Omega Stories: The 2017 Railmaster - A Good Watch Smothered by Better Watches

dsio · Feb 9, 2023

The 2017 Railmaster, introduced alongside the trilogy limited edition was Omega’s second attempt in modern times to reboot the Railmaster. Like the 2000’s version, these modern Railmasters have struggled against competition from Omega’s other product lines to earn itself a place in the collection. [..]

Visit The 2017 Railmaster - A Good Watch Smothered by Better Watches to read the full article.

Evitzee · Feb 9, 2023

Good article, I considered the grey dial version with the textile, herringbone-like strap but something else caught my eye and I never went back.

One correction, the 3861 Speedmaster is still rated at 50 m. Better accuracy and magnetic protection, yes, but still only a 50 m rating.

dsio · Feb 9, 2023

Evitzee
Good article, I considered the grey dial version with the textile, herringbone-like strap but something else caught my eye and I never went back.

One correction, the 3861 Speedmaster is still rated at 50 m. Better accuracy and magnetic protection, yes, but still only a 50 m rating.

Thanks made that correction I’d been thinking of the other Speedmaster models which are 100

DaveK · Feb 9, 2023

I’m a railway history fan, and wanted to love these Railmasters, but my eye always drifted to the ATs instead. So similar, but with the AT offering, to me, more interesting details. I kinda wish Omega would play up the railway history more with these by infusing pocket watch DNA into them. Maybe take a walk over to IWC to look at how they do it. Having them lean on the Dynamic design language - as you said - would have made tremendous sense too.

Whoever has one will no doubt enjoy it. Great article.

MTROIS · Feb 9, 2023

Honestly, once I saw the picture of the movement in the case below… well, let’s just say politely that I could not “unsee it” and that I lost interest. 🙄

dsio · Feb 9, 2023

MTROIS
Honestly, once I saw the picture of the movement in the case below… well, let’s just say politely that I could not “unsee it” and that I lost interest. 🙄

Yea I’ve seen that pic but it doesn’t really bother me that Omega is shrinking their movements, they’ve had a big issue with them being too large for a long time (mainly thickness not diameter) but Omegas have been like this for a long time.

Below is a photo of the Planet Ocean 45.5mm Cal 2500 which looks even more hilarious:

LPW · Sep 5, 2024

dsio

The 2017 Railmaster, introduced alongside the trilogy limited edition was Omega’s second attempt in modern times to reboot the Railmaster. Like the 2000’s version, these modern Railmasters have struggled against competition from Omega’s other product lines to earn itself a place in the collection. [..]

Visit The 2017 Railmaster - A Good Watch Smothered by Better Watches to read the full article.

I bought the brushed grey and put an ostrich band that matched the dial markers and wear it quite a bit. Understated appearances until it's noticed for that by acquaintances because I wear 7-8 different watches regularly. Very happy with it.

DaveK · Nov 25, 2024

Thanks for this very good and helpful article. Mine just arrived today ::psy::

Pastorbottle · Nov 25, 2024

I quite like that steel blue dial

DaveK · Nov 25, 2024

Pastorbottle
I quite like that steel blue dial

Thanks! It’s a little camera shy, but it catches light wonderfully, changing colours as you stare at it and bump into parking meters, street lights, maybe one of those double-wide strollers…

BostonCanuck · Jan 2, 2026

I own the blue version, and I consider it to be Omega's "field watch" of the current era. As such, it suffers from being overly thick, with a case height coming at just over 12 mm. As the movement lacks a date complication, Omega easily could have slimmed down the case by at least 1 mm. But they didn't bother, and the line's slow sales reflect that.

So just more lazy watchmaking by Omega, a problem that continues with the new generation Railmaster launched in 2025.

cmcm0404 · Jan 7, 2026

I really wanted to like it, being all-brushed, but I couldn’t get on board with it - the AT38 just seemed more complete at much the same price point. The dial was too flat, and it was priced too high given the competition (not least from Omega). I still think the black is the pick of the bunch, too.

That said, you sometimes see NOS in foreign markets for an absolute steal. I think I saw a new one for about a third of its RRP last year in Osaka (in Don Quijote, no less). At £1600, it’s a very different proposition, unsurprisingly.

Wahoo98 · Jan 7, 2026

This model provokes different reactions for sure. I got a brushed black on the grey market five or so years ago and have loved the watch - great time keeper, great unique brushed dial that always changes, looks stylish with anything, great solidity and water resistance, wonderful case back. I actually think the heft is just right and would not personally want it slimmer. And a factor for me was a personal preference for the stick hands over the arrow hands on the AT’s and some of the other railmasters (which are not my cup of tea). In terms of nits, the rotor can be a little noisy and I don’t find the crown interaction to be stellar - nothing wrong with it, just not as satisfying as Rolex or Tudor for example. Good write up.

clockoclock · Jan 16, 2026

I liked the steel/grey Railmaster better, actually.