Before The Speedmaster, OMEGA Made The Perfect Tool Watch… And It’s Still A Collector’s Favourite

• OMEGA revives the Railmaster in two 38mm stainless steel models.
• Both models are powered by METAS-certified Master Chronometer calibres, offering anti-magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss.
• Updated bracelets and case finishing bring modern comfort and refinement to one of OMEGA’s most underrated tool watches.

Everyone knows the Speedmaster. The Moonwatch. The first chronograph that went to space and never came back. It’s a legendary story within the world of haute horlogerie, and certainly, one that has established OMEGA as one of the prominent watch brands for producing exquisite timepieces that are built to do the job.

But in OMEGA’s Professional trilogy, alongside the spy-tingling Seamaster and the gravity-defying Speedmaster, there was a third watch. Built not for astronauts or divers, but for engineers, electricians and railway workers. It was called the Railmaster. And in 2025, it’s finally making its timely return to the fold.

First launched in 1957, OMEGA is once again looking back into its celebrated history to pull out some heritage gold, unveiling two new Railmaster models for today’s modern tool watch fans.

And it’s exactly what we’ve all been waiting for: clean, compact, highly wearable, and true to the spirit of the original. It’s pure function, reminiscent of the days when watches were designed to serve a purpose. It’s no surprise to see it was featured in the Eddie Redmayne-led The Day of the Jackal recently.

Both new releases are sized at a classic 38mm, leaning into the Railmaster’s utilitarian DNA. One comes with a grey dial and subtle black gradient, paired with white Super-LumiNova numerals for crisp legibility. The other steps even further into heritage territory, featuring a textured beige dial, small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, vintage lume, and golden brown Novonappa leather. These aren’t watches designed catch someone’s eye from across the room; they’re designed to work.

In 1957, the Railmaster’s antimagnitisim was already a technical standout, with protection up to 1,000 gauss (at a time when most watches barely hit 60). In 2025, OMEGA’s gone full circle.

These new models are equipped with Master Chronometer calibres 8806 and 8804, offering magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss; fifteen times the protection of the original. And certified by METAS, OMEGA’s movement is tested in real-world conditions, making it, arguably, stricter and more comprehensive than COSC.

Design-wise, the new Railmasters stay faithful to the original’s restrained aesthetic. No date window. No unnecessary text. Just the OMEGA logo and Railmaster name on the dial. A gold standard for purpose-built timepieces that are crafted to perfection.

The cases are polished and brushed, blending classic sport watch finishing with subtle touches. Like all modern Railmasters since 2003, the silhouette aligns with the Seamaster Aqua Terra, featuring symmetry, curved lugs and an elegant wrist profile.

The steel bracelet has also been upgraded with redesigned links and a new comfort adjustment system that requires no tools. A leather strap option is also available, offering a slightly dressier interpretation of the watch’s working-class roots.

It’s funny to think that this nearly 60-year-old model that predates the Speedmaster could fit modern life better. The Railmaster wasn’t built for space, of course. It was built for Earth. For people who work with their hands, around machines, around magnetic fields. People who needed their watch to do its job quietly and without fuss.

And that’s something we can all appreciate in 2025. Tool watches are making a timely return to the collectorr’s world. Look at Ulysse Nardin’s latest diver series, or even the all-new Girard-Perregaux. People are after retro-fitted pieces these days as they’re more likely to stand the test of time.

You might not see it all over Instagram. It doesn’t have a Bond tie-in or a Moon mission attached. But maybe that’s what makes it great. Like the people it was originally built for, the Railmaster just gets on with the job. And now, more than ever, that’s exactly what collectors are looking for.