Hi all

I finally found a 2914 and am really happy with it. Received it yesterday and love it.


However, I think there are some things to take care of - I would be happy if I could get some advice from the experts here - so here we go:

-Original Glass replaced, that is why srewdown back closes not completely
-Cal 284 looks like as If two screws are missing - maybe the to ring which holds the caliber - there are pictures with and without those two screws in the Google search?
-it looses quite a lot of time (haven't measured it yet, but it's significant) - obviously needs a service, hopefully no parts
-the dial is "Stardust" which I personally like a lot, but there are also other opinions on this
-lume seems crowfine to men
-Niade crown is okay
-caseback also worn but fine
-case used but fits imho to the dial style

Would be happy to get some Input, especially in the first three Points

Last but not least some pics :

 

Very nice watch. I had the same issue with my 1450.22 cal 861 missing two screws. without it, it's almost like the movement can just move around not being secured. All of the google pics I've seen have them. You forgot a pic of the caseback.

 

This is one of the few stardust dials I thought were actually okay looks-wise. Nice score!

 

What did you ever do to anger auto-correct so greatly?

 

Daily and extensive training

 

I'm not sure the issues are related. Do you have any pictures of the case back and the inner plate movement cover? When buying a vintage Railmaster, it's important IMO to also see pictures of these two parts.

Agreed with above, nice stardust dial.

 

Caseback:

 

Voila:

 

As you can see from the picture below, there should be a ring attached to the underside of the case back. This might describe your first issue with the case back not closing completely.

 

Not all off them have the ring, did not find out which have it. And ref number in the caseback is correct. There is not a lot info out there...

 

I was looking at this one too. Think you got a good deal on it. Congrats

 

I understand that all 2914’s should have the tension ring between the movement cover and the case back.
This tension ring is loose, not fixed to the case back and completes the ‘faraday cage’ that reduces the effect of magnetism on the movement, the dial is also extra thick on the Railmasters which also assists in the process.
Your movement does seem to be sitting high and possibly ‘fouling’ the case back which is stopping it from screwing down fully.
This might be because of an aftermarket crystal that may have a thicker fixing flange than an original glass. However, this would usually cause a problem with the winding stem not lining up into the movement. Is the winding and setting stiff?
Here’s mine with a pic of the back and movement.

 

Its a beauty...the dial condition is very typical as the lume crumbles and sits on the dial burning the finish. I would assume the hands were relumed...but those hands are quite uncommon, ive only seen two others with the larger lume hour hand. Here are mine, 2914-2 and 2914-4

 

They all originally had the ring...not all of them still have it 60 years later. Fortunately, if you look hard you can still find them or a re-manufactured one.

The correct crystal can also be found.

 

Not sure if he is still making them, I bought a few of these years ago. I also found a couple original rings NOS from a seller in Australia, I'll dig thru my archives and see if I can find his name.

 

found it...he is actually a member here, unfortunately time flys, its been 5 years...so not sure if he still has these. But if you have patience, they do pop up every now and then.

 

crystal and ring

 

Winding stem is fine, it also winds okay. The glas is for sure aftermarket, and should be a bit "higher". Plus I think the two screws leaves the movement a bit loose, resulting in a fixation only from the caseback when fixed.

 

Great! Thank you! I love it here

If hands have been relumed than it was nicely done. Geiger shows - according to seller - also the right signs.