|
|
The legendary Omega Railmaster CK 2914
This Omega time piece can be considered as a legend, from many points of view. First launched in 1957, it was one of the famously known Omega trilogy, the Railmaster CK 2914, the two latter being the Speedmaster CK 2915 and the Seamaster CK 2913. The goal of Omega factory was offering 3 brand new technical - "master" - watches to the market. The Speed was intended for car racers or sportive people in need of measuring short periods of time (Stop watch functions), the Sea was designed for professional divers – with its improved waterproofing – while the Rail for engineers who were working in strong magnetic field areas (double housing case, and specially designed dial resisting to around 1000 Gauss, say 0.1 Tesla). For the collector, the rarest one to find is certainly the first Speedmaster CK 2915. The rumour says – by the way it is not a rumour but a real fact – that even the official Omega Museum in Bienne ( Switzerland ) does not have a single one. At our knowledge, it finally got one from the author of the world known book "The time capsule", in exchange of the authorization to collect official information from Omega head office. The Railmaster, too, is very difficult to find in perfect original condition. When we mean "original", we do say that all parts are original ones, built at same time as the watch itself did. Many collectors and especially resellers tend to abuse of the "original" term, since several parts have been replaced later by "genuine" parts, but not by truly original – from same era – ones. Most of time, the "all original" claim has very little signification. The time piece you can see here is a real, original piece, with all parts being from the same era. We do insist on the NAIAD crown and the outer side of the back case housing, which are some indications that you have a "true original" Railmaster or not. And believe us, it is not so easy to find out. Be especially careful about the movement serial number, which can be retrieved by Omega factory as being the right model. Our sample, model 2914-4 SC, movement caliber 284, 17 jewels, serial number 16'942'202, was delivered to Chile , the 28 th of November, 1961. The interesting aspect of this time piece is certainly that it was the precursor of the better known Rolex Milgauss or the IWC Ingénieur, both made to cope with high magnetic field areas. When you study the history of the Railmaster, you understand that it is much rarer than the latter. Even in the "Omega Saga" reference book, written by the Omega Museum manager, you will only find one allusion to it, and very few, if no one, illustration. Nobody knows exactly until which year the Railmaster was produced, and in which quantities. Ask any Omega specialist, and if you get the answer, do not hesitate telling us, we will post the information on our web site right after ! In brief, the Omega Railmaster is a very rare and precious collector watch, and it is still surrounded by some secret story.
Some original advertisement from 1963
Copyright(c) RochPro Consult 2003. Tous droits réservés.
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)