Railmaster Build

[APjumbo 3,010]

New hands showed up. 
None of them are amazing. Mostly blue lume.
The dial being off one degree was driving me crazy so the whole thing is apart again.

Lets try again.

[NCRich 13,321]

33 minutes ago, APjumbo said:

New hands showed up. 
None of them are amazing. Mostly blue lume.
The dial being off one degree was driving me crazy so the whole thing is apart again.

Lets try again.

Yeah, it happens.  Fun build!

[APjumbo 3,010]

@NCRich

Last time I weighed it down like you showed. I think it shifted when I added the weight and I couldn’t see the dial well enough to notice. 
 

This time I’m not weighing it down, and I checked from the side and it looks flush so should be ok.

 

I am also trying GS hypo cement this time, I don’t know if that is a bad idea but it has a pinpoint end on the tube which is super handy. Mixing gorilla epoxy is a pain so hopefully this works ok.

 

Blueradish is the only person in Canada that I know does lume.

But maybe he only does panerai.

I might shoot him an message to see if he can do green lume on these hands. It’s a bit too mismatched right now.

[APjumbo 3,010]

GS cement didn’t hold.

Sanded down a bit to give some grip and trying the gorilla epoxy now.

[APjumbo 3,010]

The epoxy is holding way better.

I didn’t file the new dial feet smooth like NCrich recommended, Doh! So I filed down the movement ring in the two spots that the dial feet were adding a hair of thickness.

 

Now the dial sits nice and flush.

 

I need to get around to buying some of those mini condoms finger gloves. Full size gloves are horrible to work with.

[APjumbo 3,010]

Proof I’m not a watchmaker.

Definately missing the OCD gene.

 

Found this beauty though. Hopefully it organizes me more better

 

[APjumbo 3,010]

Can’t be called a sea master if it isn’t even capable of 6Bar.

Only about 4 bubbles came off, pretty good.

[APjumbo 3,010]

As much as I am obsessed with broad arrow hands, these are a bit longer, and are beveled and catch the light way better. 
Also, less lume, which if it isn’t matching well might be less of an eye sore.

 

[APjumbo 3,010]

Infuriating 

The hour hand went great, I was excited for this look.

Minute hand did not want to go on.

Even tried another similar eBay minute hand. No luck.

Seconds hand from the new set didn’t fit either.

I could use a measuring set and broaching set.

Here are my notes I keep on hand sizing.

ands Sizes

 

Length measure at centre of hole

 

 

ST19

Venus hands measurements 

1.40x0.95x0.27

Hour x minute x sub sec

 

ETA 

1.50x0.90x0.25(0.256)

(More like 1.51x0.91)

 

0.27 x 0.18

Sub sec x central sec

 

3035/3130/3135 hands 95/140/22

28x hands size (ETA) 90/150/25

2813 hands 100/150/17

 

Miyota 8215

Different answers

Consensus is 

100/150/17 same as DG2813

 

NH35a

89/150/21

ETA hands are very slightly larger than NH35

Minutes eta hand will slip on a NH35, hour hand fits ok. Seconds hand way off

[APjumbo 3,010]

Appears those sets are NH35 sizing. Or I didn’t use enough force, but I pressed pretty firmly, looking though a loupe. Or bad tolerances on these cheap hands.

Anyways, went back to the broad arrow set and they went on perfectly, firm, not too much force, not loose.

 

Aaand, I missed one spec of dust, FFS…..

[SB56667 155]

Huge fan of this watch, and of your ambition and persistence. Well done, sir!

[Buddhabar 4,471]

On 02/07/2022 at 15:14, APjumbo said:

GS cement didn’t hold.

Sanded down a bit to give some grip and trying the gorilla epoxy now.

In your place I would have used the double-sided tape on each quarter of the dial. I have used this technique in some of my builds and have had no problems. But maximum attention must be paid to centering.

[Buddhabar 4,471]

9 hours ago, APjumbo said:

Appears those sets are NH35 sizing. Or I didn’t use enough force, but I pressed pretty firmly, looking though a loupe. Or bad tolerances on these cheap hands.

Anyways, went back to the broad arrow set and they went on perfectly, firm, not too much force, not loose.

 

Aaand, I missed one spec of dust, FFS…..

