Saw this pop up the other day but decided to pass on it. It ended up selling later in the evening, so it will be interesting to see where it ends up and how it will look.

Obviously a very rare watch with correct movement and what seems to be correct serial range. An original dial will be impossible to find, which is why I passed on it.

Maybe someone will buy a 53 RAF dial from a 2777-1 and redial the bottom to say Railmaster. The hands wouldn't be hard to find. Definitely an interesting project.

For posterity, asking price was 3250 GBP and serial is 14158819. Cal 283 with swan neck regulator.

 

I bought that one and already have my feelers out for a dial like a 53 thin arrow dial but without arrow of course.
I don't think it was a Railmaster dial originally on this one in the first place but will get an archive to see what comes up.
God knows where the dial on it came from, anyone have an idea?

Impossible project maybe but well worth a try.
I would even love to see a modern Omega replacement thin arrow on this one too.

Cheers, Michael

 

He who dares Rodders

 

I dare! but rarely win, but always have fun.
Its the movement that interests me the most, never owned one before. The case style is nice too.

 

t

 

Above is what I want mine to look like.
Photo credit to Matthew Bain Inc.

 

It will be interesting to see what the EOA shows. Good luck with the project Mike.

 

@MSNWatch has a nice example as well

 

Its always a worry but the serial range and from other examples I have seen I am hoping it will be OK.
Cheers

 

Mike has a nice example of everything, so it doesn't surprise me

 

" He who dares, rodders....(?) " ......not much daring here. He , who saw it and did not buy it, lost . A lot. A correct one is 4 times the $ 4000 paid by Michael. Buy a normal run down Fat Arrow with the luminous wells in the right place and find a redialer with the correct TA font.....Even if you use the Rolex standard of the dial beeing 50% of the value of the watch, you paid half, Michael. Congratulations ! Not many made. Less than 20 with swan neck known so far. My mvmt number is 64 examples earlier. Will take a pics. From the factory excerpt later. Kind regards. Achim

 

The difference between wanting a cobbled watch or not. Everyone has their own preference, but I would never buy a watch to look for a dial "that fits". It takes the fun out of the watch for me. On the other hand, for some people that is where the fun is. You should see both sides of that I think, it's not always about how much something is perceived to be "worth" in dollars and cents.... Sometimes it's more about sense.

 

I don't think there is much choice with a watch like this, you can either buy it or wait a long time in the hope you can find another one, but the price will be probably much higher.

Hands should not be too hard, the dial is another matter of course.
I really like the movement, I have never owned one and find it a bit special. the rest is just a added bonus.
I would have loved to see what the original dial looked like before it was swapped out, the movement and case are in great condition, so I wonder what was so bad about the dial? rust spots maybe? or did someone think a dodgy Railmaster dial would have been better?
If I can get this watch looking right I will be very happy with that.

All that being said I have not received this watch yet and always think when threads come up like this so soon after a purchase, "will I ever see it"?
Cheers, Michael

 

The seller sells lots of watches, no doubt he has a watchmaker. Is it possible he/his watchmaker swapped out the original dial and hands with new “aftermarket” parts thinking they were doing a good thing for the sale? If so, they may have the originals.
I bought a plain Jane Seamaster on eBay and it had the wrong hands but seller said his watchmaker has “looked at”. I contacted him and asked if his watchmaker still had the original hands (on a lark- maybe they swapped the hands). Sure enough, his watchmaker had swapped the hands because the lume had disintegrated- he has hands that “fit”. Seller sent the original hands to me for free, I had them relumed. Never hurts to ask.

 

Any photos of the watch Achim?
Cheers, Michael

 

Already done that
The seller said it was bought from a old couple like this so who knows what happened.
Thanks, Michael

 

Nice grab Michael, connoisseurs choice.
I’d be tempted to just have a sterile dial made and lume it and the hands to match when you find them, keeps the military look without looking like a redial. The case and movement are the highlight here for sure.

 

I have now received this one.
Dial looks 1mm thick and is very nicely repainted with sunken plots and what looks and acts like tritium as opposed to radium but is probably not.
So maybe a repainted original Which was refinished in Vietnam? Or just a whole replica dial?