Hi guys! I have been thinking about relative value regarding watches for some time now, and I buy watches on that basis as well. With this I mean that I choose to buy the watch in a given "family" or range of similar watches that I find relatively cheap. I have for a long time really liked the look of Ranchero and Omegas with similar looking dials (Railmaster and "Seachero" for example). I then finally found a 2937-1 Seamaster, or "Seachero" that looks a lot like Ranchero but costed me 2k eur, Compared to Rancheros that I believe is in the range 5k-10k+ eur for decent condition and better. I have then really thought about why they are so much cheaper... To mee it seems a bit illogical. First of all, I find the case of 2937 more attractive than 2990, where I think 2990 looks like a polished 2937. Second of all, I find the 2937 dial more attractive, because indexes are not only applied on top of the dial as on 2990, and thereby get a more elegant look. Third of all, the 2937 "Seachero" seems to be much more rare, at least I find 2990s for sale way more often than 2937 "Seachero"... So, why is 2990 Ranchero so much more expensive than 2937? To mee it should be the other way arround. Both are very similar but to mee 2937 is more attractive and rare. Ranchero more often comes with BA hands which of course is attractive but 2937 comes with those as well some times.... Please educate me! My 2937-1 "Seachero" 2990 Ranchero from Shucktheoyster (this example have BA hands, but there are both kinds)
To each his own. The values in the market don’t always make sense. How about valuing a small underline, dot or discreptancy for thousands of dollars. The craziness is fun! The Ranchero is considered the “4th musketeer” to the trilogy, so that accounts for quite a bit of the cache. By the way there are also 2990 Seamasters which can be quite attractive and affordable.
Thanks for your answer! I can agree that the market can be crazy some times, pricing an underline to thousands of dollars. However, in that case, and in general I believe there is a quite clear correlation between attractiveness/design, rarity and condition. A gilt sub is more expensive than a matte one (assuming similar condition), but than an underline or whatever will make it a rarer version of a gilt sub (for example) and than more expensive.
Yes. What do you mean? Within a certain model/range, I just said that rareness or uncommonness or what you would like to call it, is a positive factor for the price... You dont agree?
Not always. Transitional Speedy vs Ed White for example. I’d rather have a Ranchero than a gilt Sub even though it’s worth a lot less and much more uncommon. I’m also one of the crazies who prefer the 2990 case to the 2937. See how this doesn’t make sense
Ok I think I follow I know little abt speedy but would expect Ed White to be more expensive due to looks and that it is from a more rare era in general than transitional that looks a lot like 145.012 and 145.022 around 70. Hence, I expect straight lugs speedy to be more expensive than whire lugs, and that transitional will be more expensive than 69, that is more expensive to later version etc. However, I think it is tricky to compare a Ranchero to a gilt sub to be honest. It makes more sense to compare a transitional speedy to an Ed White, a gilt sub to a matte sub, a Ranchero to a Seachero. That is at least how I view it. In my world, pricing will be in "cluster" e.g. Whire lugs vs straight, gilt vs matte etc etc, and than there will be variations within the clusters based on design and rarity. Than of course there will be exeptions... Maybe the mayority, like you, just prefer the design of 2990 over 2937 I have a hard to to believe pricing is just random...
Wow that is beautyful! Congrats! I did not mean to say that Ranchero is common, or anything else than awesome! I just think it is strange that they are more than twise as expensive as 2937
I think you are right. I think a seachero like yours is a steal at 2k. To me, both are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I have no idea about rarity, but I prefer my 2990 Seachero, prefer the dial without the Ranchero-text. I think it looks cleaner
The double signed Ranchero Seamaster made for the German market would appear to be rarer than the 2996-1 Photo courtesy of Alex @visionvintagewatches
IMHO it is the Broad Arrow hands that are the biggest factor in the Ranchero’s popularity. The 2990 case is a dream on the wrist too and the overall look of the Ranchero is so cool.( though of course I’m a little biased ) It’s rare but not that rare, I have 117 currently listed on my records. Always looking for more Ranchero details should anyone want to share their details (Shameless plug, sorry )
BA and the dial I guess? Either way it is a beautiful model. The case really surprised me, I´ve never had a 2990 before. Wears really flat on the wrist. And I would love to have BAs on mine, but my knowledge can not be used to judge originality. I guess original BAs cost a pretty penny?
They do turn up occasionally but be careful to get the correct set. The last set I saw sold for around €800 but who knows you may get lucky