... Lao Tseu. Best, Nicolas
better to have an empty...
better to have an empty radar when the wallet is empty than to have a full radar and empty wallet
Nice one G!
Well it is no surprise that as a fellow XXL owner I should applaud your choice but as they are "an acquired taste" due to the extreme size it is nice share in a little solidarity. I second everything you have said about finish, quality and styling. I just...
thanks for the in depth...
thanks for the in depth response Zac, i think some aftermarket straps will fit it nicely, but the leather nato just didnt look right. the taper is quite a lot, but it appears they use the same clasp as the 42mm railmaster which has a 21-18 strap. it makes...
Congrats !
... again .. ... 49,2 mm is huge my friend, but it goes perfect on your wrist (albeit with the original strap). Do you still have your small Railmaster? Can't wait too long for a visit my friend as you acquired quite some nice pieces these last months ......
thanks my belgian lover, ...
thanks my belgian lover, your quite right, the nato is all wrong for it. the original is tops. there may be others that suit it, but it will be a difficult decision to make. you know you can visit anytime you like my friend. as for me visiting you, i need...
That's big but nice ...
I'm not a NATO straps particular fan. What about a nice Shell Cordovan on it? Cheers, Nilo
thats a thought Nilo, ...
thats a thought Nilo, i’ve spent the morning looking for 24mm straps that might suit it. i’d like to find something good as i dont want to wear out the original strap. i have this thing about keeping OEM straps in good condition, the problem is i like the...
he he. thanks for that....
he he. thanks for that. i’m a real omega fan (look back through the posts) and just love this look and size. with regard to your speedy. i really think you should have sent it back as there are 1000’s out there in perfect condition unless you got it very ...
I love it more . . .
. . . but my puny wrist can't support one! :-( Like Ruckdee, I've tried one on a number of times, including both the white and red gold versions, but to no avail. My shirts might be XXL, but my wrist is M at best. ;-) Good work, Graham - I'm so happy for ...
thanks Art, why do...
thanks Art, why do all watch collectors have puny wrists ? it seems a lot of people love the watch, but have wrists too thin to wear it. that does mean the design is spot on which pleases me no end. best G
I love it....
But even tough i have 22 cm wrist i would try to find it a number smaller. But it is not often for sale. It is on my "would like to have" list. Congrats Best Thomas
yep Thomas, you dont often...
yep Thomas, you dont often see them for sale in the used market, but with the way they hold their value you might as well try to find a new one before they all run out. best G
Nice one, G...
Congrats on a rare big and nice watch around. I find this Railmaster XXL much better than the current AquaTerra version. I find that its a good effort for them to blow up the movement as well. I foresee this to possibly be a collectible in far future. I r...
thanks Jacky and a bit...
thanks Jacky and a bit of me hopes it will become a future collectible i’m surprised you cant wear it as you love your Panerai’s and its only 2mm bigger. it just sounds really big. best Graham
Somewhat different....
Hi G, First, I think you have mistakenly thought I am someone else? I am not so much into Pams but I was very passionate bout BR-01 at one poin. However, that extra 3mm of the Railmaster does make a big difference when I put it on. Perhaps its the round c...
ahh Jacky, it was the...
ahh Jacky, it was the B&R 46mm i was thinking about, but confused myself by thinking personally i’ve found the B&R’s harder to wear as the watch is square so 46mm all round. i know a round watch is the same, but it also isnt if you know what i mean. best ...
Lovely piece Graham,
As for the lack of screw-down crown - I think it is better without. I had a vintage Rolex Oysterdate with a manual movement and I found it a right pain to remember to unscrew the crown every morning before I wound it up. I think screw-down crowns work bet...
thanks Andrew, its a...
thanks Andrew, its a great piece and i havent taken it off since it arrived. i’m having to wear other pieces on my right wrist to keep the rotation going. i fully agree about the screwdown (or not) on this piece, but what is interesting is that it still h...
Congrats on
the watch glad you like it had seen it a couple of years ago but found it just too big for my wrist although was sorely tempted---some things are not to be enjoy best henry
thanks Henry, i thought...
thanks Henry, i thought the same when it first came out, but i was very surprised when i tried it on in the London boutique. even Andy who is fairly conservative said it suited me perfectly. i’ve been wearing it since i got it and you forget its there. th...