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Help buying a ranchero, all opinions welcome (and much needed)

SC1
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sathomasga sathomasga
Just brainstorming crazy ideas for now, but if you have your heart set on a Ranchero, but want something immediate to tide you over until you can find the real thing, Timex (of all brands?!) has a Railmaster homage that actually doesn't look bad. Not everyone is okay with a homage, but maybe Timex is a legit enough brand to be cut a little slack. I dunno how your fiancee would feel about it, but you did say "all thoughts are welcome" in the original post.

TW2V44000.png

I saw this recently, along with a couple other of Timex's clones...
pretty weird what they're doing I must say.
The radio chatter I had seen on Timex a year or two ago was that they were trying to make a true comeback but lately this just looks like they have given up and hired someone to scout watch forums for what's popular and/or spendy and visually clone it with - I'm guessing - shit parts.
 
DaveK
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P Pleco3000
Thank you everyone for your sage advice. I must admit I hadn’t thought about the radium, it’s something I should read more about and get an opinion on!…

As you’ll read about it, the danger of Radium seems to be as much about science as it is personal preference. There are a few threads where this is discussed in detail, and it would be good for you to check out if you have a growing interest in vintage watches and will be sharing a home with someone. Check out this one and others https://omegaforums.net/threads/wearing-radium.125431/
Edited:
 
P
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Syzygy Syzygy
@gbesq explained it much more eloquently than I could have. The 'light and ghostly' you notice, you're on the right track...compare it to the fine example he posted and you'll spot honest aging/patina right away in comparison. I'd also bet that case has seen some polish wheel time as well.

+1 to the modern Railmaster suggestion. I love mine! It's not a Ranchero, but it scratches that itch quite well.
IMG_0193.jpg

it’s a really nice watch! This might have to be an alternative. Thanks for your tips!
 
Sa Calobra
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Going forward I'd also recommend reading the actual sales post at C24, one of them had this description; 'Repainted Black Dial'

But to make your life even easier -

Screenshot 2023-02-01 at 17.33.40.png
 
Sa Calobra
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I cannot see the video but I guess you're referring to the 12k sale of a London dealer. To me that's off the charts. I've seen good examples being sold for 5500 euros recently, but they were gone in a few hours (so perhaps offered a bit too cheap). At the same time I've seen this example (https://www.chrono24.nl/omega/1960s-ranchero-ref-2990-mint--id9733431.htm) being available for months now, which leads me to believe that the valuation lies somewhere in between.
 
gbesq
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Sa Calobra Sa Calobra
I cannot see the video but I guess you're referring to the 12k sale of a London dealer. To me that's off the charts. I've seen good examples being sold for 5500 euros recently, but they were gone in a few hours (so perhaps offered a bit too cheap). At the same time I've seen this example (https://www.chrono24.nl/omega/1960s-ranchero-ref-2990-mint--id9733431.htm) being available for months now, which leads me to believe that the valuation lies somewhere in between.
The reason that the Chrono24 example has been available for months is probably that the hands and dial have been relumed and the subsecond hand is incorrect.
 
Sa Calobra
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I stand corrected 😀 With the scarcity in this model it's hard to put a ceiling on the price- but I'd have a hard time going beyond 7.5k EUR. But its up your preference.
 
tritto
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So what's a relumed Ranchero, like the one above on Chrono24 worth then?
 
gbesq
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tritto tritto
So what's a relumed Ranchero, like the one above on Chrono24 worth then?
The short answer is whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
 
tritto
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gbesq gbesq
The short answer is whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
Entirely true, @gbesq. My Ranchero is somewhat similar to the Chrono24 one, in that it is correct but the dial and hands have been relumed (it came to me with the lume scraped off). I've never been sure how that effects it's potential value - not that I'm in the market to sell, but it's good to have some idea.
 
Syzygy
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bikerfox bikerfox
what does the phrase "2+4" mean?
I believe he's saying pictures 2 and 4 are blurry...and suggesting to ask for clear pictures with the hands set to 9:15 so they are clear of all script on the dial in order to really scrutinize everything. Clear focused pictures are the best you can ask for, aside from having it in hand and using a loupe to closely inspect the fine details. With a piece like a vintage Ranchero, especially if they are claiming it to be all original, and the prices they demand, it's incredibly important to inspect every detail as closely as possible before shelling out your hard earned cash...you want to be sure of what you are getting yourself into.

That goes for anything vintage, but especially so when you're dealing with pieces that demand a premium due to scarcity.
 
gbesq
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As for valuation, I would say that a Ranchero with an original dial, handset and case would sell for 4.5k-8k USD in a private sale depending upon condition. A dealer would obviously charge more. That being said, unworn collector quality examples can go for much more. There was a white dialed version listed by a dealer a few months ago, the asking price was 20k USD and it sold quickly. Given the scarcity of original Ranchero examples, and the fact that Rancheros are still less expensive than any of the original 1957 trilogy watches, I think that good original examples have quite a lot of room left to appreciate. Not the primary reason that I would buy one, but it's a nice bonus for what is already a very desirable watch.
 
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