Denim Darling: Omega Updates the Railmaster to Honor its Utilitarian Past
In 2017, Omega celebrated the 60th anniversary of its iconic 1957 Trilogy with three limited-edition timepieces honoring the Speedmaster, the Seamaster 300, and the Railmaster. Due to the success of that launch, the Railmaster was once again added to the brand’s core collection. Last night, we received word that Omega was updating the long-underrated timepiece with a denim-inspired dressing that honors the watch’s history as an industrial companion.
First, some historical background on the Railmaster. Originally marketed towards scientists, technicians, and railroad workers (hence the name) that found themselves in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields on a daily basis, the watch served as a competitor to the Rolex Milgauss, released in 1956, and the IWC Ingenieur, in 1954. The original Railmaster distinguished itself with a magnetic resistance of 1,000 gauss through its copper-finished movement, double case, extra-thick dial, and iron dusting. However, the watch did not have as much success, or staying power, as its brand counterparts or competitors, and eventually ceased production in 1963. In recent years, the series has been revived in a number of short production runs, including last year’s introduction.
By giving the new Railmaster a vertically-brushed, “blue-jean” inspired dial and the option to pair it with a genuine denim strap, Omega is hoping to tap into the substantial audience of nostalgia-hungry people with a penchant...
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