rolex explorer 1 vs omega railmaster?

[robinsongreen68]

i've been hankering after an explorer 1 for some time because of its elegant size, clean looks and overall versatility (ie both dress and sports watch feel).i'm a one-watch person really, and it seems to go with anything from jeans and t to a suit. but recently i've seen an omega railmaster black dial 36mm model..
the omega also seems to fit the above bill and from all the research ive done the co-axial movement is equal to if not better than the rolex. i like rolex as a brand, of course, but i like omega too. price is also a big factor: a used explorer is at least 2000 GBP whereas i could get a railmaster for maybe 1100 ..
any opinions please?

 

[stylesmurf]

Both are great with lots of history (esp the Explorer I). Don't let the big-brand-name-haters tell you that they are no good and go buy Patek Phillipe crowd sway you.

 

[RFX45]

I'd go for the Explorer I. AT first I thought it was too small but it isn't really as bad. I am not a big fan of the railmaster, to me the dial seems a bit dull. I would rather an Aqua Terra over the railmaster any day.

Get the Explorer I, you won't regret it.

 

[Robert]

Timex military style $25 at Target or your friendly AAFEES store.

 

[canstyleace]

Originally Posted by RFX45

I'd go for the Explorer I. AT first I thought it was too small but it isn't really as bad.

Get the Explorer I, you won't regret it.

+1 on the Exp1, a timeless classic, very versatile, and will take more punishment and live far beyond the omega, I mean the eta 28xx is good, but not as good as rlx 31xx.

 

[robinsongreen68]

interesting, i'd heard that the omega co-axial movement was easily as good. and there is that famous review of the expl 1 by some watch expert on the net, where he basically says its not all that. to be honest i just think it looks really cool

 

[RFX45]

I think that article you are talking about is about the Explorer I's last generation movement. IIRC, it has long been changed/modified and works much better. Since your in the 2nd hand market, you just have to know which movement you are getting with the watch.

 

[ArliHawk`]

Originally Posted by canstyleace

+1 on the Exp1, a timeless classic, very versatile, and will take more punishment and live far beyond the omega, I mean the eta 28xx is good, but not as good as rlx 31xx.

The comparison isn't fair; an 2892 against the Rolex movement is a wash. But when you put the co axial escapement on it, the Omega movement is better. That being said, I'm a huge Omega fan, but don't really care for the Railmaster. Therefore, I'd choose the Explorer 1. I think a more apt comparison would be with the AquaTerra.

 

[London]

I wear an Omega myself, but Rolex has the better resale value.

 

[DGP]

Sorry, doing a bit of Rolex research and came across this thread. Just wanted to weigh in that the OP should consider the new Aqua Terra instead of the Rail Master. While the Omega/Rolex debate can continue, the new AT with the 8500 movement (designed by Omega, built specifically for Omega, but by ETA, another Swatch subsidiary) is a better watch than the RM by far. Upgraded movement and far, far superior bracelet. I, personally, don't love the new dials, but the watches are very solid and feel nice.

 

[RFX45]

Originally Posted by DGP

Sorry, doing a bit of Rolex research and came across this thread. Just wanted to weigh in that the OP should consider the new Aqua Terra instead of the Rail Master. While the Omega/Rolex debate can continue, the new AT with the 8500 movement (designed by Omega, built specifically for Omega, but by ETA, another Swatch subsidiary) is a better watch than the RM by far. Upgraded movement and far, far superior bracelet. I, personally, don't love the new dials, but the watches are very solid and feel nice.

To me, it is hard to justify the price icnrease. I particularly like the old AT and also considered the 8500 AT but the $1,500 price difference isn't easy to justify. Maybe it's just me.

 

[DGP]

Originally Posted by RFX45

To me, it is hard to justify the price icnrease. I particularly like the old AT and also considered the 8500 AT but the $1,500 price difference isn't easy to justify. Maybe it's just me.

Well, to be fair, that's $1,500 at MSRP. In reality, probably closer to $1,000. But have you actually handled the new AT? The feel of the bracelet is the big exterior difference, IMO. It's sort of like the new vs. old Rolex Oyster bracelets (on that one I'm a fan of the old because I like the simple clasp and dislike the polished center links for tradition's sake), the new one just feels more solid and "grown up."

 

[RFX45]

While I like the aesthetic of the "deck-style" dial, it just isn't as classic look as the old one. I have a feeling it will get old quickly. I mean I did love it the first time I saw and handled it in person, especially the brown with rose gold case and it still felt like I might get tired of the new dial quick. Overall, the old one with the regular dial is just more classic and I can see myself wearing it a decade from now and probably longer. I think they should have still offered the regular dial with the new movement, it would have been a good option for those who liked the classic dial.

As for the price difference, we have to base it off the msrp because not everyone can get the same discount so that is what we have to base our pricing from.

 

[sharpie12]

Definitely Exp 1

 

[scb]

i'd go with the aqua terra over the railmaster