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munichblue
·I do hope, no I pray for a 40mm Railmaster. I've spotted the flywheel mass, so it's automatic, no date, everything to my liking. Bracelet? That's the big question...
Railmaster teaser Baselworld
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friendharry
·The set Trilogy will be more than 20KUSD.
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Davidt
·@ICONO i can't really disagree with that Patrick. I've never bought a new/modern watch, pretty much for the reasons you've described. Very few of the modern models appeal to me in the slightest and the ones that do, tend to be reissues or lines that have soldiered on for decades such as the Speedmaster. In either case I'd rather have an original 60's example, and the reissues specifically just don't seem to have the authenticity or soul of the originals.
Nevertheless, I continually find myself looking for one modern watch. I wear my vintage watches everyday without fail, but I frequently feel like it'd be nice to have a just one modern watch. One that can go diving, skiing, out in torrential rain without causing me a big issue, and this is where the reissues come in for me. It's a compromise for sure, and I agree harking back to former glories that you previously discontinued (twice!), might not be great for the brand in the long run, but it's the best way IMO to get that one modern watch with the styling I like.
I have to say, I've been excited before about a new release. The Seamaster 300 Master Coaxial and the 2016 Rolex Explorer 1, for the exact reasons I mentioned above. I even went to buy both of them at one time or another. Yet I never came away with the watch. Something always stopped me. Might be the same story here. Hopefully not.
Nevertheless, I continually find myself looking for one modern watch. I wear my vintage watches everyday without fail, but I frequently feel like it'd be nice to have a just one modern watch. One that can go diving, skiing, out in torrential rain without causing me a big issue, and this is where the reissues come in for me. It's a compromise for sure, and I agree harking back to former glories that you previously discontinued (twice!), might not be great for the brand in the long run, but it's the best way IMO to get that one modern watch with the styling I like.
I have to say, I've been excited before about a new release. The Seamaster 300 Master Coaxial and the 2016 Rolex Explorer 1, for the exact reasons I mentioned above. I even went to buy both of them at one time or another. Yet I never came away with the watch. Something always stopped me. Might be the same story here. Hopefully not.
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Riviera Paradise
·I get your point, but there seems to be two, intertwining issues here: creativity lack with new watches, vs a re-issue of an older model.
Yes: they do seem to be harking back to older designs for many of their current releases. But, some of them are so good that there are still aesthetically pleasing, with the benefits of some modern improvements. Not all bad, in my opinion...So with each re-issue, there may be some you like, and some that fall flat.
What's new, in many cases, is the technology. Here, we have seen METAS, significant anti-magnetic material improvements, etc., that are actually quite impressive. There is just so much you can do with a watch case, that hasn't been done before. So when you talk of "pushing the creative envelope," I don't see any of the major watch companies putting anything new out that makes one say, Wow! what a creative design departure from what everyone else is doing! At least within the limits of good taste.
I actually think that amongst its entry level luxury peers (Rolex, JLC) Omega does strive most not only for new technology but also for new designs / new materials. I am sure there are more recent examples, but right now I recall the sapphire case on the Hour Vision, the full ceramic DSOTM range, new Speedmaster Moonphase 2016 (who else thought of doing that new high res printed image of the moon?) the Globemaster Annual Calendar, PO Deep Black etc....(the last two I personally did not like at all)....at the same time RA is clearly showing he is aware that there is a WIS market for the "new vintage" watch...reissues of classic iconic designs that bring heritage / pedigree as part of the emotional appeal.
I generally prefer the classic designs (Tresor, SM 300MC, Speedy Tuesday etc.)...but I can understand that Omega are trying to cater to a more diverse aesthetic...and as Archer has commented before on another thread, this is actually coherent with the brand's history...they have always had this shotgun approach with a wide product range. I was concerned with Basel 2016 that they might be forgetting their iconic classical designs and overdesigning their watches...Basel 2017 they seem to be finding the right balance between old and new.
Edited:
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Riviera Paradise
·Did they already nail it last year?
https://monochrome-watches.com/omega-2015-novelties-omega-baselworld-2015-predictions-railmaster/
If that had come out in 2016 Omega would have certainly stolen thunder from the launch of the Rolex Explorer 1 Mk2...I for one would have been torn as to which one to buy. I can see the logic though of opting to reintroduce a new Railmaster as part of "the trilogy 60th anniversary" tribute in 2017.
Edited:
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Riviera Paradise
·Anyone wishing to view/download Omega's source MP4 file:
https://www.omegawatches.com/images/Video/Homepage_carrousel/Home_Baselworld2017_Teaser1.mp4
Assuming 29.00mm movement diameter from:
http://watchbase.com/omega/caliber/8806
I measured 437px for the movement width in the movie, which gives a 0.06636 multiplier.
