Community Stories

Railmaster vs Explorer?

gvids
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Just over a year after my postings on page 8, I sold my 39mm Explorer. An exceptionally great watch, but it was just a bit too big and bold for my taste. It was my intention to pick up a 36mm Explorer (an early 14270), but a few things got in the way of my plans:
1) I used the funds to pay down some debts
2) I just can’t justify the prices the 36mm versions are commanding these days for the comparatively inferior timepiece you get, especially with regards to the bracelet and clasp.
3) I fell back in love with this guy and decided I don’t need any other watch, period:
20191128_202615.jpg
Love to see more pics of this. This railmaster is something I really have not had a chance to appreciate! Cheers,

Gokul
 
fskywalker
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Just over a year after my postings on page 8, I sold my 39mm Explorer. An exceptionally great watch, but it was just a bit too big and bold for my taste. It was my intention to pick up a 36mm Explorer (an early 14270), but a few things got in the way of my plans:
1) I used the funds to pay down some debts
2) I just can’t justify the prices the 36mm versions are commanding these days for the comparatively inferior timepiece you get, especially with regards to the bracelet and clasp.
3) I fell back in love with this guy and decided I don’t need any other watch, period:
20191128_202615.jpg

That model is nice, but prefer the 2500 series RM (specially the 36mm version) over the newer versions 😉

Railmaster.jpg
 
C
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I really like the look of the 2500 Railmaster because the painted Arabic numerals remind me of the version of Explorer I really want, the 1016, which unfortunately is priced beyond my reach. After looking around for a nice 2504.52 (36mm w/bracelet?) for a couple of years, I gave up and recently bought a 114270 Explorer. The history of the Explorer finally pushed me over to the dark side. 😉 I could still buy a Railmaster, too, but the prices for a nice 36mm on bracelet keep creeping up (over $4,000) making it difficult for me to justify owning both.

My Rolex Explorer(600).jpg
Edited:
 
DIV
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I like the 2500 Railmaster ALOT as well, and had 2 39mm’s and a 36mm. I especially loved the lumed numbers. But didn’t care for the bracelet clasp. But believe it or not, the biggest issue for me was the lack of a broad arrow HOUR hand.
 
gvids
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I like the 2500 Railmaster ALOT as well, and had 2 39mm’s and a 36mm. I especially loved the lumed numbers. But didn’t care for the bracelet clasp. But believe it or not, the biggest issue for me was the lack of a broad arrow HOUR hand.

Can I ask is the 36mm that great of a find, or is it more the novelty? I had a 39mm and suspect another one will enter my collection in the near future 😉
 
DIV
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I do believe fewer of the 36mm/2508 were produced.
 
gvids
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I do believe fewer of the 36mm/2508 were produced.
For sure, just wondering how much more appealing this watch actually is in person...
 
KeithS
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C cfracing
I really like the look of the 2500 Railmaster because the painted Arabic numerals remind me of the version of Explorer I really want, the 1016, which unfortunately is priced beyond my reach. After looking around for a nice 2504.52 (36mm w/bracelet?) for a couple of years, I gave up and recently bought a 114270 Explorer. The history of the Explorer finally pushed me over to the dark side. 😉 I could still buy a Railmaster, too, but the prices for a nice 36mm on bracelet keep creeping up (over $4,000) making it difficult for me to justify owning both.

My Rolex Explorer(600).jpg

What a beautiful watch—I bet the seller misses it already 😉
 
Strangedream
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Amazing how people are still voicing their opinions 3 years later. OP probably made his choice ages ago 😁

Joke aside, I think it's more accurate to compare apples with apples so maybe Railmaster vs. Milgauss? I've never owned either of these models (Railmaster or Explorer) so I can only give you my personal opinion based on aesthetics. In this case I'd go for the Explorer because it looks dressier and went to the Everest. Mind you the Railmaster is a very close second choice IMO and still a fantastic piece!
 
DIV
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A little aside here...after having referenced the Railmaster thread on WUS, and seeing how (sadly) commercial-heavy WUS has become with the ads, the pop-ups on every page etc.....I gotta give thanks and appreciation to how pleasant and clean OF is in comparison. I used to “live” at the WUS Omega forum until I found this forum and man, it is a welcome change!....so thank you for all the friends, mods and admin’s here at OF for maintaining it so well!
 
gvids
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DIV DIV
A little aside here...after having referenced the Railmaster thread on WUS, and seeing how (sadly) commercial-heavy WUS has become with the ads, the pop-ups on every page etc.....I gotta give thanks and appreciation to how pleasant and clean OF is in comparison. I used to “live” at the WUS Omega forum until I found this forum and man, it is a welcome change!....so thank you for all the friends, mods and admin’s here at OF for maintaining it so well!
An excellent point. I have not been on OF for a while, and it is incredibly refreshing!
 
C
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gvids gvids
Can I ask is the 36mm that great of a find, or is it more the novelty? I had a 39mm and suspect another one will enter my collection in the near future 😉
I think it just comes down to individual tastes and the size of your wrist. To me the 36mm just has better proportions. Because of the thinness of the bezel the 39mm looks like all dial to my eye and wears bigger than it actually is. I feel the same way about the proportions of the 36mm versus the 39mm Explorer, which is why I recently purchased a used 114270 instead of waiting for a new 214270.

I can’t speak to the relative quantities of the different size Railmasters produced, but I suspect that a lot of 250x.52 Railmaster lovers feel the same as I do and are hanging on to their 36mm Railmasters while those with 39mm’s are attempting to cash in on the renewed interest created by the search for 36mm’s.
 
cholack
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As many have said already it depends on what particular railmaster and what particular explorer.

A matt dialed 1016 would be at the top of my list, unless you find and plunk down enough money for vintage CK2914 or gilt /gloss dialed 1016. Otherwise, if one were to be economically of sound mind, the trilogy railmaster would be a reasonable buy.

An alternative to all of this would be a Ranchero but it’s a minefield of fakes out there...
 
micampe
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cholack cholack
An alternative to all of this would be a Ranchero but it’s a minefield of fakes out there...
True

2PAjffR.jpg
 
DIV
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I remember musing with my OB rep about cool it would be if the Ranchero would get reissued. He said it’s extremely unlikely to ever happen.
 
Pun
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DIV DIV
I remember musing with my OB rep about cool it would be if the Ranchero would get reissued. He said it’s extremely unlikely to ever happen.
I think Flightmaster and Ranchero are two the most qualified vintage models that we should see re-issued by Omega in near future.
 
Caliber561
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Pun Pun
I think Flightmaster and Ranchero are two the most qualified vintage models that we should see re-issued by Omega in near future.
If I remember correctly, Omega sold the rights to use the name Flightmaster to Seiko.
 
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