Television presenter James May spotted wearing a Omega

James May was caught on camera inside a moving vehicle — a setting that feels entirely natural for one of motoring television's most recognisable faces — wearing what is clearly an Omega Seamaster Railmaster XXL on a rich brown leather strap. The shot, likely captured during a Top Gear or Grand Tour production segment, offers a clean view of the watch on his wrist, confirming the distinctive dial layout that sets the Railmaster apart from the broader Seamaster family.

The Omega Seamaster Railmaster XXL, reference 2512.52.37, is powered by Omega's Calibre 2201, a manually-wound movement with a co-axial escapement and small-seconds display at 6 o'clock. The 43mm stainless steel case houses a matte black dial dressed with large Arabic numerals at 12, 3, and 9, bold luminescent baton indices, and applied lume plots — all deliberate design choices that echo the original 1957 CK 2914 Railmaster. That original model was purpose-built for railway engineers and workers exposed to electromagnetic interference, offering a degree of anti-magnetic protection that was genuinely functional rather than merely aesthetic.

From a collector standpoint, the Railmaster XXL occupies an interesting position. It never quite achieved the cult status of the Speedmaster or the sales volume of the Aqua Terra, which makes clean examples increasingly sought after among Omega enthusiasts who prefer something off the beaten track. The manual-wind calibre, co-axial escapement, and historically grounded design language give it genuine horological credibility without the premium pricing attached to Seamaster 300 references.

May's watch choice is consistent with his publicly stated appreciation for things that are well-engineered rather than merely expensive or fashionable. The fact that his Top Gear colleague Jeremy Clarkson has been spotted wearing the same reference adds an unplanned coordination that fans of the show will find amusing. Two presenters, one watch — arrived at independently, apparently.

At retail, the Railmaster XXL listed in the region of $4,200 USD before being discontinued, making grey market examples — where available — a relatively accessible entry point into a piece of genuine Omega history with a manual-wind co-axial movement.