OMEGA | Time well spent in Zermatt

There are moments when the mountains offer more than just a view, they offer perspective. That was the case on a recent trip to Zermatt, where a beautiful summer morning set the tone for a slow ascent to Paradise. It's one of the area’s most beloved mountain restaurants. Tucked away at 2,230 metres above sea level, with sweeping views of the Matterhorn, it’s a place where time slows down and where the right timepiece becomes part of the moment. On this occasion, that timepiece was the OMEGA Seamaster Railmaster.

Exploring the Alps with the Railmaster

Originally designed in 1957 for professionals working in magnetic environments, such as railway staff and engineers, the Railmaster has always blended function with clean, utilitarian style. Its 2024 reinterpretation retains the essential DNA: a symmetrical 38 mm case in brushed and polished steel, vintage Super-LumiNova numerals on a beige-to-black gradient dial, and a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. The watch feels like it belongs in the mountains: practical, low-key, and capable of thriving in extreme conditions.

Its Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8804 movement is anti-magnetic up to 15,000 gauss, meaning it can shrug off anything from airport security to alpine cable car systems. A sapphire crystal caseback reveals the movement in action. Mechanical beauty that echoes the elegance of the Alps themselves.

A Restaurant that lives up to its Name

Arriving at Paradise, perched high above Zermatt with a direct line of sight to the Matterhorn, we were greeted with that unmistakable blend of alpine clarity and culinary anticipation. The atmosphere? Relaxed but elevated. Think polished wooden beams, faux fur throws, and waiters who know your wine preferences before you do.

The menu is a delightful fusion of local tradition and global flair. Each dish arrived with a view. Plates framed by panoramic windows and cloud-kissed peaks. Wearing the Railmaster here felt fitting. A nod to OMEGA’s precision and legacy, it quietly complemented the restaurant’s aesthetic: elegant, but never flashy. Purposeful, yet refined.

An unexpected Encounter in Town

Back down in Zermatt, a stop at the OMEGA Boutique revealed another treasure: the Speedmaster “First OMEGA in Space”, a modern homage to astronaut Walter Schirra’s personal Speedmaster CK 2998. With its grey-blue dial, Dot Over Ninety bezel, and vintage leather strap, it was a reminder that while the Railmaster thrives on earth, the Speedmaster was built for the stars.

Equipped with the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861 and vintage detailing, it bridges the past and the present. Just like Zermatt itself, where cutting-edge hospitality and storied alpine tradition coexist effortlessly. Whether it’s a Railmaster made for the tracks or a Moonwatch made for the stars, OMEGA proves that great design doesn’t age, it adapts.

At 2,230 metres in Zermatt, with a glass of Champagne in hand and the Railmaster catching the mountain light, the moment felt timeless. Because sometimes, all you need is a good watch, good food, and a view that reminds you how small and how lucky you are.