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Omega Aqua Terra Railmaster 36mm 2504.52

ollipekka
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Finally got my hands on this last week. I wrote a blog post that may interest those who are searching for one. I have documented most of the examples I've seen during this time and their serials and prices:
https://ghostofgeraldgenta.com/2021/08/10/omega-aqua-terra-railmaster-2504-52/

I appreciate any corrections to the blog post.

Summary:
- Search took 18 months.
- Mine came from Yahoo Auctions Japan.
- Mine has 2403b movement and I doubt there are 2403a in the 36mm size, until I've seen one.
- I got a comfortable fit with the bracelet, but the omega symbol on the clasp won't be centered. This doesn't really bother me.
- I paid 2900€ for a serviced watch with duty and VAT paid.
- I plan on getting a Fostner flat link as an alternative at some point.
- My wrist is 16,5cm-17cm
- I plan on getting the Omega 16mm deployant (or is it deployment?) clasp and order a padded dark green canvas from a premium custom strap manufacturer.

upload_2021-8-14_16-36-1.jpeg


At the moment I prefer it on the nato strap. It is really a perfect watch in every single way. I plan on putting together a poor man's trilogy set with cal 2500 PO, 2504.52 and 3861 Speedmaster at some point

What's your favourite strap?
 
padders
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You may or may not be aware that the 2403 movement revisions don’t directly correspond to those of the parent 2500. By which I mean that the 2403a is at a similar level of development to the 2500b and the 2403b on a par with the 2500c, I don't think there was a direct 2403 analogy with the 2500d. I have found the 2403b and for that matter 2500c to be completely reliable in my care, I had a 39mm RM a while back and indeed a 2500 PO so I did exactly that trilogy you suggest above.

To answer your question, always deployant, never deployment!
Edited:
 
Saber333
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Great write up and congrats on the find!
I’ve been casually keeping my eye out for a 36mm for a few years, but never at the right time apparently. Now I’m going to have to start searching some Japanese auctions!
 
hen
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That is one beautiful watch! It looks cool on that strap, but Ill bet it will look good on a leather or rubber too. I got a fake deployant rubber strap on my 2254 and the "endlinks" makes it very comfortable. I am switching the clasp over to my other leather and rubber straps and its great for me who is used to bracelets. Straps are just too fiddly without a deployment clasp IMO. So go for it, get a deployment strap.
 
thelinendial
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Thanks for sharing and your article linked was a great read! Now I think I need to start looking for one.
 
ollipekka
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Thoughts after nearly four months of ownership:
- The watch is stuck on a dark green 18mm phoenix nato.
- I have bought the 16mm deployant, but I haven't yet put it on a strap. (seeking recommendations!)
- It is a great grab-and-go watch since no need to set the date.
- It shares wrist time with my cal 2500 PO quite evenly.
upload_2021-12-11_20-59-34.png
 
Barnaby'sDad
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Very nice. Your blog post…. I appreciate you putting all of that information in one place.

What are your thoughts on the condition of these watches on the Japanese market? I’d like a 2503.52 (39mm) at some point. Most look to be in good condition, but there’s no mention of the how they’re running (in most cases). The only watches that I’m seeing with timing listed are WAY out of spec. I.e. -70 sec/day.

Is the assumption that if you’re buying one of these (10+ year old watch with no service history provided) that you’ll likely need to send it right off to get serviced? Also wondering if you may have comes across one vendor or another that services them prior to sale that I might have missed. I’m mostly looking on Chrono24. Thank you.
Edited:
 
Sicario Wombat
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ollipekka ollipekka
Thoughts after nearly four months of ownership:
- The watch is stuck on a dark green 18mm phoenix nato.
- I have bought the 16mm deployant, but I haven't yet put it on a strap. (seeking recommendations!)
- It is a great grab-and-go watch since no need to set the date.
- It shares wrist time with my cal 2500 PO quite evenly.
upload_2021-12-11_20-59-34.png

A lovely alternative to the Rolex Explorer… the 36mm are pretty hard to find! I regret getting rid of my one last year 🙁
018b.JPG
 
dmtowl
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Dang, id absolutely love one of these references. Have been on the search for a year or so and have seen nothing.. wish they were more common. Sizing is perfect for me.
 
ollipekka
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Barnaby'sDad Barnaby'sDad
Very nice. Your blog post…. I appreciate you putting all of that information in one place.

What are your thoughts on the condition of these watches on the Japanese market? I’d like a 2503.52 (39mm) at some point. Most look to be in good condition, but there’s no mention of the how they’re running (in most cases). The only watches that I’m seeing with timing listed are WAY out of spec. I.e. -70 sec/day.

