Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, May 08, 2010

LOT 333

OMEGA Railmaster Omega, ?Railmaster?, movement No. 20786017, Ref. CK 135004. Made in 1963. Very fine and very rare, anti-magnetic, center seconds, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch. Accompanied by a modern Omega box.

CHF 5,000 - 7,000

USD 4,800 - 6,700 / EUR 3,500 - 5,000

Sold: CHF 5,040

C. Double, outer: three-body, solid, polished and brushed, inclined bezel, down turned lugs. Inner: two-piece, mu-metal. D. Matte black with painted luminous ochre-colored dart indexes, luminous Arabic quarters, outer minute/seconds divisions. Luminous steel dauphine hands. M. Cal. 286, copper-colored, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 15 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-8

Good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-10-01

Good

Patinated

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is a third generation model dating from 1962 onwards using the caliber 30 SC T6-286 movement. The first model of 1957 (Ref. CK 2914) used the caliber 30 SC T4-284 and the second generation of 1959 (also Ref. CK 2914) used the caliber 30 SC T5-285 with adjustment in four positions.
The second in the famous Omega ?Master? trilogy of watches, the ?Railmaster? was aimed at professionals who worked near magnetic fields. The movement of the ?Railmaster? is encased by a mu-metal cage that protects the movement to 1000 Gauss. Launched in 1957, it followed the IWC Ingenieur by two years and preceded the Rolex Milgauss by one year. The ?Railmaster? watch was revolutionary at the time of its creation, due in no small part to the use of mu-metal. This material, which today is commonly used in a multitude of anti-magnetic housings, was then almost unheard-of, and on the cutting edge of technology.