Hi B ... mate. Cheers.
Excellent result and truly admirable your ability in this project. For the size of the hands .. I think I am more "rough" than you, I would have slightly enlarged the hole for that of the minutes. But I understand that everyone has their own working methods. Oh by the way you intend to leave the second hand I see in the picture? 

If you can send a photo with the lume ... I'm curious.

 

[APjumbo 3,010]

@Buddhabar

I have also used sticky dial dots before with good success. 
The lume is tricky to photo, it is actually quite blue, and not nearly as powerful as the dial lume.

When I have time I will go through the hand sets I bought and post links and lume shots.

I need to look into a broaching set, where/how to buy one.

I don’t have a file small enough to open the hole in the hands.

 

[Buddhabar 4,471]

11 hours ago, APjumbo said:

@Buddhabar

I have also used sticky dial dots before with good success. 
The lume is tricky to photo, it is actually quite blue, and not nearly as powerful as the dial lume.

When I have time I will go through the hand sets I bought and post links and lume shots.

I need to look into a broaching set, where/how to buy one.

I don’t have a file small enough to open the hole in the hands.

 

Dude .. all very clear from what you say.
In the first photo, the lume seems to be in tune with both the dial and the hands. The same cannot be said for the second photo.

However, given your tenacity I am convinced that you will be able to have a truly respectable piece.

[paul837 6]

Hey!  

Just came across post being redirected from RWI and my eyes lit up as there doesn’t seem to be many people passionate about obtaining omega reps. 

I love Omega’s and have 3 watches that I’m desperate for: 

• Railmaster 36mm or 39mm 

• Aqua Terra 38mm, 38.5mm or 39mm  

• Seamaster 120 37mm 

I’ve been looking for an AT for years now, it looks like decent rep's were manufactured a few years back but finding it impossible to get one. It’s sad to see yours came apart but have to agree railmaster looks great. 

 

I’ve recently realised that I might have to some assembly myself to achieve what I want and recently look delivery of some suitable tools. I’ve picked up a vintage explorer dial/case etc from raffledial to get started but a long way off wanting to assemble anything costly as genuine parts. 

Ultimately my goal is to get the 3 watches above, looks like some genuine parts will required such as in your build, I find it quite sad that the market doesn’t accommodate for it as there’s mostly only rolex parts available! 

 

I too have a spare 39mm rep explorer case so might be a start point but do you have any advice at all? 

Also would your AT 38.5mm movement spacer take a miyota movement? 

Edited August 12, 2022 by paul837

[APjumbo 3,010]

@paul837

Pretty sure I saw a rep seamaster 120 not too long ago from the TDs.

It wasn’t from a high tier factory, I think it was on puretimes or trusty site.

The Railmaster was made in 39mm a LONG time ago, The 49mm XXL is still available today for cheap.

The smaller Railmaster and older aqua Terras with the 2500 movement are super hard to find now.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more modern aqua Terras available in the small sizes, my blue date at 3 38.5mm with 8500 wasn’t too hard to find M2M.

I bought a similar watch from DHgate recently which is absolute garbage. 42mm. It’s still in plastic it’s so bad. I was trying to use the case.

I don’t think a Miyota will fit, 26mm movement.

 

Miyota notes I keep handy.

9000 series competes with eta 2824/2892

26.00 diameter 

3.9mm thick

Stem 065-A05 tap 10 length??

Hands are 100/152/17

Stem offset of 9015 is 1.53mm

 

ETA 2892 stem offset is 1.5mm

 

Miyota 8000 series 

26.00 diameter

5.67 thick

Stem 065-212 tap 10,20.3mm

Hands are the same  100/152/17

Stem offset 2.57mm

Low beat 

Non hacking

[APjumbo 3,010]

I also tried the 40mm Phylida case, but it is too big for the gen 39mm dial

Phylida 40mm railmaster 33.43

Gen railmaster 39 31.52mm

[APjumbo 3,010]

XXL Railmaster 

60th Railmaster from DHgate, long time ago, only ever seen this one.

[paul837 6]

37 minutes ago, APjumbo said:

@paul837

Pretty sure I saw a rep seamaster 120 not too long ago from the TDs.

 

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more modern aqua Terras available in the small sizes, my blue date at 3 38.5mm with 8500 wasn’t too hard to find M2M.

 

Suppose i'll continue to look for used examples but no hope so far.

The seamaster 120 isn't available now from TD's, i would have snapped it up! not seen any posts for QC or posts on it so doesnt look like many were sold, its a damn shame the markets mostly rolex sports models.

