The vintage Railmaster is my favorite vintage Omega. I love the design. I’m also a Rolex junkie, but the Milgauss doesn’t hold a candle to the Railmaster, in my opinion. This one is being offered at Bulang and Sons for about 12,000 euros. At first glance, it looks beautiful. Any red flags?

 

I’m no expert on these, but I find it strange that the Swiss made is half covered. It would be worth comparing with other examples.

 

I saw that too but assumed it was the angle of the photo.

 

Others will chime in...

The hands are a different color from the dial lume.

Is it me or is the lume a little sloppy? I’d love to see a UV shot and macro of lume plots.

Could all be kosher...I’ve never owned one, so don’t have my weight here.

 

I am also not an expert on these, but just based on what I have seen with other references, I suspect that the SWISS MADE being cut off is associated with a replacement rehaut, which is not really a big deal. Much more important is that the dial is original.

There are some real experts here on this reference, including @gemini4.

 

Here is a link to a very similar 135.004-63 RM that @abrod520 sold 3 years ago. Also caliber 286, 20474xxx movement number, same handset, with extract.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-railmaster-135-004-63-early-1964-production.51299/

I think the OP example is fairly legit. Most 63’s have tritium lume even thought TT (or sometimes a single T) are not always present. The dial has the proper layout and recessed lume wells. I’d be concerned about the hands and dial being relumed as the lume is very uniform in color and bright. Also the lack of a pic of the mag cover needs to be addressed.

 

Thank you for the response. The lume appears too good to be true?

 

Dial lume is about the right color, though it’s maybe a bit too tidy? I’d want to see this in person because I have a feeling the photos might not be revealing some texture on the dial and lume. Otherwise, everything does check out

 

Looks like a very nice and well preserved, original example. The "SWISS MADE" being cut off is as it should be, so the rehaut / tension ring is correct.

The price is not a bargain, though.

 

Thanks for the reply. These watches don’t appear to go up for sale frequently and I’m having a bit of trouble determining fair market value. Any thoughts on where the price should be?

 

As you already point out, these watches don't pop up for sale very often and if so, not always in best condition. So it's hard to tell the "market value".

Considering the good overall condition, I maybe would pay 6 - 7k for it. But that's just my point of view...

 

You’re paying a premium for the fact that it’s being sold by Bulang & Sons. Given the markups these dealers usually add, I’d say it might be worth 7 or 8 in a private sale. But, at least you can return it easily if you find it’s not above board. As you say, they come up for sale very rarely so, in these cases, market price is whatever you find acceptable.

 

When I zoom in on the photo of the movement on this watch, it appears as though it’s the cal 285 movement, or are my eyes deceiving me? This should be the cal 286, which would be period-appropriate. It is advertised as a 286 movement in the writeup.

 

Very clearly 286 to my eyes.

 

Looks like 286 to me:

 

My apologies, you’re correct.

 

hands being a different color is very common in vintage watches, no red flags there. L’ultime always look “sloppy” closed up, that’s normal as well.

 

It’s a very beautiful watch, but I am not sure I would buy from Bulang and Sons. Probably a high mark-up.

 

Beautiful watches will always command high prices. I’m willing to pay more for an exquisite specimen. Donny Bay is the dealer at Bulang, and I have heard from other sources that he is reputable. The watch market does feel to be cooling some, so there is likely room for negotiation here. The audience for Railmasters is not large.

 

It looks really nice. It’s normal that there is a little difference in the color of the lumen between hands and dial. I have once been told that it has something to do with the oxigene. That the hands are getting oxigene on both sides, and the dial only get’s from on side (the top). That’s why the lumen develop differently. I dont know if this is the correct explanation.