Omega released the very first Railmaster, the reference CK2914, in 1957. The model was the manufacturer’s response to the increasing demand for wristwatches that could resist high magnetic fields in electro-industrial environments. Magnetism can wreak havoc on a mechanical watch by distorting the balance spring, ergo influencing the watch’s ability to maintain a stable oscillation sequence and keep time accurately. The CK2914 adopted a soft iron inner case as a Faraday Cage and a thicker dial to shield the movement from external magnetic influences of strengths up to 1,000 Gauss (a unit that measures the strength of magnetic fields).

Produced in 1957, this vintage Omega is one of the examples of the Railmaster series which was produced only for a short period of time. The caliber 284, used in the Railmaster only from 1957 to 1958, is a manual-winding movement which is renowned for its precision and dependability. Housed in a specially crafted stainless steel case, the hands and hour markers of the watch are faintly luminescent and have developed a lovely, warm patina. The present lot is an incredible tool watch, with everything that a vintage collector would love - the classic Omega broad-arrow hands, beautifully-aged patina and a utilitarian stainless steel case.