These are approximate dimensions for the watch. There may in fact be a bit of extra girth, from the rotor, but I had to take a stab at where to perform the measurements.
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nima0071
·The issue with this rail master is the is not manual wind. It would of been great if they put the tresor movement in it. That is my opinion though.
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ffej4
·Any idea what this would retail at, realistically? $5k?
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Riviera Paradise
·Any idea what this would retail at, realistically? $5k?
Well for reference I have written down the retail pricing of some possible "competitors" to the new Railmaster
Omega Seamaster 300MC, in-house movement: US$6.6K
Rolex Explorer 21470 Mk2, in-house movement: US$6.5K
JLC new Master Control Date* sector dial, in-house movement (display caseback and gold rotor): US$5.7K
IWC Ingenieur* with Sellita movement: around US$5K (very boring, much prefer the 3229 ref.)
*I know both of these have dates, but they do have that 3-hand GADA and vintage vibe which might appeal to someone looking at the Railmaster for their next purchase.
If the Railmaster is only released as a LE...then I think Omega could get away with +US$6K, close to SM 300MC / Explorer pricing...I think there might be enough Omega hardcore fans to snap them up. Otherwise somewhere around US$5.5K would make sense IMO.
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Df13
·@ICONO i can't really disagree with that Patrick. I've never bought a new/modern watch, pretty much for the reasons you've described. Very few of the modern models appeal to me in the slightest and the ones that do, tend to be reissues or lines that have soldiered on for decades such as the Speedmaster. In either case I'd rather have an original 60's example, and the reissues specifically just don't seem to have the authenticity or soul of the originals.
Nevertheless, I continually find myself looking for one modern watch. I wear my vintage watches everyday without fail, but I frequently feel like it'd be nice to have a just one modern watch. One that can go diving, skiing, out in torrential rain without causing me a big issue, and this is where the reissues come in for me. It's a compromise for sure, and I agree harking back to former glories that you previously discontinued (twice!), might not be great for the brand in the long run, but it's the best way IMO to get that one modern watch with the styling I like.
I have to say, I've been excited before about a new release. The Seamaster 300 Master Coaxial and the 2016 Rolex Explorer 1, for the exact reasons I mentioned above. I even went to buy both of them at one time or another. Yet I never came away with the watch. Something always stopped me. Might be the same story here. Hopefully not.
Yeah, we have to remember that mechanical watches are now firmly in the realm of being an anachronism, so looking for high tech advancements these days is about like looking to buy the most technologically advanced typewriter.
I agree with you about daily wearers, and it's why the Moonwatch is maybe the only watch I'd still consider in the current Omega catalogue. The PO/AquaTerra 2500 were the last "new" Omega designs that interest me (although maybe I'd add the Globemaster into that mix.) Similarly, outside of a couple of models, I think Rolex designs have been off base since the 6-digit models started arriving.
I like some of these new "throwback" models, as they're a bit of an equivalent to Singer's "reimagined" Porsches, but the faux lume kills them for me.
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Meme-Dweller
·You & I David, rarely disagree.....but on this occasion.....she may have a point
Whilst I entirely respect 'different folks have different strokes' in terms of personal preferences, .......I desperately fear this may another case of 'Emperors New Clothes', from Omega.... Entirely accepting, of course, this may be my exclusively personal perspective, ( as a University Lecturer in Creativity & Design )
Countless re iterations of recycled past glories, tends to lead to creative stagnancy...........One only has to look at Hollywood's persistent obsession with Comic book 'Superheros'
However, from Omega's Marketing Dept's point of view, a launch of anything I suppose, maintains the Brands public presence, reassures existing buyers of their historic choices, & generates vast oceanic column inches, in online fandom blogs......The 'Speedy Tuesday' edition was a direct result of 'Social Media'...and even that, let's be honest, was just yet another Speedmaster with a variation of the 60's Breitling 765 Avi dial...........Thankfully,..... without a cartoon character, as its primary focus
if one looks at the 15 years between 1957 & 1972.......Omega was at the forefront of design risk taking, in creative experimentation in wrist watch aesthetics,...... & their conceptual bravery spurred many other brands to follow their lead......Where is that corporate confidence, to push the creative envelope now ?
I was pretty scathing, at the time, about the Bullhead re issue......and ( despite predictions to the contrary ), there are shed loads of those still unsold...& unless I am wrong,.....was the last version of the Railmaster, not also discontinued due to poor sales ?
This is not an attempt to rain on anyone's parade......more to provoke discussion about where Omega might take their designs, going forwards....and not backwards
I realise my less than positive comments, are never going to win me an invitation for dinner with Mr. Aeschlimann......I hope, I can live with that
I can see your argument from your point of view, but when Omega looks out the window, they see Rolex. And therein lays the reason for a lack of risk: because it works for the most profitable watch company in the world.
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