Interestingly, on Etsy webside, a replica case/dial is available for a sickening £450, it fits the gen movement however so i'm trying to investigate whether I could fit a cheaper movement in its place or if i could build a movement spacer to be able to use a miyota, madness for what should be £200 pre-assembled but hey, I really want this watch!

Gen is my very last option, doesn't make sense for my situation, my gen speedmasters going to need a service any day 

 

[APjumbo 3,010]

@paul837

I know it isn’t on your list, but, have you considered a helenrau or viatnam seamaster big triangle (I don’t know what they are called) the old military type dive ones. They are unique, have to be built, easier to find parts for.

 

not mine, pic stolen, me likey.

There was one for sale a few months back in the M2M that was amazing. I had the cheap version but the case shape bothered me. You can get a proper case and make a stunner.

[paul837 6]

On 30/07/2022 at 22:21, APjumbo said:

@paul837

I know it isn’t on your list, but, have you considered a helenrau or viatnam seamaster big triangle (I don’t know what they are called) the old military type dive ones. They are unique, have to be built, easier to find parts for.

 

This isn't really to my taste and it looks like its made to fit a genuine movement. I would prefer to stay away from a 60 year old gen and find comfort that  if I made a watch and it breaks I can swap the movement out for a easily obtainable one such as 8215 or NH35, or any cheapish new movement.. 

The Etsy model I mentioned is below, perhaps this a viatnam build? Not sure where its made, I can't locate any of the parts individually but a few differant sellers have the same item.

Perhaps a NH35 or something could be fitted with a spacer ring/movement holder of some sort and obtain simular hands to suit that movement?

Still beyond my knowledge and skill but I've built my first now sucessfully (except I wish to change the hands to a better color).

Ready to practice and learn more

[APjumbo 3,010]

That Etsy case looks like a good start. It looks like a rep case that used to come with a Miyota.

Dealerclocks is not a TD here. It is a  TD at RWI forums.

https://dealerclocks.to/seamaster-120
nevermind, I see it’s out of stock there too.

@paul837

You need to search to see if a cal 601 ha sth esame dimensions as a miyota.

movement diameter (spacer can be made)

movement thickness

and most important is stem height, so it can align with the crown tube.

 

Requires Cal. 601 manual wind series movt,(NOT INCLUDED)

[paul837 6]

18 hours ago, APjumbo said:

That Etsy case looks like a good start. It looks like a rep case that used to come with a Miyota.

Dealerclocks is not a TD here. It is a  TD at RWI forums.

https://dealerclocks.to/seamaster-120
nevermind, I see it’s out of stock there too.

@paul837

You need to search to see if a cal 601 ha sth esame dimensions as a miyota.

movement diameter (spacer can be made)

movement thickness

and most important is stem height, so it can align with the crown tube.

 

Requires Cal. 601 manual wind series movt,(NOT INCLUDED)

Thanks buddy and sorry to hijack your post! only just realised I went so off topic.

Can you also tell me where I stand with hands as well? Are each hands specific to movement or are there just a couple of sizes?

[APjumbo 3,010]

@paul837

Hands are all different lengths and the hole sizes are different between models. Some models overlap.

some notes I keep:

Miyota movements

 

9000 series competes with eta 2824/2892

26.00 diameter 

3.9mm thick

Stem 065-A05 tap 10 length??

Hands are 100/152/17

Stem offset of 9015 is 1.53mm

 

ETA 2892 stem offset is 1.5mm

 

Miyota 8000 series 

26.00 diameter

5.67 thick

Stem 065-212 tap 10,20.3mm

Hands are the same  100/152/17

Stem offset 2.57mm

Low beat 

Non hacking

 

 

Hands Sizes

 

Length measure at centre of hole

 

 

ST19

Venus hands measurements 

1.40x0.95x0.27

Hour x minute x sub sec

 

ETA 

1.50x0.90x0.25(0.256)

(More like 1.51x0.91)

 

0.27 x 0.18

Sub sec x central sec

 

3035/3130/3135 hands 95/140/22

28x hands size (ETA) 90/150/25

2813 hands 100/150/17

 

Miyota 8215

Different answers

Consensus is 

100/150/17 same as DG2813

 

NH35a

89/150/21

ETA hands are very slightly larger than NH35

Minutes eta hand will slip on a NH35, hour hand fits ok. Seconds hand way off