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Help with my fathers Ranchero

E
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Thanks for the add, I have some questions for the group in regards to this watch.

284
S/N 16851338
2996 1 SC

it was given to me by my mother about 15 years back. I’m just now looking into restoring it. She gave it to my father for his birthday on June 21, 1960. It’s in pretty rough shape as he wore it daily being a farmer up until the late 80’s. It seems to have been serviced regularly, looks to been serviced about 10 times according to the stamps on the back

Can someone confirm the year made? Originally purchased in Canada

Crystal obviously needs to be replaced, but what about the dial face? Should I leave it with patina or have it cleaned?

After restoration/servicing what would you place as a insurance value? It’s still working by the way

From what I’ve been able to find as reference online, I’m not seeing any white dials, only black. Is the white more rare?

Thanks everyone, looking forward to comments and suggestions.
 
7DEC559E-1311-4EA0-B0B1-1D755C634521.jpeg 764ABB81-905A-4131-81B8-F15A43985D9A.jpeg B483830F-1D87-43C1-8777-749D4038578D.jpeg 2B4DC20E-D999-4B0C-A812-09715CC836FB.jpeg 3108DDE5-525D-4140-AFD7-AB3CDEBD2865.jpeg 40AB7035-F38F-45F3-8B01-7FD1B9749A6D.jpeg 1410135D-6CAC-4ADC-AAF0-E5CD775D03B8.jpeg
josiahg52
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Service the movement. The dial can be "cleaned" as necessary but NOT refinished by a competent watchmaker. The crystal requires replacement. The good news is the dial may be better than it looks because the crystal is pretty rough. A competent watchmaker can make the case look very good without completely obliterating the factory lines and removing all the honest wear.
 
X350 XJR
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Don't touch that dial (look it up)! Seriously, I wouldn't even attempt to clean it in any way, nothing good is likely to come from it.

Service the movement, have the case ultrasonically cleaned, do not allow it anywhere near a buffer.

Replace the crystal, wear and enjoy.

Nothing good will come from any kind of "restoration".

Serial number dates to 1959. Value will depend in large part on the condition of the dial, which we won't know until the crystal has been replaced.

Give us your location for recommendations on where to service.
 
E
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josiahg52 josiahg52
Service the movement. The dial can be "cleaned" as necessary but NOT refinished by a competent watchmaker. The crystal requires replacement. The good news is the dial may be better than it looks because the crystal is pretty rough. A competent watchmaker can make the case look very good without completely obliterating the factory lines and removing all the honest wear.
Like you mentioned, I’m hoping the dial looks better than what it does. Being a farmer, my Dad was around a lot of dust. He also welded a lot, but I don’t see any spark damage on the crystal so assuming he at least took it off during that. Thanks again for your comments
 
E
Posts
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8
X350 XJR X350 XJR
Don't touch that dial (look it up)! Seriously, I wouldn't even attempt to clean it in any way, nothing good is likely to come from it.

Service the movement, have the case ultrasonically cleaned, do not allow it anywhere near a buffer.

Replace the crystal, wear and enjoy.

Nothing good will come from any kind of "restoration".

Serial number dates to 1959. Value will depend in large part on the condition of the dial, which we won't know until the crystal has been replaced.

Give us your location for recommendations on where to service.
Appreciate your comments & suggestions. That was going to be my next question, where should I send it? I currently live in Alberta, Canada but winter for 6 months in Nevada, near Las Vegas. Either location would work, Canada or the US.
Thanks again, I really appreciate the help and good to know it was made in 1959.
 
X350 XJR
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Our very own Omega certified watchmaker Al Archer, @Archer is in Canada.
 
gbesq
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E emlphoto
Thanks for the add, I have some questions for the group in regards to this watch.

284
S/N 16851338
2996 1 SC

it was given to me by my mother about 15 years back. I’m just now looking into restoring it. She gave it to my father for his birthday on June 21, 1960. It’s in pretty rough shape as he wore it daily being a farmer up until the late 80’s. It seems to have been serviced regularly, looks to been serviced about 10 times according to the stamps on the back

Can someone confirm the year made? Originally purchased in Canada

Crystal obviously needs to be replaced, but what about the dial face? Should I leave it with patina or have it cleaned?

After restoration/servicing what would you place as a insurance value? It’s still working by the way

From what I’ve been able to find as reference online, I’m not seeing any white dials, only black. Is the white more rare?

Thanks everyone, looking forward to comments and suggestions.
The serial number would date it to 1958-1959. Attempting to clean the dial will risk damaging it. An authentic Ranchero in original serviceable condition is a rare find. Depending upon how well the watch cleans up, I would value the watch in the $4,000 to $6,000 USD range for insurance purposes. The white dialed versions are rarer than the black dialed versions. This watch needs a sympathetic service from a skilled watchmaker with an Omega parts account and I expect that it will clean up nicely. Restoring and wearing it will be a real tribute to your father. Given that your father was a farmer, you may find it interesting to Google the history of the Ranchero. I think that you'll be intrigued by what you find.
Edited:
 
E
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X350 XJR X350 XJR
Our very own Omega certified watchmaker Al Archer, @Archer is in Canada.
Thanks again, I’ll definitely reach out to Al Archer, appreciate the help.
 
E
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gbesq gbesq
Given that your father was a farmer, you may find it interesting to Google the history of the Ranchero. I think that you'll be intrigued by what you find.
Yes, I had came across the history earlier & found it quite applicable, ironically speaking. Looking forward to getting this watch up and running, only wished I had done so earlier. Thanks again, this group & its members has been very helpful
 
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