Is the assumption that if you’re buying one of these (10+ year old watch with no service history provided) that you’ll likely need to send it right off to get serviced? Also wondering if you may have comes across one vendor or another that services them prior to sale that I might have missed. I’m mostly looking on Chrono24. Thank you.

I think the biggest issue buying this watch from Japan is the same as buying it anywhere online. The issue comes down to the sharpness of the case. It is super hard to judge from the pictures if the case is sharp or soft and the case doesn't take polishing wheel well at all. Otherwise, Japanese are quite forward about the condition.

The second issue is the rarity. I have collected some serials and price information into the blog post and as you can see they are quite rare. Even more so, when the price is reasonable. This means that it may be the only option to buy when they're available and have it serviced. In my eyes it is a win / win, if you manage to find an unmolested watch.
 
Barnaby'sDad
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ollipekka ollipekka
I think the biggest issue buying this watch from Japan is the same as buying it anywhere online. The issue comes down to the sharpness of the case. It is super hard to judge from the pictures if the case is sharp or soft and the case doesn't take polishing wheel well at all. Otherwise, Japanese are quite forward about the condition.

The second issue is the rarity. I have collected some serials and price information into the blog post and as you can see they are quite rare. Even more so, when the price is reasonable. This means that it may be the only option to buy when they're available and have it serviced. In my eyes it is a win / win, if you manage to find an unmolested watch.

That’s one thing that I was thinking. If anything…it seems like they’re underrating the condition (I.e. listing as ‘Good’, but it looks ‘Very Good’), whereas it can be a bit hit or miss domestically (for the US). Most of them look good, but there’s no telling what’s going on with the movement.

Yes, that’s really the only reason that I am entertaining buying one from overseas (would have to deal with associated fees). I only see one for sale domestically. There’s ~10 of them available in Japan.
 
thelinendial
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Barnaby'sDad Barnaby'sDad
That’s one thing that I was thinking. If anything…it seems like they’re underrating the condition (I.e. listing as ‘Good’, but it looks ‘Very Good’), whereas it can be a bit hit or miss domestically (for the US). Most of them look good, but there’s no telling what’s going on with the movement.

Yes, that’s really the only reason that I am entertaining buying one from overseas (would have to deal with associated fees). I only see one for sale domestically. There’s ~10 of them available in Japan.

I thought about buying from Japan before (I’m in Canada).

In my readings a year back, Japanese culture values honesty and fairness so they will volunteer any minor marks. But on the flip-side they like things being nice and clean so do tend to polish their watches.
 
mario24601
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Anyone have leads on where to find one? What place do you see them for sale from Japan? Thanks
 
Jockywilson1
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I have the 39mm which at times I think looks too big, think the 36mm would be perfect. Didn’t even know it existed, must have been a very limited production run / Asia only?
 
padders
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Jockywilson1 Jockywilson1
I have the 39mm which at times I think looks too big, think the 36mm would be perfect. Didn’t even know it existed, must have been a very limited production run / Asia only?
There were actually 4 sizes, 36mm, 39mm, 41mm (too big) and 49mm (stupidly too big using a repurposed pocket watch movement)
 
Jockywilson1
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When I bought mine, around 18 months ago I saw lots of 41’s some of the XXL 49’s and a few 39’s. For a face only watch 39 is as big as I’d ever go but didn’t realise 36mm was an option. Think that size would be perfect. Looks great in the pictures above. Love the painted lume , has a vintage vibe without the faux patina that has become so popular.
 
D
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Jockywilson1 Jockywilson1
I have the 39mm which at times I think looks too big, think the 36mm would be perfect. Didn’t even know it existed, must have been a very limited production run / Asia only?

Generally available and regular production.
Not region specific, one only need order it through the dealer with availability within a week.
 
D
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Jockywilson1 Jockywilson1
When I bought mine, around 18 months ago I saw lots of 41’s some of the XXL 49’s and a few 39’s. For a face only watch 39 is as big as I’d ever go but didn’t realise 36mm was an option. Think that size would be perfect. Looks great in the pictures above. Love the painted lume , has a vintage vibe without the faux patina that has become so popular.

Agreed👍
More or less the equivalent to the Explorer at the time but a little too small for my wrist so I opted for the 39 which worked out really great for what I wanted it for.
Actually wearing mine today😉
 
D
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padders padders
There were actually 4 sizes, 36mm, 39mm, 41mm (too big) and 49mm (stupidly too big using a repurposed pocket watch movement)

Agreed😉
Especially given the same movement has been packaged into a 42 mm case by others.
 
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