Rolex vs Omega is a contest that inflames the passions of watch buyers, watch collectors, and watch enthusiasts. Two of the strongest luxury watch brands of all time go head to head on “Versus” as we compare technician’s antimagnetic watches of the past and present. Specifically, we pit the vintage re-edition Omega Seamaster Railmaster “1957 Trilogy” limited edition against the postmodernist Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss “GV,” the green crystal Milgauss.
The Rolex Milgauss dates back to 1956, which means that the original antimagnetic Rolex pre-dates its Omega rival, the 1957 Seamaster Railmaster CK2914 by one model year. Today’s Rolex Milgauss 116400GV bowed in 2007 as the first Milgauss since the 1019 quietly lapsed in 1988. The 40mm automatic watch includes Rolex’s signature 904L stainless steel alloy in both case and Oyster bracelet construction. An Oyster clasp with Easylink tool-free adjustment permits instant sizing adjustments; a Twinlock crown provides 100 meter water resistance.
Rolex’s Milgauss GV is defined by its green tinted sapphire crystal. But the matte black dial is exceptional in its own right. Most Rolex black dials include a gloss lacquer finish; additional differentiation comes in the form of orange characters and intermediate indices. The signature Milgauss “lightning bolt” hand in orange completes a colorful and offbeat watch face.
Under the dial, a Rolex caliber 3131 automatic movement is shielded from magnetic fields by a soft iron cage; the movement itself is a COSC certified Swiss chronometer with a 48-hour power reserve.
Omega has revived the Railmaster brand several times, but the 2017 Railmaster Trilogy 1957 is the most committed and faithful attempt to recapture the style of the original CK2914. The 2017 watch is a 38mm stainless steel limited edition of 3,557 pieces, and it forms a trilogy of 60th anniversary models alongside the equivalent Seamaster 300 1957 and CK2915 Speedmaster limited editions.
An Omega caliber 8806 automatic Master Chronometer caliber provides both antimagnetic protection and a long legged 55 hour power reserve. The Omega exclusive movement utilizes an Si14 silicon hairspring to surpass both the magnetic resistance of the 1957 Railmaster and the current Rolex Milgauss 116400. Omega passes all of its caliber 8806 movements through the brand’s new METAS test of chronometry, antimagnetism, winding and power reserve, and water resistance. On the last count, this Omega is water resistant to 60 meters.
The Omega Railmaster 1957 Trilogy features vintage Omega logos on its dial, crown, and bracelet clasp. But while the bracelet clasp bears vintage imagery, its internals are modern in specification. A twin trigger release opens the clasp and a pushbutton slider permits minute incremental sizing adjustments.